Creating A Safe Space
Have you ever had "one of those days?" What about "one of those moments?" For those of us in recovery and healing, knowing how to handle challenging days and moments is an essential part of our recovery and healing journey. And it's much better than having One of Those Days! like Limp Biscuit. Having a safe space at home can help alleviate stress and calm our nerves while promoting and maintaining a positive mindset. It's also a perfect place to go when you're experiencing a trigger.
Where Do I Begin?
Pick A Spot
If you don't have an extra room, that's okay. Some of us may need to be a bit creative. Before I became an empty-nester, I had my favorite comfy chair in a quiet spot of my house. I knew someone who used a walk-in closet. Someone else used their bathroom, and another person used their car. It's whatever works for you right now. The important thing is that it's quiet, peaceful, and comfortable.
Make it Neat
Now that you picked your safe space take some time to make it neat. A clean space leads to a calm mind. If you need to do some decluttering, now is a great opportunity. If decluttering feels overwhelming, do it a little at a time. Create SMART goals, so it doesn't feel like such a huge task. Chunk it down.
Green Zone
After you've ensured you have a quiet, neat spot to call your own, bring in some Mother Nature to help set the mood. This can be helpful, especially if your spot has limited natural lighting. If you don't have a green thumb, that's okay. You can bring faux plants and flowers to help set the mood for tranquility.
Make it Yours
Adding things that make your heart smile can add a more meaningful connection to your safe space and help calm you during those challenging moments.
Be sure to add things like your favorite pictures and keepsakes.
You can use this safe space to keep your recovery and healing go-bag, a vision board, whiteboard, or bulletin board on which to hang your affirmation cards, lyrics, poems, and sayings.
If possible, you can use soothing colors, such as beige, soft blue, and green, to promote calm feelings and help your anxiety.
Engage Your Senses
Creating a safe space that engages your spaces can help tie everything together. You can include aromatherapy through essential oils, candles, and even lotion. Use calming scents like lavender, eucalyptus, or chamomile… you can be like me and have watermelon and apple. Have soft lighting if possible and play soft music or soothing sounds like rain sounds or ocean waves. Have a soft blanket or pillow that can provide comfort and warmth, a journal, some books for relaxation or dedicated recovery and healing time, and even a fan to help cool you down if a trigger has caused you to get anxious and sweat.
Your safe space can grow and evolve with your recovery and healing. You can use it to maintain a schedule for self-care, step-work, and meditation, practice boundaries (making it a no-social-media, no-email zone), and practice your grounding techniques. Be sure to respect your safe space, always enter into it with good intentions, and ask other people to do the same.
Creating your safe space isn't just about the environment; it's about nurturing a mindset of peace and comfort. What works for one person may not work for another, so tailor it to your needs and preferences.
If you have any questions, please let me know. I answer my emails, with no strings attached. I’m here to help!
Sending everyone happy and healthy vibes,
Laura
