By Dena Betti
Let’s talk about sacred spaces
Not the kind with altars or incense sticks you feel pressured to light just right (unless that’s your thing, then light them up). For me, my sacred space isn’t a room in my house, it’s outside in my garden. It’s the soil beneath my hands, the wind on my face, the quiet rhythm of nature that reminds me I’m still alive. That’s where my soul exhales.
Sacred space doesn’t have to be perfectly styled or tucked away in a cozy corner. It’s about intention. It’s about creating or claiming a place, inside or out, where you can return to yourself. Raw, real, worn out, lit up, whatever version of you shows up that day.
Because let’s be honest, life will knock the wind out of you sometimes (a lot of times). And in those moments, having a space to land, to breathe, to reconnect with your strength? That matters more than any throw pillow.
Why You Need a Sacred Space
When everything outside feels loud and shaky, your sacred space whispers, “Come home.”
It rewires your nervous system. Helps you shift from survival mode to stillness. It’s where you stretch your heart open after it’s been clenched too long. Where you remember that healing isn’t a finish line, it’s a process, one breath, one pause, one intention at a time.
The truth is, you don’t need a picture-perfect, magazine-worthy space. You simply need a place that reflects who you are.
Start Small, Start Real
Don’t overthink this. Start with what you have.
That chair by the window? Perfect. The nook beside your bed? Beautiful. Tattered gardening gloves? Perfection. Even just a shelf, a mat, a pair of gardening shoes on your feet, yes, even those can be sacred if you bring your heart to it.
Here are some soulful building blocks to help you get started:
1. Claim Your Corner
Pick a spot you naturally gravitate toward. Trust your gut. This is your sanctuary. No one else gets to define it.
Ask yourself:
- Where do I feel safe?
- Where do I feel most like myself?
- Where do I feel my body begin to destress?
Once you know? That’s your sacred ground.
2. Clear the Energy
Let’s call it what it is: clutter = chaos. Sacred spaces don’t need to be spotless, but they do need to breathe.
Let’s not deny it, different spaces carry different levels of energy. You can feel it when you walk into a room that holds tension versus one that feels calm and clear. Your space should support you, not weigh you down.
Clear the junk. Light a candle. Open a window. Say a prayer or just speak the truth:
“This space is for peace. This space is for me.”
You’re not just tidying. You’re releasing. Old energy, old stories, old noise.
3. Bring In What Grounds You
Fill your space with things that bring you back to your center. Whether you’re carving out a quiet corner indoors or stepping into the sacred stillness of your backyard, choose elements that feel like a soul hug.
Here are some ideas to anchor your space:
- A favorite photo that reminds you of love
- A journal where you don’t filter your words
- Crystals, feathers, or rocks from that hike you almost didn’t take but did
- A blanket that holds your warmth
- A playlist that feels like home
And don’t forget nature, especially if your sacred space is outside.
Let the earth hold you. Surround yourself with living energy: potted plants, flowers, driftwood, seashells, smooth stones, or even a simple patch of grass where you can sit barefoot and breathe (for those old enough…think Pretty Woman). Sometimes healing happens not in stillness, but in movement, pulling weeds, planting seeds, watching the clouds drift overhead.
Indoors or out, this space is yours. Let it reflect what brings you back to life.
4. Engage the Senses
This is a sacred embodiment. Let your body know it’s safe here, whether you’re inside or outside.
- Sight: Soft lighting, gentle colors, or art that reflects your truth. If you’re outside, notice the natural light shifting through trees, the open sky, or a quiet corner that invites stillness. I love seeing the hummingbird bounce from bloom to bloom.
- Smell: Essential oils, sage, or your favorite tea brewing. Outdoors, the scent of soil after watering, fresh herbs, or blooming flowers can ground and awaken your senses.
- Sound: Silence, meditation tracks, or that song you cry to every time (you know the one). Let the wind in the trees, birdsong, or even distant laughter become your soundscape if you’re in nature.
- Touch: Cushions, textures, soft things that comfort. Outside, a favorite blanket on the grass, a smooth stone in your hand, or the feel of sun on your skin can be just as soothing.
- Taste: Yes, coffee counts. So does dark chocolate. A warm mug, a juicy orange, or fresh mint from your garden, rituals live in the details, wherever you are.
5. Make It Yours And Only Yours
This space is for your rise. For your messy prayers. For your deep sobs and your brave ideas.
It’s not a family zone. It’s not a productivity nook. It’s yours.
Even if all you have is 10 minutes a day, those minutes are gold. They are sacred.
When Life Gets Loud, Return Here
There will be days when you forget what you’re capable of. When grief, doubt, or exhaustion win for a moment. That’s okay.
Come back to your space.
Breathe. Be. Remember.
You are allowed to pause. You are allowed to ask the hard questions here. You are allowed to not have the answers and still be whole.
Nature helps me on these days. I often think of the powerful oak tree that has stood tall through the worst storms, and the willow that bends but does not break. Both rooted, both resilient, both still standing.
Let your sacred space, especially if it’s outside, remind you of this, again and again.
Let’s Begin Together
So here is what I want you to know. Creating sacred spaces, whether inside your home or under the open sky, is not selfish. It is self-honoring. It is the beginning of a deeper kind of living. A more intentional, more compassionate, more you kind of life. To hang out with me, you will hear me often say, “You cannot pour from an empty cup.”
And, I believe you deserve peace. You deserve a place to land. You deserve to walk through the fire and still have a soft place to fall.
Start today. Choose a spot. It could be a sunlit corner with a favorite chair or a quiet patch in your garden. Light a candle or listen to the wind. Whisper, “This is mine.” And let that be enough.
And if you ever need someone to remind you how powerful you are when you claim your space, I am right here. Cheering you on. Always.
With grit and love,
Dena 💛