In the midst of a rushed routine of dropping kids, to back-to-back meetings at work, my mornings are almost always a blur. My personal sense of time seems lost in a sea of emails. My veranda is the one place where I go to find tranquillity. Set against the calming sounds of the ocean, it’s where I reflect on my days and thoughts.
As much as I enjoy the warmth of family and friends, I find it important to find my own mute space in the noise. It helps me build an intimate relationship with myself and is an intrinsic element of my personality.
Remember the endless amount of hours you’d spend in the dimly-lit space under your bed when you were little? It was your personal version of a sanctuary – a home within your home. Now, imagine reliving that with a cosy spot at the corner of your empty hallway or a tiny space at the foot of your bed that’s completely yours. It can serve as an intimate reading nook where you relax with a cup of coffee and your favourite book. Or, it could simply be an unused bedroom you use for creative pursuits such as knitting, writing, sketching or playing a musical instrument.
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The idea is to put a spiritual distance between this retreat and the rest of your home, regardless of the physical proximity. I like to call it my ‘cosmos of calm’.
An ideal place to start finding your own cosmos is your balcony, set away from the rest of your house. If not, find a vacant window space that you could convert into a retreat by adding a few colourful cushions and blankets. Keep your windows open to allow plenty of natural light. You can also pick a quiet corner of your room and pull up your old recliner or snug arm chair to build your own nest. Add an old lamp or fairy lights for the evenings and hang some light drapes for a filtered, soft-light effect during the day. A beautiful rug will also help set the foundation for a soothing space.
Lastly, add a few postcards from your trips or layer the couch with an old throw for a personal touch.
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It is tough juggling between the responsibilities of a family and work life, but it doesn’t have to mean you stop discovering yourself. Treat yourself with a break from the monotony of every day once in a while. Be the mature version of that seven-year-old hiding under the bed, even if it’s just for a minute.
SUSSANNE KHAN is a celebrity interior decorator and style editor at The Label Life