The Psychology of Sacred Objects
If homes are a reflection of ourselves, then what do the objects inside them say about us?
As more people jump on the minimalism train, releasing what no longer “sparks joy” for them, and finding the value of decluttering their spaces, where do “things” fit in creating a home with intention?
Many would agree that material things are far less important than experiences to our wellbeing — and this is backed by research showing that people tend to be happier with experiential purchases rather than material ones. [1]
However, we do live in a 3D reality, where interacting with physical forms and objects is necessary. And in our homes — the spaces in which we find safety — objects are, to a degree, essential to our survival. I use “objects” broadly to include furniture, as well as smaller items that we choose to incorporate into our living spaces.
When we add the word “sacred” or “spiritual” to objects, we may think of items used in religious practices or rituals. We could also consider objects that carry special meaning for the person choosing to include them in a space, such as heirlooms passed down from parents and previous generations.
Personally, I haven’t had the experience of receiving special objects passed down from my own parents, who are immigrants. My theory around why this didn’t happen is that my well-intentioned parents were focused primarily on assimilating to American culture and may have held their own biases against aspects of their cultures. A protective, survival strategy that has created a disconnect between present and past.
While a part of me feels I missed out on a special tradition of receiving significant objects from generations past, I can empathize with my parents’ feelings around surviving in a new world and wanting to create as much safety for me and my siblings as possible, even if that meant letting go of loved objects from their original homes.
Sacred or special objects in a home are more than what looks beautiful. They represent meaningful values and/or experiences in our lives. They reflect different dimensions of who we are, on a soul level. While materialism can be a negative byproduct of capitalistic systems, is it possible to choose objects intentionally and mindfully?
Here are some tips to invite more sacredness into your space, aligning objects with your values and what matters most to you:
On a piece of paper, create 2 columns. In the first column, begin listing values or categories that are important to you. Some examples are: Nature, Art, Music, Culture (you can break this down into specific cultures, if that resonates). Don’t worry too much that some values/categories may overlap (like nature and animals, or art and music).
In the second column, list as many items or objects in your home that are meaningful to you. Try not to overthink this, as it is very subjective. It can be a random Polaroid photo, a silly souvenir, a rock you found on a beach, or a beautiful piece of jewelry.
Next, try to “match” the items listed in the second column to the values/categories in the first column. Let it flow, allowing for flexibility if items can fall into multiple categories. Also notice if some items don’t seem to fit in any categories. Notice, too, if you have values or categories not currently represented by objects in your current home.
Journal around the following questions:
Which values are represented in the special objects in my home? Which values would I like to be more represented?
Are there ways I could represent more of my values that don’t include spending a bunch of money (perhaps thrifting or purchasing one small, meaningful item)?
Are there objects that don’t align with my current values (can I donate or upcycle them)? Is there any emotional reason I may still be holding on to them?
How do I feel in my body, emotionally and physically, seeing this information? (Can I give myself compassion around the pressure to have my home be “perfectly aligned” and shift into gratitude for the meaning and sacredness I already get to have in my space?)
If my home could speak, what would it say about the person I am right now?
Take your time in moving through these exercises. It might be helpful to break this into a couple of sessions where you can set up a quiet area, play some soft music, and really get into a reflective, safe space. Looking at our objects can bring up feelings around inadequacy (thanks, capitalism!), as well as memories that may be difficult to revisit. Remember to breathe, and show yourself love.
While I have reconciled the lack of generationally-gifted objects in creating my home spaces, I have enjoyed the freedom and privilege of being able to decide what I consider special or sacred. A connection to Nature is always a key aspect of my spaces, through plants, found objects, and artwork. Spirituality and wellbeing are also top values, so having a yoga mat and/or meditation cushion is a priority, as well as tarot decks and journals readily available when divine inspiration strikes. I also strongly value music, so have collected various instruments and records while living in different homes.
My values around objects have evolved and continue to do so, as I am sure is the case for you. This is part of the beauty of creating consciousness around our home spaces and regularly checking in with how they are – or aren’t – supporting the life we want to embody. While I engage in this process, I reflect on the legacy of space I want to leave behind, the loved objects I may want to pass down to future generations, family, and friends.
What sacred objects do you have in your home? How do you choose what items to keep or not? What do they say about you?
Citations:
Amit Kumar, Matthew A. Killingsworth, Thomas Gilovich. Spending on doing promotes more moment-to-moment happiness than spending on having. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 2020; 88: 103971 DOI: 10.1016/j.jesp.2020.103971