What Makes a House a Home

There are many things I love about being an illustrator that I wouldn’t trade for anything else in the world. Now, I’m not trying to boast, but I am truly grateful that I get to use my creativity on a daily basis, read about fascinating new topics, and bring stories to life with my artwork.  For a hermit like me who enjoys her solitude, it’s a great setup. But what I love most of all is that I have the opportunity to work from the comfort of my home.

Home is a feeling.

A few weeks ago, my daughter and I moved into our new apartment, and we’re finally feeling settled in enough to enjoy our new space. While most of the unpacking is complete and all the utilities are working as they should, transforming it into a quiet refuge from the outside world will take some time and patience. But it’s not a problem; I love transforming spaces into nurturing havens of comfort, warmth, and coziness. It’s my jam.

You see, most of my childhood I lived in houses that lacked the support, care, and love one needs to thrive, and I know too well the damage it can do to one’s well-being.  Such spaces drain your energy, ruin your health, and rob your vitality.  You eventually become a shell—like the house you occupy—of yourself, a person living with their eyes and heart closed in a home where there is no warmth.

Our homes are extensions of ourselves.

To thrive and be our most authentic selves, our home must be a sacred space, not just a residence where we keep our things and sleep.  It should be our refuge, where we go to restore our spirits and reprieve from the harshness of the outside world. It’s where we have can let our hair down and remove the invisible armor we wear in public spaces.  It’s where we should feel safe, nurtured, and comforted so we can learn, grow, and realize our full potential. And since most of us spend the majority of our time in our homes, making sure that it’s a comforting space that we can escape to should be paramount.

To live in a loving and peaceful world,

then it must begin in the home.

Our homes can be sacred spaces that fill our cups, or they can be large containers that we only use to store our things. Only when we’ve poured our love, attention, and care into our dwellings—including the people within—does it truly become a home.  And if we can succeed in making a loving and safe space for ourselves and our loved ones, then it’s possible that we can have the courage to extend our hearts out to others, too.

So, I must ask, is your home a sacred space?