While I’ve spent nearly a year in London (split into a few visits), I still feel a bit like this isn’t my home sometimes. When I close my eyes and think of “my bed” or “my bath” or “my room,” the mental images conjured up are over 4000 miles away. One of the ways I’ve managed to transform my perception of this house into my/our house is to carve out a space for myself. It’s important to have a space of your own. Some people live alone, which means their entire home is theirs. Others share space with their partners, families, or roommates. Those in committed relationships might not even have a bedroom to call their own. What then? You still must find a space that is yours and yours alone. You need to have a sanctuary you can retreat to when you want to rest, recharge, or simply quietly gather your thoughts. I certainly do anyway.
My space is a corner of a bedroom, where I have three shelves of a bookcase and a little 32×18” desk. My space is decorated with a quill pen, a glass Tree of Life paperweight, some candles, blue paper chains left over from holiday crafting draped over a curtained window, and an Anne Stokes snow globe. When I work on my laptop, I enjoy my wrist cushions which feature Claude Monet’s Waterlilies. I hope to upgrade my space with a cushion for my folding chair (or even a proper gaming chair) and a little rug.
A related idea is having a special place to go to feel more connected to yourself and the world. For me, that would be a forested park or garden. Abney Park Cemetery and Queen Mary’s Rose Garden in Regent’s Park are two amazing places that always give me that special feeling of connection. The trees and flowers and tidy (or not-so-tidy) paths take me away from the oppression of living in a big city. As long as I have an umbrella for shade, I’m happy to wander outside in the cool English weather.
Here are this week’s suggestions for fun and enriching activities:
- Relaxing Music: “Thanksgiving” by George Winston from the album Winter. You can listen to it here on YouTube or find the album on Amazon or streaming.
- Soothing Sounds: “A Stay at the Cozy Babblebrook Inn” by Goodnight Moon. Her ASMR videos are so soothing and beautiful.
- Puzzle: Countdown. You can find the game here. Try to make the longest word you can using the letters provided. I really enjoy the UK show 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown for a humorous spin on the game.
- Movie: The Princess Bride (1987). You can find it on Amazon or on a streaming service.
- Creative Prompt (write, draw, paint, sculpt, photograph, or collage something based on this subject): masks
- Mythology Lesson: Hebe. Read about her here, and do a little further research if the mood takes you!
- Short Reading: “The Babes in the Wood.” You can read the sad little poem here – complete with illustrations – or listen to it on YouTube.
Try one per day, and you’ll be on your way to enjoying a more vibrant week.
Have you tried any of the weekly or monthly suggestions? What do you do to enrich your life in little ways?
Magical Musings 