Hi, this is Katie, and thank you for joining me on the Creating Your Sanctuary podcast.

This is a podcast about creating those little moments and space that support you.

And the keyword this week is space, because it can mean so many things.

I absolutely love this word. I absolutely love it. I love creating space when I feel crowded, or like things are kind of falling on top of me, or I just need more time to process. Sometimes it’s thinking through things, and sometimes it’s physical. Sometimes it’s simply that I need to spread out all my papers and see multiple things at once.

Over the years, I’ve really loved having room to work. I remember as a teen doing my homework on the floor because I could have my book in one area, my notes spread out, my notebook next to me, and everything around me. I remember making this sort of rainbow, an arch around me, of all the things I needed. My special pen or pencil bag, my trapper keeper at the time, everything within reach.

I did have a desk, but it was way too small. I needed to create enough space around me so I could create, take my time, and actually get things done.

The last ten years before I moved overseas, I had a similar sized desk. I used part of it to record these podcasts and videos, which worked fine for sitting down and doing that setup, but I still needed more space. I often worked on my bed and spread everything out. Sometimes I would lie on my stomach or sit crisscross style and work that way.

I’m just remembering all these times where I was creating a little space for myself to be functional, because otherwise it was really hard for me to concentrate. It helped my brain work and get things done. In other ways, I knew I was giving my ADHD and autistic brain what it needed to be productive, to learn, to absorb information, and to put my best work out there.

Where I’m at now, I made a point to actually get a desk that’s twice as wide as I’ve ever had before, and I love it. Absolutely love it. I spend a lot more time at it. I’m able to spread out my things more, and it’s better for my back, too, because of my kyphosis. I need to sit more upright and not be leaning all the time.

Having double the space has made such a difference. It’s basically two drawer units with a long plank across the top from IKEA, with a little leg in the middle for support. I have planner supplies, a film setup, an audio setup that I swap between, a row of journals, and paper products around me.

When you have something like that that’s just yours and organized for your brain, I find that kind of magical.

Everyone’s setup is different. No two setups are exactly the same because no two brains are the same. I think it’s fascinating to see someone’s desk or studio or wherever they create, because it gives you insight into how their mind works. I absolutely love that.

For some people, it helps to have everything visible so they can pull pencils or tools easily, maybe hanging on the wall or organized all around them. They decorate, add inspiration, and keep everything within reach. I put up one important poster next to me with a quote I look at all the time.

For me, I need more things tucked away, because if I see them, I start worrying about them and wondering where they belong. But for others, it’s better to have everything visible, or somewhere in between. There’s no right answer. It’s just what suits you best.

That’s the physical side of space, but I also love creating space in my schedule.

Tomorrow I’m going to my chiropractor, and I find it really important to pad my day. Especially now that I don’t have a car, I’m at the whim of the bus. If there’s ice, they might be delayed or canceled. So I go early and give myself extra time. I don’t mind waiting somewhere.

I used to do this in the States too. I would arrive at least fifteen minutes early. Sometimes they’d take me in early, and sometimes they wouldn’t. But either way, it wasn’t wasted time. It gave me a little quiet moment outside my home where I wasn’t looking around thinking about chores or what needed to be done.

It gave me space to think. To process. Maybe to reflect on something for work or something coming up that weekend.

Even at the chiropractor’s office, they offer tea and you can sit and chat with the receptionist for a bit. It’s intentional. They’ve created a space where you can slow down, take a breath, and feel cared for. It becomes an experience.

All of these examples are really about space and how you experience it.

Sometimes you need mental space too, especially when the world feels heavy. Right now, being January 2026, things feel very heavy in the U.S. We have friends and family there that we worry about. You can’t take in all that information at one hundred percent all the time. You need to give yourself a break.

Taking a little space for yourself, resting your mind, helps you show up again tomorrow. Reclaiming space as something that belongs to you. This is where I take up space. This is who I am. These are my thoughts. This is my joy.

Having that autonomy and agency over your life can make you feel a lot better about what you can do and what you can take action on.

So I’ll wrap this up here, but I want to hear from you. There’s a link in the podcast where you can send me a message if something came up while listening. I can’t reply directly, but I love hearing from you.

What does space mean to you? What does more space look like in your life? And how can you create that for yourself?

Remember, however you’re creating your sanctuary, your space right now is enough.

I’ll see you next time.