(noun)
- the throwing back by a body or surface of light, heat, or sound without absorbing it; - a thing that is a consequence of or arises from something else;
- serious thought or consideration.
Get cozy, friends, Week 4 is all about reflection!
Mmmmm, this is probably one of my favorites of this series. Reflection can mean so many different things in space, in life, in us. Let's take a look...
When I think about creating reflection in physical space I think of it in two ways;
1) bouncing light throughout to illuminate and
2) defining a dedicated space for feeling, thinking, or analyzing.
All of my favorite things!
Take a look at the photo below and pay attention to the mirror in the background. My studio apartment sits back from the street because there is a full apartment in front of mine. Luckily, the way this building was created gives me a front window that extends out from the front apartment exterior wall to allow for some "direct" street light. I say "direct" because there is nothing blocking it. However, because it sits back from the street it does tend to stay darker, particularly in the winter. I do have two other windows in the main space but they face the building next door - I can almost touch my neighbor's exterior wall if I go out on my fire escape. Light still comes through but not in abundance. Placing the mirror high on the wall allows for me to take advantage of a little more light reflecting back into the main space where it can typically feel darker than the front room.
Now let's take a look at making a dedicated space for reflection. I may be unconventional in my thinking here, but I don't believe that you need 4 walls and a door to create a dedicated space. I believe all you need is an intention and a bit of creativity.
My space for reflection is tucked directly between my kitchen table and my desk/workspace. It simply consists of a cushion on the floor with my growing collection of plants adjacent. Over the years, I've experimented with various locations for my reflection space and, as strange as it seems, I like this one best. The cushion on the floor allows me to ignore any items or clutter I may have on my table or desk. The proximity of plants connect me to nature and the stand doubles as a place for candles and incense. And with my back against the wall, I have a view of my entire apartment. It feels like a powerful and safe place to allow myself to become vulnerable as I journal or meditate.
Where/how do you prefer to reflect? What does it sound/look/feel like?
If you don't have a reflection practice but are interested in building one, please know, it does not have to conform to a space or framework, it can be where and what you make it to be. I have many reflection practices that are not tied to my home space. I take walks and hit record on my voice app to have a loving conversation with myself when I need to work out disjointed thoughts in my head. A lot of times, even without me realizing it, reflection happens when I am mid-swim or run. Most interestingly, I have a friend who prioritizes reflection in her bathroom - she installed a waterproof notebook and pen for writing any thoughts that come to her in the shower!
A DAY FOR PAUSE
Every 4th week we will take a moment to pause the journal prompts.
Some of the themes we talk about can be difficult to process and may bring up feelings that take a minute to work through. If learning how to create space is the goal, let's be intentional and build in some space for absorbing, looking back, and taking pause.
let’s build in space for reflection :)
this week there will be no official journal prompts, just a loving reminder to make space to breathe and regroup. If you feel moved, please hit reply and let me know how things are going for you!
This wraps Week 4...thank you for taking time to explore spacemaking from a place of reflection!
If you feel inspired to share any takeaways, examples in your own home, or questions that came up for you, please access Spatial Medium on LinkedIn or Instagram. Please be sure to add #12weeksofspacemaking and tag @spatialmedium so I can see what you post!