is your landscape like my closet?

Earlier this month, I was invited to speak to a group of really smart people about creating personal sanctuaries. We poured over images of beautiful, outdoor spaces and we discussed what I consider to be four essential elements that transform everyday spaces into the realm of sanctuary: intent, ritual, connection and space. It was delightful to experience this particular group’s interest in design. They really got into the “four” and asked me juicy questions that I love to answer about stormwater management, structure, thought processes and… closets.

Wait just a second. Did she just say “closets”?

Yes, you read right, they really honed in on my closet story.

So why would a landscape architect talk about closets during a personal garden sanctuary presentation? One reason: to truly invite change, there must be space.

My closet became a serious source of anxiety for me, which struck me as odd, because I have generally considered myself to be intelligent, self-sufficient, creative and fairly stylish. However, my irritation increased as each day I peered into my closet full of clothes, toiling over what to wear. So, I took my own advice and hired a professional to help me.

With her guidance, we transformed my closet from jam-packed with few possibilities into spacious with many possibilities. We sorted through what I already had, selecting what I loved the most and uncovering new ways to mix and match. By the time we were finished, 50% of my clothes remained. And, because of the talent and guidance of this professional, I can mix and match nearly every piece of clothing that I own, and I now enjoy this part of getting ready for each day.

Those that joined me for the garden sanctuary discussion really embraced this idea that in so many areas, less really can be more. And, that we might just already have the ingredients we need for clarity and joy in small pieces of our everyday lives. A giant step towards this is to first create the physical, mental and emotional space for change.

This ties in so directly to creating meaningful outdoor spaces and sanctuary gardens. More plants or more stuff won’t necessarily bring the peace and joy you crave. It might be a matter of setting a comfy chair just right to catch the morning sun… and just slightly in the view from your kitchen window at sunset.