When Home Doesn’t Feel Like Home: Realizing Peace is Something You Create
This week felt like an endless rollercoaster ride to Veronica, a 9-to-5 corporate employee. Tons of meetings to attend and emails came in faster than she could answer. No time for office naps at all. Someone was always ready to tap at her shoulder and say, “can you do me a quick favor?” every time she rested her head at the desk. She was exhausted by deadlines and new updates every hour. Her eyes ached from the screen and the constant hum of office chatter had turned into background noise she couldn’t escape.
Veronica was just waiting for the clock to strike 5 so she could just escape this hell. She wasn’t thinking of dinner or about the traffic she had to bear for the next couple of hours. All she could think of was getting back home.
That was one thought that kept her breathing. The idea of turning the key, walking in and letting the door close behind her like a shield against the world.
The street was quiet when Veronica parked. She was in front of the house, clutching keys to open the door. As she turned it in the lock, she felt that familiar flutter, the relief that she was finally here.
The door creaked open.
And then nothing.
No sigh of relief.
No quiet exhale.
Just more mess.
It wasn’t the same as the chaotic office mess, but it wasn’t peaceful either. The coffee cup she left at the table in the morning was still there. Those dirty clothes she’s been planning to wash for two weeks were lying rent free on her couch. The faint smell of yesterday’s takeout welcomed her.
She dropped her bag, kicked off her shoes and stood there for a moment. The realization hit her slowly that the place called “home” she had been imagining all day wasn’t here. Her home felt tired, just like her. Maybe she had been waiting for peace to greet her at the door with loving arms just like all of us. But peace doesn’t come to you on its own, you have to make it.
The first step: Making space for peace
You can’t expect to find peace in a cluttered space, whether it’s an unorganized room or your own brain with too many tabs open. You have to make space for peace first.
That’s exactly what Veronica did that night. She made herself a promise. Just a small one:
“I’ll let peace come in. Tomorrow, I will make my home kinder to me.”
She woke up a bit earlier than usual. She had lots of time to fix her usual mistakes.
She started small.
The coffee cup went into the sink. Those dirty clothes went to the laundry. She opened the window and let the sunlight stretch its arms across the floor.
It was surprising, how different it felt already. Not transformed but lighter.
That weekend, Veronica took baby steps towards decluttering her space and her mind. She took a small basket and placed it near the entrance like a catch-all for keys, receipts and all the little things that used to scatter around the house creating a mess. She lit a candle on the side table. Now a soft rosy scent welcomes her instead of nasty odors from yesterday’s leftovers.
And for the first time in weeks, when she walked in after work, she smiled. Her little efforts are making some difference.
Just like her, you can start small. Pick one thing in your physical or mental space that you want to declutter. You don’t need to tackle it all at once. Maybe tonight, just pick up the books scattered on the floor. Or open up your phone’s note app and write 5 things you feel grateful about today. As you slowly organize everything bit by bit, you’ll feel empowered to take on anything that life throws your way.
Why Finding Your Own Version of “Sanctuary” is Important?
Within this process of creating her home into a sanctuary, Veronica realized that a sanctuary doesn’t have to look like the ones in magazines. It doesn’t have to be perfect.
She didn’t need to spend thousands of dollars to renovate her home. It’s fine to act human and just revamp in small ways that feel doable. There were still dishes in the sink some nights. On some days there’s still laundry that didn’t get done earlier. But she incorporated small rituals in her routine that made her space truly feel like hers.
- A soft blanket in her favorite color that lived on the couch, ready to wrap around her after a long day.
- An indoor swing close to the window, where she could sit with her tea and just breathe.
- A few plants just enough to remind her that things could grow quietly.
These were not decorations, they were small acts of care.
Creating a Sanctuary Is More About Feeling Than Things
If you have ever come home after a rollercoaster ride like Veronica and felt like you are still as dizzy as you were outside the house, you’ll understand that a sanctuary is about how you feel the moment you walk in your space.
Here’s what she discovered and what you can try as well if life feels too loud right now:
- Pick One Area to Change First
Don’t just try to buy everything those online influencers tell you to add to your house. Pick one place where you wish to have a good time when you come home. Maybe it’s your couch, your bed or a chair by the window. Turn that place into your vibe first.
For Veronica, it was the living room couch. She cleaned the living room, decorated it with appealing colors, cleared the dirty clothes, fluffed the cushions and placed her favorite throw blanket there. It became a little island of calm in the middle of everything else.
- Let The Light and Air In
Light can change the mood and natural lighting within a matter of seconds, so make the most out of it. Veronica made it a habit to open her curtains before leaving for work, so the evening light would greet her when she came back.
She could just feel the weather all around her home all day. Even on days when the sky was grey, the natural light made her feel more at ease.
- Add a Touch of Life
A plant can add quiet life and a sense of nature to your space, so it’s always worth buying one. You can either buy a natural succulent if you’re into planting, or like Veronica, buy a small potted artificial plant for her desk at home to make that corner feel more human.
- Use Your Favorite Scent
Our brains remember scents and associate them with memories and patterns. Whether a room freshener, scented candle or a perfume, don’t forget to use a fragrance that makes you feel more at home. The soft rosy scent that Veronica chose became a signal for her body that it’s time to rest now. The moment she lit it, she could feel her shoulders drop a little.
- Keep One Area Clutter Free
Even if the rest of your home is a little messy, having one clutter free area can give your mind a visual “pause.”
For her, it was her bedroom. No matter how busy the week got, she made sure a nicely made bed with some refreshing colors, a clear side table with her favorite book on it all the time and the curtains were open to let in light.
It became her little retreat. The one place she could step into, close the door and feel like the noise of the world couldn’t follow her.
From Baby Steps to a Complete Life Transformation
Over the next few months, Veronica’s home started to feel different, not because it was perfect but because she made efforts for peace.
She began looking forward to small things: the sound of the kettle boiling, the feeling of warm socks after a shower, the way sunlight fell across her floor in the late afternoon.
The world outside didn’t stop being messy. Work was still work. But inside these walls, she had created a space that didn’t ask anything from her. A space that gave back.
Your home feels more like home when you turn it into your comfort zone through little everyday rituals, whether it’s lighting a scented candle in the evening, making the bed or opening the windows in the morning to get some sun.
Your Sanctuary, Your Way
Just like Veronica, you don’t need expensive furniture or a complete home makeover to create a sanctuary. You just need to decide what makes you feel at peace and then give that space to yourself, little by little.
It could be:
- Any shelf with your favorite books
- Your go to music while making dinner
- A corner where you can sit with your tea
- A quiet and cozy space where you can read
- A spot for your prayers or meditation
How Purposeful Life Coach Can Help You Create Your Own Peace
Veronica’s story is something so many of us relate to—feeling overwhelmed by the chaos of work, responsibilities, and even the spaces we live in. At Purposeful Life Coach, we understand that peace doesn’t just happen—it’s something you intentionally create, step by step.
We help you:
1. Find Clarity Amid the Chaos
When life feels like it’s running on autopilot, it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters. Our certified life coaches work with you to uncover what’s draining your energy and help you focus on what brings you fulfillment and calm.
2. Build Practical Habits for a Balanced Life
Just like Veronica started small with a cup in the sink or a candle on the table, we guide you to create simple, actionable habits that transform your daily routine into one that supports your well-being.
3. Create a Personalized Plan for Inner and Outer Peace
Everyone’s idea of peace is different. We help you define your version of “sanctuary”—whether that’s a more organized home, better work-life boundaries, or a deeper connection with yourself—and create a realistic roadmap to get there.
4. Provide Accountability and Encouragement
Change is easier when you don’t have to do it alone. Through one-on-one coaching sessions, we offer support, motivation, and guidance to keep you on track, even on the toughest days.
5. Empower You to Live with Purpose
Ultimately, peace isn’t just about a calm home—it’s about feeling aligned with your life. We help you discover your values, set meaningful goals, and live in a way that feels authentic to you.
When you’re ready to stop waiting for peace to “just happen” and start building it, Purposeful Life Coach is here to guide you every step of the way.
The beauty of a sanctuary is that it’s yours. No one else’s version matters.
One evening, weeks later, Veronica came home again with the same weight of the day pressing on her shoulders. She turned the key, opened the door and this time, the smell of roses greeted her. The blanket waited on the couch. That fading sunlight still poured a little gold onto the floor.
She exhaled.
Her first thought, “This is the peace I had been craving for so long.”
It was right here, waiting for her because she had built it.
And you can, too. It all begins with one step.
