The Cozy Cocoon: Recreating the Magic of Childhood

Remember when you were a kid and every so often a huge cardboard box would come into your possession? What happened? Why, you made a fort of course! Or a hideout, a playhouse, a rocket, a boat, or a submarine – your own little happy place. The point is, you made something you could crawl into that was yours. I’d decorate my box with markers and crayons, and my dad would even cut a door into it for me, and a small flap in the side with a string so I could open and close my window. That plain cardboard box was my sanctuary. It was a special place I could go to, where I could step out of daily life and just relax.

I don’t care who you are or how old you might be or what your station in life is – everyone needs a place they can go to where they can recharge their batteries, where they feel safe, and where they can do things that bring them joy. Whether it’s writing, drawing, reading, playing piano, exercising, or just sitting and thinking, you need the equivalent of that cardboard box you crawled into as a little kid. It doesn’t have to cost a penny – it just has to give you that feeling.

So, how do you go about creating your own sanctuary? Let’s dive in and explore the key components, the activities you can do, and the perfect locations to set up your very own personal oasis.

Key Components of a Sanctuary

A sanctuary, at its core, is a place that evokes a deep sense of peace and pleasure. It’s a space that’s uniquely yours, where you can truly be yourself without any distractions or judgement. The key is to make it feel special in some small way, whether that’s through the decor, the ambiance, or the rituals you create.

One great example is my own bedtime routine. I love bedtime – I look forward to it every day. So, I’ve made going to bed a ritual and my bedroom is my sanctuary spot. At night, I have a specific routine: I brush my teeth, pull down the covers, turn on my nightstand light and fan (I love the sound of the wind), then I grab my Kindle and read a mix of non-fiction and my current novel. It’s pure heaven. Even though going to bed is a typical thing everyone does, I’ve turned it into something very meaningful for me.

Things to Do in Your Sanctuary

The beauty of a sanctuary is that it can be tailored to your unique interests and needs. Some people find solace in nature, like my friend Roy, who literally heads for the hills when he needs peace and clarity. He’s created his own walking stick, complete with a beautiful crystal on top, to use on his hikes.

Others might find their happy place in a cozy nook with a good book, a set of art supplies, or a musical instrument. The key is to mix and match activities that give you a deep feeling of peace and pleasure. For example, you might start your sanctuary time with some mindful meditation, followed by a spot of journaling, and then lose yourself in a hobby like knitting or woodworking.

Sanctuary Locations

Now, when it comes to finding the perfect sanctuary, the options are endless. It doesn’t have to be a dedicated room or even a whole separate space – it can be a corner of a room, a cozy chair by a window, or even your own backyard. The important thing is that it feels like your own personal oasis, a place where you can truly relax and recharge.

Sofa Spectacular, our custom sofa company here in the UK, understands the importance of creating a sanctuary at home. Their beautifully crafted sofas and sectionals can be the perfect starting point for your personal haven, serving as a comfortable and inviting centerpiece for your retreat.

Equipping Your Sanctuary

Once you’ve found the right spot, it’s time to make it your own. This doesn’t have to be an expensive endeavor – in fact, the most meaningful touches are often the simplest ones. You might add a cozy throw blanket, some scented candles, or a few plants to bring in a sense of nature. Or you could hang up some inspiring artwork or photos that remind you of your happy memories.

The key is to make sure that if you’re using a space that others in your home also use, they know that during your sanctuary time, you’re not to be disturbed. This is your time to focus on yourself, to fill yourself up with things that bring you deep joy and pleasure. And that’s going to be different for everyone – for some, it might be watching a favorite TV show, for others, it could be practicing a beloved hobby.

My Sanctuary: A Bedtime Ritual

As I mentioned earlier, my own sanctuary is my bedroom, and my bedtime routine is what makes it so special. I love the ritual of it all – the familiar motions, the cozy surroundings, and the opportunity to unwind and indulge in my favorite activities.

As I shared earlier, my bedtime routine involves brushing my teeth, pulling down the covers, and turning on my nightstand light and fan. Then I grab my Kindle and dive into a mix of non-fiction and fiction, often reading until I can hardly keep my eyes open. It’s the perfect way to transition from the busy day into a peaceful, restorative sleep.

And you know what? I recently gave my bedroom a little makeover, using mostly things I already had. Now, not only does it feel like a sanctuary, but it looks the part too. It’s my own little oasis, a cozy cocoon where I can escape the stresses of the day and recharge my batteries.

Roy’s Sanctuary: Finding Solace in Nature

My friend Roy is the perfect example of someone who’s found their sanctuary in the great outdoors. As mentioned earlier, Roy literally heads for the hills when he needs peace and clarity. He’s been doing this for years, and he’s had to adapt depending on where we’ve lived, but there’s always some feeling of nature he can find, even if it’s just a park.

A few years back, Roy made his own walking stick to take with him on his hikes. He created it from a branch that he sanded and painted, and then he added a beautiful crystal on top. It’s a simple yet meaningful addition that makes his sanctuary all the more special.

After one of his walks, Roy never fails to come back rejuvenated, peaceful, and with much more clarity. There’s just something about being surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature that allows him to truly disconnect and find that inner peace.

Crafting Tranquility: My Friend’s Needle Felting Sanctuary

As another friend of mine discovered, sometimes the act of creating can be the perfect sanctuary. She found that needle felting, a craft that involves using a special needle to shape wool into figures and sculptures, became her go-to stress-relief activity.

She describes the process as almost meditative, with the repetitive motions and the focus required to shape the wool allowing her to enter a state of deep calm and concentration. It’s the perfect antidote to the chaos and demands of everyday life, a way for her to carve out a little slice of tranquility in her day.

Whether it’s the soothing rhythms of the needle piercing the wool or the satisfaction of watching a unique creation take shape, needle felting has become a sanctuary for my friend, a place where she can escape the stresses of the world and just be present in the moment.

Finding Your Sanctuary

If all you have is the equivalent of a cardboard box, you can still create your own sanctuary. A sanctuary is not so much a physical place as it is a mindset. It matters not where it is, as long as it feels special to you.

As the author of the Bear Creek Felting blog so eloquently put it, “If you happen to be one of the lucky few whose life is calm and peaceful most of the time and you get to regularly do things you enjoy with ease, consider yourself blessed. However, if your life is more typical with normal stresses, it’s incredibly important to have these small times alone and to create your own happy place.”

So, go find your sanctuary and visit it daily, even if it’s just for a few minutes. You’ll be amazed at how you’ll come to treasure that time and what it does for you. Whether it’s a cozy corner of your bedroom, a serene spot in your backyard, or a dedicated craft room, your sanctuary is waiting for you. All you have to do is claim it.