I hope you don't try coming and looking for me.
Years ago, I read somewhere about the need for safe spaces. A place where we could feel safe, feel calm, feel ourselves. Feel at peace, find peace again. It can be anywhere. It doesn't have to be a special or profound space. It is just where you feel safe, comfortable, relaxed. At ease. Years ago, one of my safe spaces was a two-story Chapters flagship underneath a movie theatre. There doesn't have to be a reason why this is a safe space. Maybe there is, but the important part is that it is simply a safe space.
Early Bird Cafe - A close-by cafe that over the years, has become something of a second home. In the last couple years, I've been branching out to other neighbouring cafes because Early Bird has gotten so crowded as it's become more popular. This space is still a home though. It is where I always come back to when I'm not feeling my happiest, not feeling my brightest. It is the familiar espresso bar, the hug of the warm latté against the back of my throat, the same wooden tables and old school chairs. The neon glow of the Early Bird sign. The hints of greenery. The faces of the baristas. It is somewhere to disappear with a book or my journal, and disappear for hours at a time.
The yoga studio - A new safe space for me. I have been practising yoga on and off for just over two years now. If we counted up the months where I practice a little more consistently, I think it is closer to a year or a year and a half. I prefer group practices. I like the voice of the teacher guiding us, I like the unified movement of everyone in the room. I like the music. I like the light. The motivation of everyone trying, everyone moving around me. I choose a different practice based on what my body needs at the time. It always helps though. It is a space away from my phone, away and separate from my place in the world. From my responsibilities, from my insecurities and inconsistencies. From the things that make me feel any sort of way - mad, or sad, or overjoyed. It is a blank slate. It is bringing myself back to my body. Back to myself. The practice of yoga has really helped ground me over these past two years of on-and-off practice. I think I really found something that has the potential to be part of the rest of my life.
Trinity Bellwoods - There's one spot that you will find me more often than not at the park. The open space, nature, the sun or setting sun, the dogs... This space speaks for itself.
Gallery hopping - While this isn't a specific space, it is a very specific practice. Art is where I have always sought comfort, always found intrigue and an openness. It is where I am most curious, but also where I am most comfortable with questions unanswered. It is very calming for me. Gallery spaces, in general, also tend to be quiet and not very busy. They're nice to sit, enjoy some art and relax. And gallery hopping is a way of losing hours to this practice.
These are my places. If I'm anxious, sad, upset, afraid, angry, or maybe just in need of somewhere to process, you'll likely find me here. Although as the prefix says and the point of safe spaces denote, don't come find me. I encourage you to find your own safe spaces though. Find somewhere that lets you come home to yourself again. Find somewhere to keep quiet and find some peace of mind.
