3 Steps to Personal Space Freedom

The article below by Vanessa Burke was featured on www.streamingfaith.com May 2010. You can still find it under their Women's category on the News page. If it blesses you, will you please take a moment to comment and tell me about it? And be sure to pass the goodies along! Thanks in advance.

Do you come home and still feel as if you are at work? Do you see clutter everywhere? Do you have to search for peace in your home? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you need to get personal!


How, you ask? By creating your very own “personal space” in your home (and daring anyone to go near it). Everyone needs a break, not only from work, but from other people – yourself included if you cannot seem to stop talking or if your brain is a non-stop machine – even from life in general. There are enough pressures in an average person’s day to cause mental and emotional damage, sometimes leading to physical challenges as well. Creating a place solely for yourself is a great escape to peace. Try these three steps to personal space freedom:

Step One:

Prepare for the creation of your space. Just start by asking yourself what you like to get your creative juices flowing. Here are a few example questions:

What’s my favorite color?

What types of publications do I like to read? (Books, magazines, newspapers, etc.)

What relaxes me, and where do I feel most relaxed in the home?

You will need to assess how much space you have to work with. A corner in your bedroom or even your kitchen may suffice, or if you have it, an entire room. Only place items in your space that you love (at the very least, that you like). Scatter things about that bring pleasant memories to mind; hang inspirational phrases in bold colors on the walls or wherever you will see them; and think about what you will need while you are there so you don’t have to keep getting up (e.g. your favorite CDs, paper, pens, eye patches if you simply need to sleep in your space for a quick power nap).

Step Two:

Explain the importance of your personal space to everyone in the home. You also need to get their commitment to respect it as yours and yours alone, and to commit to allowing you time alone when you are there (whether they can physically see you or not). OK. Now, this last request may be a challenge if you have little people, as in 1-6 year olds. This may take an extra commitment from another to strap them down somewhere while you relax (just kidding!) Seriously, figure out what works in your home. Your kids may surprise you and allow you the space and time away from them for a few minutes a day, especially if they know it will make Mommy a much happier person, which results in a happier, fun household for all. Tell them how it will benefit them – extra play time, a special treat, extra bonus points earned towards rewards, etc.

Step Three:

Commit to actually going to your personal space on a very regular basis. Daily is ideal, but let’s face it, we don’t live in a perfect world, so that might not be realistic. Even if you only have 10 minutes, just go. It could make the difference in a peaceful evening with your family or an extra charge of creativity you need for a home project or even for a work assignment. You could just day dream in your space. The point is to relax and to refresh. It’s about being personal.