Rediscovering Passions & Hobbies in Your Newly Transformed Sanctuary 

For many families, this time of year brings into focus one of life’s rites of passage — graduation ceremonies, festivities, and the subsequent moves that follow. This life event comes with a myriad of emotions as everyone prepares for the transition. This exciting period ushers in hope and the promise of what lies ahead for the graduate and for those remaining in place. It can allow a moment to rethink the family home and how to intentionally refine the space to fill that void. It is a bittersweet moment as a parent. Instead of focusing on the loss, steel yourself from "Momancholy," and embrace it as an opportunity

This is a great time to ask yourself, "What do *I* want to do with that space now?" Perhaps you’ve kept an extra room devoted to your kid’s studies or extracurricular activities that can now become a space to support YOU and your long-lost hobby or passions. Is it a new office or refined guest room you crave? So many options exist. (Of course, you’ll keep a few familiar items to make them feel welcomed every time they return.)

Or maybe you simply want your child’s bedroom to become a dedicated sanctuary for you since they’ll be away the majority of the year. What interests have gone to the wayside in recent years? For all those who have parented full-time, this shift can be an opportunity to get a bit selfish and reconsider interests that may have gotten delayed or dropped while attending to other things (and people).

Having established a vision for the future, it's time to take action. Before summer madness ensues, schedule time to begin the purging/sorting alongside your graduate. It’s likely their summer will be highly committed with work, social activities, and purchasing things for the next adventure, so it’s best to get this project completed ASAP. Allow this to be an enjoyable time to share with your young adult. Put a date in the calendar to tackle this task as a pair, and pop on some tunes. Give yourself and your graduate ample time to reminisce and keep what matters most. It can be a bonding exercise as you discover what feels meaningful from their childhood. This doesn't have to be a chore or punishment; use it as a special excuse to celebrate the memories while clearing the path for the future.

It's best to have a plan for the possessions you all no longer want or need. Is there a friend or family member who may benefit from the bounty? Consider nonprofits and organizations that align with your values, and do thorough research on what each currently needs (and where there may already be a surplus). Get creative; some items might go to a local neighborhood or Facebook Buy Nothing group. For other possessions that likely won’t be accepted and will become landfill, like open jars of paint and other partially used art supplies, for example, think about passing them along to a young neighbor or nearby daycare/Sunday school that would be excited to receive the gift. Create and fill boxes, bags, or totes that you've labeled "Donate," "Recycle," "Trash," and "Store."

After you’ve sufficiently purged the space, start thinking about how you’ll set it up to best fit your future vision. Having considered all the thrilling things you might do with the new space — whether you turn it into a music studio, quiet reading room, tranquil meditation retreat, or crafting room for sewing, collaging, or jewelry making, be sure it excites you enough to help keep "Momancholy" at bay.

A fresh coat of paint lays the groundwork for a redefined space. Additionally, consider the type of furniture and built-ins needed to support its new purpose. Drawers, cabinets, or open shelving designed in various configurations can support your new space. Some may choose to install a wall-bed so the space converts to a bedroom when your child is home from break. Or a sit-and-stand desk could work well for crafters who want to have the option to work at various heights, like sewers who cut out patterns up high, and later use machines down on a lower level. So many choices!

As you prep your child, yourself, and the room for its next iteration of life, let California Closets help you make space for what belongs. Our design professionals can create custom solutions for the whole home to fit your needs and enrich your interior life.

Call 503.885.8211 to set up a complimentary in-home consultation. You can also either visit us at www.calclosets.com, or stop into one of our local showrooms located in the Pearl in Portland, West Linn (exit 8 off of 205), Vancouver at Grand Central, and down in Bend on Newport Ave.