Art by Nelli Molfenter

My safe space and sanctuary is my bedroom. It serves as a place where I can find a moment of peace, channel my inner productivity, rest, and create. It wasn’t until the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic that I understood why it meant so much to me to have a bedroom that reflected who I was, all the way down to color, arrangement, and décor. Simply put, our environment affects us, whether we consciously recognize it or not. Where we spend our time, what surrounds us, and how we operate within this space impacts our mood and overall mindset. 

At the start of the pandemic, I had to move back to my childhood home. No longer living in sunny San Diego while surrounded by my beautiful college campus, I was now quarantined in my childhood bedroom. A space that had gone from my love for stuffed animals to my tribute to One Direction, was now the space from which I would finish my third year of college. The realization motivated me to make my old bedroom a space where I could function and adapt to the ever-changing world around me. Though it wasn’t anything drastic, the little changes added up and transformed my room into a space where I could feel at peace amidst the chaos around me. 

I started by creating an ambiance that is welcoming and comforting. I wanted to feel excited about returning to my space day after day, knowing that I will be able to unwind and feel at peace. 

The color of a room can dictate the mood and feelings experienced in the space. Therefore, in choosing a color scheme for my space, I made sure to choose colors I would want to accompany me all year round. I chose yellow, pink, and orange — a warm color palette that is energetic and comforting, and thus, versatile for both working and resting in my room. 

I also love burning seasonal scented candles year-round (yes, that means fall and Christmas scents in the summer). The smells of vanilla bean, marshmallow, and pumpkin bring me so much joy and remind me of the coziness of the end-of-the-year seasons without the frigid temperatures. The smell of vanilla bean added an extra dimension of coziness to the warm colors. 

The lighting in my room has been the ultimate game-changer for me. I rearranged my room so that my bed and desk are next to the window to face natural light. Waking up to sunshine pouring through my window is the best feeling; an all-natural alarm clock that helps me kick-start my day. The natural light panning through my window as I am chipping away at schoolwork or a creative project allows me to feel less restless and more focused. Most importantly, I get an extra dose of Vitamin D!  

Through transforming my space, I have learned that creativity is key. Making a space functional and cozy doesn’t always mean buying out your local HomeGoods or replacing everything you own — in many instances it means DIYing and working with what you already have.

I love finding posters and wall decor that have positive affirmations, quotes, and sayings on them that resonate with my own values of gratitude and optimism. They serve as my reminders on a daily basis; I can look away from my computer for a second each day to read the affirmations. These can be also easily created, as you can print them out at home or at your local CVS. 

Moreover, I make it a point to always hang or display flowers in my room, whether they are fresh or dried wraps. I love the colors and symbolism of growth that flowers carry with them and they add a pop of color and life. 

When my outward surroundings are a reflection of what I love, value, cherish and believe in, I am able to see my true self manifested and am better able to foster a feeling of contentment in my daily life. Once I began to see each space as an experience rather than a static location, I was able to see a significant increase in my motivation and gained a more optimistic perspective.

Life is filled with moving in and out of spaces and working to make each new place feel like a home to us. “Home” is often a feeling we create for ourselves, more than a specific location. Though we can’t control everything about the spaces we enter, we can do our best to make them feel like spaces of joy and comfort.