There comes a moment when a space stops fitting who you are becoming.
Not because it’s ugly. Not because it’s broken. But because it carries an old rhythm — and you’ve grown beyond it.
Recently I transformed my home office / art studio. I wish I had taken a before photo - because wow. It was a hot mess.
But the after?
Organized. Beautiful. Functional.
And something more.
Aligned.
Reclaiming Space
I’ve been living in this apartment for over three years now - ever since my ex-husband and I separated. One of the things I’ve truly enjoyed about living as a single woman is the freedom to live unconventionally. Rent in Denver is… not cheap. So I’ve made my one-bedroom work for me by using my living room not as a living room - but as my art studio. Sometimes it’s been my office. Sometimes it’s been both. I’ve rearranged it more than once over the years.
But this time?
This new layout finally feels right.
For this transformation, I kept my two cozy chairs but moved them in front of my bookcase. I turned the bookcase surface into an altar - adorned with a flowering orchid, of course.
I also experimented with my worktables, arranging them into an “L” shape. I wasn’t sure it would work, but I decided to try it.
And I love the result.
More surface space. Better traffic flow to the balcony. Less friction when I move through the room. My laptop and laser printer have officially moved out of my bedroom and back into the living room - I mean, my studio. And within days, I noticed something subtle but profound.
I’m sitting down to write more easily. Drawing without resistance. Feeling calmer when I walk into the room. Even my two cats, Yulee and Fidget, have more room to play.
Sometimes the Shift Isn’t About How a Space Looks
Sometimes the transformation isn’t about how a space looks. It’s about how it holds you. Our environments communicate with our nervous systems before our minds catch up. Clutter can create low-level tension. Poor layout creates friction. Disorganization drains creative energy.
But intentional design?
It supports flow.
When a space is arranged thoughtfully - when it reflects who you are becoming - your body relaxes. And creativity moves in more easily.
What Is a Creative Sanctuary?
A creative santuay is not about square footage. It’s not about perfection. It’s not about aesthetic trends. It’s about alignment.
It’s a space that honors your inner life. A space that reduces friction instead of creating it. A space that invites the muse instead of begging her. A space that reflects the woman you are becoming - not the one you used to be.
For me, this sanctuary now includes:
An orchid altar.
Tables positioned for expansion.
Clear surfaces.
Intentional flow.
And room to breathe.
This space will support me as I continue writing my memoir and begin a new series of paintings.
It is not just organized. It is consecrated.
If You’re Craving Your Own Sanctuary…
You don’t need a full renovation. You need intention.
Here are a few gentle prompts to consider:
What space in your home feels chaotic or tense?
What would make it 10% more supportive?
What can be cleared?
What could become an altar - even a small one?
What version of you needs a seat at the table?
Start small.
Move one piece of furniture.
Clear one surface.
Light one candle.
A creative sanctuary for the soul isn’t about aesthetics. It’s about building an environment that supports your becoming. This new layout isn’t just practical. It is a declaration. A space that supports the woman I’m becoming.
Create boldly. Live beautifully.