One of the most powerful tools for visualizing your dream life is a Visualization Sanctuary. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most neglected and overlooked areas for creating your dream lifestyle after 60.
- What exactly is a Visualization Sanctuary?
- Why do you need one?
- Where and how would you create one for yourself?
We will answer these questions in this third article and video of my new, 12-part exclusive series for Sixty and Me readers titled “Visualize a Vibrant New Lifestyle After 60.”
But first, I want to share a personal story with you that happened last year.
A Museum of Disappointment
Last summer I was having dinner at a friend’s home, and she asked me how I visualized a new lifestyle for myself in my 70s, after my beloved husband Joe died.
She confided in me that whenever she tried to visualize a goal or even schedule her week in advance, she got distracted by thoughts and experiences of her past.
Sometimes the thoughts were so overwhelming she would try to distract herself by scrolling on Facebook, turning on the television, or tending to her never-ending to-do list.
I asked her if she had a special place in her home where she journals or reflects on her dreams and goals. She took me into her bedroom and showed me a small desk she uses to write in her journal and get on the computer.
The moment I entered the bedroom, I immediately understood why she couldn’t visualize her future. Every surface of her dresser, nightstand, and even her desk was covered with reminders of what once was:
- Photographs of family and friends, most of whom had died.
- Self-help books stacked on top of one another (I call these “shelf-help”).
- Paperwork and unopened mail from obligations she told me she resented.
My friend shared with me that she gets depressed even opening her closet, as it is full of her once-favorite clothes that are now too tight to wear comfortably.
I asked if I could speak to her bluntly, and she nodded.
“Your sanctuary has become a museum of disappointment.”
It struck a nerve, and her eyes began to well up with tears.
“Where in your home,” I asked her gently, “is there room to create a Visualization Sanctuary?”
She quizzically looked at me and asked, “What is that?”
I replied, “It’s a dedicated space for who you’re becoming. Do you know where you would create a Visualization Sanctuary for yourself?”
She had no answer.
Do you?
What Is a Visualization Sanctuary?
A Visualization Sanctuary is a dedicated space – either physical or digital – designed to nurture your imagination, enhance your focus, and amplify the power of your visualization practices.
It can be any space that helps you feel safe, inspired, and connected to the lifestyle of your dreams.
In the complimentary video to this article, I share several examples of a Visualization Sanctuary. For now, I want to introduce you to the benefits of creating one for yourself.
Benefits of Having a Visualization Sanctuary
As children, we instinctively created one Visualization Sanctuary after the other.
These ranged from secret hideouts to cozy reading nooks and even a fort made from blankets and pillows. These sacred spaces allowed us to enter a world of imagination, free from distractions and limitations.
As adults, we often lose touch with this fun and immersive practice unless we are connecting with our children or grandchildren.
Creating a Visualization Sanctuary helps you reignite your childhood ability to dream freely. It also fosters a safe and inspiring environment where your dreams and deepest desires can take root and flourish.
Here are some additional benefits:
- Encourages a safe space for reinvigorating your lifestyle.
- Removes daily distractions & helps you focus on your dreams.
- Activates the power of your subconscious mind.
- Enhances the emotional connection to your innermost desires.
- Promotes consistency & habit formation.
5-Step Action Plan to Create Your Visual Sanctuary
A Visualization Sanctuary is more than just a space. It’s a portal to the lifestyle you’re creating. Here is a five-part inspired action item for creating a Visualization Sanctuary:
Step 1: Choose Your Sacred Sanctuary
Identify a physical location where you can relax without distractions. It could be a quiet room, a meditation space, a special chair, or a cozy outdoor setting.
If space is limited or your current living environment is not conducive to a Visualization Sanctuary, create a portable sanctuary. This could include a journal, headphones, and even scented candles that can enhance your visualization experience.
Step 2: Fill Your Space with Inspiration
Begin with visual cues, such as printing images that reflect your dream life (travel destinations, dream home, personal goals).
Establish your own soundscape with specific types of music, nature sounds, and guided meditations. You can also use scents that can trigger deep emotional engagement.
Step 3: Personalize Your Space with Sensory Anchors
Use textures that match your dream lifestyle and deliver a sense of peace and relaxation. For example, a silk scarf if you envision luxury, a soft blanket if comfort is key, or a comfortable pillow.
Step 4: Create a Digital Sanctuary
This can be created using a Pinterest board with inspirational images, Spotify and/or YouTube playlist with empowering music and visuals that match your ideal lifestyle, and a digital vision board on apps like Canva, PowerPoint, or MindMovies.
Step 5: Commit to Visiting Your Space Daily
Spend 5-10 minutes daily in your Visualization Sanctuary, engaging in deep imaginative immersion. Close your eyes and fully step into your dream lifestyle, experiencing it with all five senses.
Next Steps
Next up in this series, you will learn how to “Time Travel to Your Dream Lifestyle.”
I invite you to join me in the video, where I will share “7 Steps for Creating a Sensory Experience in the Physical World” through journaling.
Let’s Have a Conversation:
Are you trying to imagine a new life by living with one foot in the old one? What would you like to change? What new developments would you like to see in your life?
