From Darkness to Design: A Healing Journey with Sachi Living

In 2022, I WAS BRAVE enough to admit I was sick. 

I struggled with work life balance, working over 12 hours.

I felt lonely after moving to a new continent far from everything I knew and loved. 

Add in 2 years of enduring a pandemic I became physically & mentally unwell.

I dealt with debilitating back issues leaving me bedridden with nocturnal panic attacks. 

I was severely burnt out, suffering from high anxiety, and depression. 

In 2023 I WAS BRAVE enough to ask for help.

I immersed myself in a world focused on recovery. 

I invested in professional help and mental health courses. 

I spent endless hours reading, researching, and reflecting. 

I put all I learned into practice developing new habits and coping mechanisms.

As 2024 Unfolds, I AM BRAVE enough to embrace my truth. 

For the past 2 years I’ve hesitated to share my story, especially with those closest to me. 

I had so much self-doubt, lacked self-love and confidence. 

I felt a lot of shame, and I feared people's judgment.

But if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that no one deserves to experience what I did. 

In my new journey, I take pride in saying I AM BRAVE enough to help others. 

As a healthcare interior designer, I’ve combined my expertise in designing spaces that promote healing with my knowledge of well-being and mental health. 

With my Sachi Method, my mission is to enhance wellbeing through intentional design and living. If we don’t create and control our environment, our environment will create and control us. 

Together let’s create an intentional living space tailored to you, empowering you to take control of your own life. 

If I can help just one person come out of a dark place then everything I experienced would have been worth it.  

Ana Alfelor Mäkelä

Founder of Sachi Living

Why Finding Quiet Moments Should be a Priority in Your Busy Life

In our fast-paced lives, it's become all too easy to fill every spare moment with constant activity and distractions. We're always rushing from one task to another, trying to keep up with our busy schedules and the demands of the modern world. But have you ever stopped and wondered why we're so eager to fill every blank space in our lives? Is there something we're missing out on by neglecting the need for stillness?

In the midst of our hectic schedules, we often find ourselves caught up in a whirlwind of work, chores, and social events. We allow distractions like movie marathons and scrolling through social media to consume our every second. While external factors may play a part in keeping us fixated, it's crucial that we take notice of how we spend our time and where we choose to place our focus.

Yet, in our quest to fill every waking moment, we often overlook one of life's profound truths: the necessity of finding a moment of stillness. It is in these moments that we can reflect, reconnect with ourselves, and uncover where we truly need to be.

One of the great things I've learned since moving to Finland is their culture for valuing downtime. During my first experience to a Finnish 'Mökki' life (lakeside cottage surrounded by nature and tranquility), I initially felt a sense of restlessness and discomfort. The idea of sitting quietly without a specific goal or a to-do list seemed foreign and wasteful. Thoughts of productivity and making every second count raced through my mind.

However, as I delved deep into the journey of self-awareness, I began to comprehend the true yearning of my mind and body for those moments of stillness. They craved the space to cultivate creativity and, most importantly, room for personal growth. It was through embracing stillness that I discovered the power it holds within our lives.

Overcoming the Addiction to Busyness:

Our world is addicted to hustle. We are bombarded with distractions constantly, making it challenging to carve out time for ourselves. That's why it's crucial to intentionally build an environment that nurtures our well-being. By taking small steps to create space for stillness, we can provide our body and our minds with a sanctuary for growth and transformation.

Embrace Stillness Today:

I encourage you to pause, clear out your calendar, and turn off your devices. Find a quiet corner, and for as little as five minutes or as long as an hour, simply sit with yourself in silence. Allow the stillness to wash over you, and be open to what arises. It is in these moments of intentional stillness that we can uncover our true passions, desires, and paths forward.

In a world that demands our constant attention, finding moments of stillness can be revolutionary. Let us remember the words of Dodinsky, "Find a moment of stillness, give your heart a chance to tell you where you really need to be." Embrace the power of stillness, create an environment for yourself to thrive, and embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery. Through intentional stillness, we can reclaim our lives and find the balance and healing we seek.

The Power of Your Environment: Finding Balance in a Work-From-Home World

"If we don't create and control our environment, our environment creates and controls us."

It's a statement that rings with profound truth, yet many of us underestimate just how much our surroundings shape our lives.

The Subtle Dictator: Your Environment

Think about it – when you walk into a fine dining restaurant, you instinctively know there are certain things you can or cannot do. The atmosphere dictates your behavior. The same goes for entering a religious sanctuary or a corporate office. The setting influences how we work, how we behave, and even how we feel.

In recent years, one notable shift has occurred in our daily lives. The rise of remote work has dramatically altered the way we interact with our surroundings. While working from home offers incredible flexibility and freedom, it comes with its own set of challenges, particularly when it comes to our overall well-being.

The Allure and Pitfalls of Working from Home

For some, working from home is a dream come true. It offers the opportunity to explore different corners of the world, pursue careers from remote locations, and enjoy a level of freedom that traditional office jobs can't provide.

However, there's a flip side to the coin. Working from home can be a double-edged sword. If you're someone with exceptional focus and the ability to seamlessly transition between tasks, it's an excellent option. But it can also erase the clear line between work and personal life, leading to a messy confluence of both.

Consider this: I found myself in a one-bedroom apartment with my husband, both of us working from home. Our dining table doubled as our workspace, positioned right in the heart of our open living and kitchen area. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, our living space became a workplace.

Every day, our living area transformed into an office, despite it looking nothing like one. We'd pack away our makeshift office on weekends, but on weekdays, the moment I stepped out of the bedroom, my laptop was there, demanding attention. The line between work and personal life blurred until it was nearly indistinguishable.

I realized that the imbalance in my well-being was directly linked to how I managed my work life within my living space. They had merged into one giant, messy entity, and it was affecting my focus, relaxation, and overall happiness.

Creating a Clear Separation

To regain control over my well-being, I knew I needed to create a separation between work and personal life. The solution for me was to use a co-working space. It offered a clear boundary between work and relaxation, and it made a significant difference in my focus and productivity.

My body and mind recognized that when I was in the co-working space, it was time to work. But the moment I returned home, it was time to unwind, spend time with my husband, and engage in activities that brought joy.

If co-working spaces aren't accessible, there are other methods to establish a clear separation within your home. Create a designated work area, optimize lighting for productivity (using white light for work and warmer light for relaxation), and keep your workspace clutter-free. Packing up your tools when you're done simulates the transition from the workplace to home, allowing you to mentally switch off from work.

Another powerful approach is to connect with nature. If possible, have a view of nature from your workspace. It's not only visually refreshing but also emotionally grounding.

The Sachi Living Approach

The principles we follow at Sachi Living are designed to help individuals create environments that promote intentional living. We believe in crafting spaces that support both productive work and relaxation.

By employing these tools and fostering self-awareness through the Sachi practices, you can cultivate a healthier environment. The result? A more balanced and fulfilling life, where you can thrive in both work and personal spheres.

Remember, it's all about recognizing the impact of your environment and taking intentional steps to shape it in a way that serves your well-being. Your environment doesn't have to control you – you have the power to control it.

Let's make our environments work for us, not against us, and find that harmonious balance we all deserve.