ISSUE NO. 02 | March 21, 2025
There is a quiet longing I’ve noticed lately — in myself, in the women I speak with, and perhaps in you. A longing for sanctuary. Not just a place to retreat, but a space that holds, nurtures, and repairs what the world so often these days seems to fray.
I’ve been paying close attention to ease for the last 10 months - its been a personal journey of deeper "work" — how ease feels in my body, what brings it alive, and what softens my energy - my Self-energy. And I’ve found, again and again, that Nature is a most faithful ally in this personal work. The rustle of leaves, the scent of fresh soil, the feel of sunlight warming skin, the first scents of spring in the air — these are not luxuries for me (nor you), they are Nature's "essential workers" - magic and medicines for our nervous system and our soul's care.
When we design and style the spaces we live and work in, we are shaping the atmosphere that surrounds us daily. The textures, colors, scents, and forms we choose either heighten our tension or help us settle and feel grounded. When we marry intentional design from the heart - what I refer to in my design and coaching practice as Sanctuary Self - with the wisdom of science (neuroaesthetics, environmental), we create more than just another pretty space — We. Create. Wellbeing.
We take control of our Joy.
Science whispers what the heart already knows:
Being in connection with nature reduces stress hormones and supports nervous system repair. Research has shown that spending just 20 minutes in a natural environment can lower your cortisol levels and ease blood pressure.
Time in green spaces improves mood and reduces anxiety. Studies from the University of Michigan for instance reveal that walking in nature reduces rumination — the repetitive, negative thought cycles that fuel stress and depression.
Daily exposure to natural elements increases immune function and heart health. Forest bathing studies in Japan demonstrate increased natural killer cell activity (our body's disease-fighting cells) after time spent among trees.
I share these not to overwhelm with data, but to anchor the intuitive knowing you already hold: Nature is restorative. It mends the frayed edges of our being.
Imagine if you brought regularity to this connection in the spaces you inhabit and your wellness practices…
So how do we begin? Let’s start small, easy, with gentle acts of restoration for Sanctuary:
Place a small vase of fresh flowers on your desk or beside your bed. Studies show fresh flowers are mood-boosting and they emit higher frequencies that we can align with.
Open your blinds and a window to let fresh air and birdsong into your morning routine.
Light a candle in the evening with intention — invite softness and release.
Stand barefoot on the earth - called "grounding" - even for just a moment to connect with Mother Earth and take positive benefit from the electromagnetic waves.
These aren't frivolous actions. They are sacred micro-rituals of Self-care. Sanctuary Self-care.
And then, as you feel ready, you can begin to look more deeply at the spaces you inhabit:
In your home, ask: What here soothes me? What overstimulates? Consider soft, natural textiles, rounded forms, and gentle, organic color palettes - indoors and in your garden spaces.
In your workplace, even if small: Add a living plant, a piece of nature-based art that inspires calm and triggers positive memories, or a simple bowl of stones or shells from a meaningful place.
In your garden, create a small corner for rest and reflection. A moveable, comfortable chair beneath a tree or in partial sunlight, a winding path that slows your pace, and fragrant plants and herbs you can touch and smell.
You don’t need to change everything overnight. Sanctuary is built slowly, intentionally, layer by layer, with love and reverence for you and your connection with the healing and sacred that you can know as Nature.
And perhaps, most importantly, creating sanctuary — in your home, your garden, and within yourself — is not just personal. It is an act of quiet rebellion and resistance against the external chaos. It is a reclamation of your peace, your space, your breath - your sovereignty. Joy. (And you know about the research findings about joy, right?)
I hope you’ll allow yourself this gift - of ease that comes with Sanctuary.
And as always, I’ll be here, a gentle voice and guide, offering small steps, sacred beauty, and the wisdom that Nature has always had at the ready for us: you are meant to feel safe, held, and whole. So, design as though you matter...because you and your peace in this world most certainly do.
If you’re craving personalized guidance, explore the Sanctuary Garden Design Mentorship — enrollment open now. Your Sanctuary is waiting.
Thank you for gifting me your time. Until next, take good care of your precious Self,
. . .
P.S. When you're ready for more Sanctuary in your life for ease, peace, beauty in the world, book your 20-minute complimentary Sanctuary Discovery Call and we'll chat about ideas and options to nurture and nourish more Sanctuary within and around you.
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