SPIRITUAL CRAP

 

Think of sacred space as your spiritual emergency exit – that place you go when your brain’s running wild, your ADHD has you bouncing off walls, or life’s just being…life. It’s not about having a perfect meditation corner; it’s about having a designated spot where you can take a deep breath and reconnect.

The Science Behind Sacred Space:

• Your brain creates associations with physical spaces
• Regular practice in one spot builds stronger neural pathways
• Environmental cues trigger relaxation responses
• Familiar objects/settings reduce decision fatigue

Real-Life Benefits:

• A quick reset when overwhelm hits
• Physical boundary between work and rest
• Anchor point during chaos
• Reminder to actually do your practice

Why It Works (Even When Imperfect):

• Creates routine without rigidity
• Builds consistency through visual cues
• Provides sanctuary without perfectionism
• Makes spiritual practice accessible daily

The Permission Factor: Sacred space tells your brain “it’s okay to pause here.” Whether that’s:

• 30 seconds of breathing between meetings
• Quick card pull while coffee brews
• Morning check-in among the chaos
• Evening unwind before sleep

Your space doesn’t have to be perfect – it just has to be yours. That tiny corner of desk, messy bathroom altar, or bedside crystal collection? They’re all saying “hey, you can take a moment here.”

Your house may or may not be Instagram-ready right now. Mine certainly isn’t, though it’s much better these days. No kids (adult or otherwise) to make messes. The downside? There’s no one to blame for clutter or a misplaced item – except me.  And I still tend to get hyper focused on one thing and ignore the rest.  At least the cat keeps things dusted by playing on every surface, knocking stuff onto the floor.

You’ve seen those perfect spiritual spaces online: pristine altars with carefully arranged crystals, not a single meditation cushion out of place, and somehow, mysteriously, no cat hair. Meanwhile, your crystals are playing hide-and-seek in the junk drawer, and your altar shares space with yesterday’s coffee mug.

Plot twist: This is exactly how it should be.

Because here’s the thing – life isn’t Instagram-perfect. It’s messy, chaotic, and sometimes the sage bundle gets lost under a pile of bills. And if you’re waiting for your space to be perfect before making it sacred, you might be waiting forever (or at least until the clutter fairy finally shows up).

In this guide, we’re going to explore how to create and maintain sacred space in your perfectly imperfect home. No Marie Kondo-level organization required. Just real solutions for real homes where life actually happens. Ready?

What Makes a Space Sacred?

Here’s the thing about sacred spaces – they’re sacred because you say they are. Not because they’re perfect, pristine, or Pinterest-worthy.

Think about it: churches have crying babies, temples need dusting, and ancient sacred sites probably had their share of wandering goats. Sacred doesn’t mean perfect – it means intentional.

When the kids were young I’d relax in a hot bath, my escape from home-schooling my three munchkins. The side of the tub made my sacred space. I’d arrange a candle and light some incense to claim “me time”.  But, being me, crap happens.  Like when I lit the incense stick and instead of a waft of smoke I was suddenly surrounded by small flashing and popping explosions. Turns out it was a cleverly disguised sparkler left over from the 4th of July.  Nothing says “spiritual awakening” quite like  dropping the exploding incense into the tub (with ME) and creating a small tsunami trying to extinguish the damn thing.

And though I certainly lost my calm for a bit, that bath was still sacred. Why? Because intention matters more than execution. That sparkler incide

nt became a reminder that the divine has a sense of humor, and sometimes the most spiritual moments happen when things go hilariously wrong.

What you put in your own sacred space is entirely up to you, but you may choose to include:

1. Crystals and Healing stones

• Easy to collect nd pretty to look at
• Said to encourage healing and spiritual connection
• Double as fidget toys during meditation
• Still spiritual even in the junk drawer
• 2. Candles

• Create instant sacred vibes
• Electric ones count (especially if you’re forgetful)
• Tea lights work just fine
• Bonus: everything looks better in candlelight

3. Angel/Tarot/Affirmation Cards

• Portable wisdom
• Many gorgeous decks available, choose what speaks to you!
• Work even with coffee stains
• Daily draws = quick practice
• Cat magnet (embrace it)

4. Found Nature Objects

• Free and meaningful
• That pretty rock counts
• Dead plants still have energy
• Feathers from anywhere (we won’t ask)

5. Photos/Images

• Ancestors, deities, or your cat
• Phone wallpaper counts
• Printed Instagram shots work
• Even crayon drawings

6. Incense/Smudge Tools

• Quick energy reset
• Covers multiple smells
• Alternative: essential oils
• Warning: Check for sparklers first

7. Bowls/Cups

• Coffee mugs are chalices
• Catch-all for smaller items
• Water offerings (or coffee)
• The chipped ones still work

8. Bells/Sound Tools

• Clear energy fast
• Phone apps count
• Keys jangling work too
• Will either entice the cat to leave you, or have him want to join in the moment. Either works

9. Affirmations/Journals/Prayers

• From beautiful printings to post-its
• Notes app counts
• A note from a loved one
• Even unread prayers have power

10. Symbolic Objects

• you love it
• Ruth Bader Ginsburg figures welcome
• Childhood treasures perfect
• If it speaks to you, it works

Remember: These are suggestions, not rules. Your altar, your choices. Even if those choices include rubber ducks.

The Art of Creating Sacred Space

Let’s talk practicality, because that’s where the magic actually happens.

Start With What You Have Your sacred tools are probably already around you:

• That pretty rock you found? Crystal
• Favorite mug? Chalice
• Plant that refuses to die? Nature connection
• Birthday candle from last year? Fire element
• Bowl of random items? Offering dish

The point isn’t what you use – it’s how you use it.

The Art of Sacred Placement Your altar might live:

• On the corner of your desk (between yesterday’s coffee and tomorrow’s to-do list)
• On your windowsill (sharing space with the succulent that’s hanging on by a thread)
• Inside a closet (bonus: close the door when company comes)
• On your kitchen counter (food prep is ritual too)
• In a shoebox (portable sacred space!)

When Life Happens to Your Altar Because it will. Frequently. Here’s how to roll with it:

Kids/Pets/Partners “Helping”:

• Consider it randomized feng shui
• Make cleanup part of your practice
• Remember that interaction means the space is alive

Dealing with Dust and Disorder:

• Monthly (or whenever) deep clean becomes ritual
• Use cleaning as meditation
• Incorporate seasonal changes
• Let go of perfect timing
• Accept that sacred space evolves

Making It Work Long-Term The secret to maintaining sacred space isn’t constant vigilance – it’s flexibility. Your practice might look like:

Morning Connection:

• 30 seconds of acknowledgment
• Quick energy check
• Straighten one thing
• Add fresh water/offering
• Set intention for the day

Evening Reset:

• Remove obvious trash
• Return wandering items
• Refresh offerings
• Quick gratitude moment
• Accept tomorrow might bring chaos

Emergency Protocols Sometimes things fall apart. That’s okay. Here’s your backup plan:

Quick Resets:

• Declare everything intentional
• Light incense/candle
• Ring bell/clap hands
• Spray room mist
• State new intention

When You’ve Lost Control:

• Start fresh (clear everything)
• Choose one anchor object
• Add pieces slowly
• Document working arrangements
• Trust the process

Remember: A messy altar is a working altar. It means your sacred space is part of your real life, not separate from it. That’s exactly where the magic happens.