Designing Your Year With Intention
The new year always feels like a chance to refresh and restart—a moment to pause, reflect, and set intentions for the months ahead. But if I’m honest, coming out of the whirlwind of the holidays, the idea of setting New Year’s goals can feel overwhelming. After weeks of hosting family, cooking meals, and navigating the joyful chaos, the thought of planning for this year can seem like just one more task on an already too-long list. It reminds me of staring at an empty house: full of potential for beauty and meaning, yet daunting in its undertaking. That’s where the idea of sanctuary comes in. By creating spaces for reflection and intentional growth, sanctuary offers a way to move past the overwhelm and begin making choices that align with the life we want to build.
The first step in designing my year with intention is setting a foundation—clearing out the old to make space for the new. This isn’t just about decluttering my home (although that’s always a good start), but also about clearing my mind and releasing the mental load I carry from the previous year. A sanctuary isn’t built on chaos; it begins with quiet and clarity.
In my home, I create small spaces that help me reconnect with myself: a cozy corner for reading, a desk where I can journal or paint, a place for meditation and stillness. These spaces are my reprieve within the home where I can shed the mental clutter of the past year and dream about what’s to come. Once the slate is clear, it’s easier to reflect honestly on where I am, what I value, and what I hope to create in the year ahead.
When it comes time to fill the “empty house” with intention, the principles of sanctuary—like balance, meaning, and connection—guide me. Balance is one of the most powerful tools in both design and life. It’s not just about symmetry or aesthetics but about creating harmony that resonates deeply. For me, my reading nook embodies this perfectly. It’s a small area with a wall of bookshelves, two matching armchairs that share a matching ottoman in the center, with corresponding pull up tables and hanging reading lights on either side. It’s a space designed for its purpose, and when I’m there, I feel a sense of calm and order. The balance of the space mirrors the balance I want to cultivate in my life—peaceful, intentional, and grounded.
Meaning comes from surrounding myself with objects that inspire and reflect my values. For me, the books on my shelves are more than just decor; they’re like old friends, each one carrying a piece of my story. When I look at them, I’m reminded of the moments when they first spoke to me—when I found inspiration, comfort, or a new perspective in their pages. Now, they sit on my shelves, reflecting pieces of who I am and who I strive to be. Each book holds a memory, a lesson, or an inspiration that stays with me long after I’ve read it. And every time I pull one down again, I’m reminded of that connection, that spark of meaning that continues to shape me. This is what sanctuary is about: creating spaces that aren’t just beautiful, but also filled with personal significance and memories that continue to touch me, long after the initial moment of inspiration.
Connection is perhaps the most profound element of sanctuary for me. My reading nook, for example, isn’t just a space for solitude; it’s also a place for shared moments and deep conversations. The two armchairs facing each other invite connection—whether I’m sitting there with a loved one, sharing a quiet cup of tea, or talking about our days, the space feels intimate. There’s something special about facing someone directly, sharing that little corner of the world, and being present with one another. These are the moments that create lasting memories, that remind me of the importance of nurturing meaningful relationships. It’s a space that encourages connection—not just with others, but with myself, too. The act of sharing my sanctuary with someone else always reminds me of the power of human connection, and it helps me reflect on the kind of relationships I want to cultivate in the year ahead.
The beauty of sanctuary is that it reminds us we don’t have to transform everything all at once. Just as a house is designed one room at a time, we can craft our year with intention, one step at a time, grounding ourselves in balance, meaning, and connection. So, I would love to know, what is your first step in the new year’s practices? Will you be setting your intentions, or perhaps decluttering your home to make way for the new year? I would love to hear in the comments.
With love and gratitude,
Lisa