If you’re anything like me, you spend your days trying to be productive while managing anxiety and depression in the midst of all the crazy shit happening in the world. That’s all of us right now, yeah?
Over the past year and a half we’ve all become way more conscious of the need to take care of our bodies and minds. We need to have safe spaces — places or times where we can stop, just be, and get away from all the chaos. A sacred space to feel…bliss.
What’s a “Bliss Station?”
I first heard the term “Bliss Station” in this article by Austin Kleon, who heard about it in The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell. Here’s how Campbell describes it:
“You must have a room, or a certain hour or so a day, where you don’t know what was in the newspapers that morning, you don’t know who your friends are, you don’t know what you owe anybody, you don’t know what anybody owes to you. This is a place where you can simply experience and bring forth what you are and what you might be. This is the place of creative incubation. At first you may find that nothing happens there. But if you have a sacred place and use it, something eventually will happen.”
Well, that sounds pretty blissful to me. A time and place where nothing is weighing on my mind, where my only concern is being present in that moment? Yes, please!
Even though the above excerpt speaks specifically about the “creative incubation” value of a bliss station, bliss stations are important no matter how creative you consider yourself to be. Times of bliss let the subconscious come forward so we can work on healing and growth, and you never know what ideas or insights will pop up during your distraction-free alone time.
It sounds almost unattainable, but it shouldn’t be. Here’s how I cultivated my bliss station, and some tips on how to find yours.
How to Create a Bliss Station
I want to highlight something from the above excerpt — your bliss station doesn’t have to be a physical place. It could also be a time that you get to be apart. Especially if you’re married with kids, you might not be able to create a space for your bliss station, but you can always find some time; maybe a half hour in the morning with coffee in hand before the kids are up, or a bit of wine time after the kids have gone to bed. Whatever time (and place!) you choose, make sure it’s free of distractions. No phone, no TV, no people, no books — just you and maybe a journal.
If you do have a space in which you can make a bliss station, here are some tips — and how I created mine!
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Populate it with the things that give you peace
As your resident woo-woo spiritual mystic gal, my bliss station is definitely populated with some unique paraphernalia. I have a shelf in my room dedicated to all my tarot decks, crystals, Bibles, journals, candles, and other meaningful trinkets I’ve been gifted over the years. That shelf is sacred to me — nothing goes on it unless it brings me peace and joy.
Populate your bliss station with the things that make you let out a sigh of welcome relief. It might not be tarot cards and Bibles — maybe you fill it with some plants you love, a record player, and a couple bookshelves. Maybe it’s simply a little seat outside on your porch. Whatever your bliss station decor is, you should look at it and go, “Ahhhhhh.” -
Pick a peaceful time of day
This is going to be different for everybody, and that’s okay! My bliss station time generally happens in the evenings — I feel the most peaceful after the sun has gone down and everything is stopping for the day. I turn on my galaxy light and my room looks like outer space (yes, very peaceful) and I just am. Your bliss station time may be early in the morning, before the sun has come up. Pick a time when you won’t be worried about distractions or being late for something, and try to give yourself at least 30 minutes (if not a whole hour) to be with yourself. -
Get rid of distractions
Turn off your phone and your laptop, don’t read a book — this is time for you to be with yourself. Ask any family members or housemates to respect your space during this time as well. I love using guided journals (or just plain journals) during this time. I’ll usually do a tarot reading for myself, journal about it, and maybe read a Bible verse or two and reflect on its application to life. I also like to just sit silently with some instrumental music on, and I pay attention to whatever pops up in my mind. If I start thinking about a past event or relationship, it’s a sign that I probably need to spend some time digging into those thoughts and emotions. Or maybe I’ll spark a creative idea, or have insight into a work project. Regardless, I will have had some blissful time to myself.
Whether you need a “creative incubator” to help you write your next novel or you just need a space to be apart and decompress, you should create a bliss station. Do you have any other tips on creating a sacred space? Let us know in the comments below!
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