Creating a Home That Heals After Loss: A Space That Can Help You Find Hope

I remember standing in the middle of my new home, staring at blank walls that felt as empty as I did. The house was new, fresh, and untouched by memories of my late husband’s presence...

Though I hated it, part of me knew that was what was needed. I had stayed in the home we had created together for years after he died by suicide, holding onto the precious, good memories of another lifetime. But eventually, I knew that there were other memories there keeping me stuck - keeping me from continued healing.

There came a point where, for me, a change in homes, location, and scenery was part of my process to rebuild something beautiful in this new life I had been forced into. But beyond the new, blank white walls, there was work to be done. Part of my healing was creating a space that was healing for my family.

In my darkest season—when the weight of grief and hopelessness made every breath feel impossible—I needed something, anything, to remind me that light still existed.

That’s when I started putting up tangible reminders of truth. A verse that I could see every time I climbed into my empty, lonely bed. A note on the bathroom mirror that whispered, “You are still here.” A piece of art in the dining room created by hand; a quote from a book which reminded me I still had access to Holy Joy.

These small changes didn’t erase my pain, but they did something powerful: they kept me fighting.

If you’re grieving or struggling with hopelessness, your environment can either deepen the darkness or become a place of refuge. But what if your home could be more than just four walls? What if it could actually help you heal?

Why Your Space Matters More Than You Realize

When you’re drowning in grief or depression, your surroundings can feel like a mirror of your internal struggle—cluttered, chaotic, lifeless. Research has shown that the spaces we inhabit deeply impact our mental health. A 2016 study published in The Journal of Environmental Psychology found that clutter increases stress and anxiety, while organized, visually calming environments promote relaxation and emotional regulation.

For those grieving, every object holds meaning. The unwashed coffee cup on the counter might remind you of the last morning you shared. The silence of an untouched chair may echo the absence you feel in your heart.

If we do not recognize the things that bring us sorrow rather than comfort (and exercise our power to make changes), it’s no wonder that being in our home can sometimes feel suffocating.

But here’s the good news: You don’t have to stay stuck in that heaviness. You can take small, intentional steps to make your home a place that breathes life back into you.

Turning Your Home into a Healing Space

Your home can be a place that fosters hope, not just houses memories. Creating a healing environment isn’t about erasing the past—it’s about making space for the future.

After my husband’s suicide, there came a time when I needed to move homes. It wasn’t an easy decision, but it gave me the opportunity to intentionally create a space filled with light and truth. I didn’t realize it then, but what I was doing aligned with what psychologists call environmental healing—curating surroundings that uplift rather than weigh you down.

So, how do you do that? How do you transform your home into a place that helps you heal instead of pulling you deeper into pain?

3 Practical Ways to Make Your Home a Place of Healing

1) Declutter with Purpose

Clearing out physical clutter can actually help clear emotional clutter. This doesn’t mean throwing away everything that reminds you of your loved one—but it does mean choosing what to keep with intention. Keep what brings comfort, not just what triggers sadness.

Remember, your loved one doesn't live on through the "stuff," they live on through you. I knew my husband did not want me to be paralyzed in grief and pain, but to keep living - and that was motivation for me to keep moving forward. Action Step: Take one small area (a drawer, a shelf, a corner of a room) and remove items that don’t serve your healing. Replace them with something that sparks peace—a candle, a framed quote, or a simple plant. If it's something that does bring light and joy, then display it.

2) Surround Yourself with Hopeful Reminders

When darkness creeps in, visual reminders of truth can anchor you in light. Scripture, uplifting quotes, or artwork can gently shift your focus from despair to hope. This is why I started placing messages of hope around my house—because I needed truth in front of me, constantly.

Action Step: Choose one spot in your home to add a tangible reminder of hope. Whether it’s a framed verse, a print that speaks life, or even a sticky note with a simple, encouraging word—make it visible! Preferably in a place where you will see it when you need it (bathroom mirror, on your morning coffee mug, wall art in a particular location, etc.).

3) Create a Light-Filled Space

Natural light has been proven to improve mood and mental clarity. Studies show that exposure to sunlight increases serotonin, which helps combat depression. Letting in light—both physically and spiritually—can be a step toward healing.

Action Step: Each morning, open the curtains in your home. Let the light in. If natural light is limited, add soft, warm lighting that creates a comforting atmosphere (I did this with a special lighted tree in my bedroom that I really enjoyed).

Bonus Tip: Live plants and flowers also can bring some life and goodness into your space!

A Shop Built on Hope

The idea behind our family's HOPE Shop was born from this very need—to have daily, tangible reminders of truth in front of me when the hopeless thoughts and feelings were so constant.

My daughters and I hand-design every product with the purpose of helping others hold onto hope in their darkest seasons. Whether you need a reminder for yourself or want to encourage someone else, these small tokens of hope can make all the difference.

“Amazing designs!!! You never know who might need it and they’ll see these shirts or items and feel like God is speaking to them to keep going. They’ll see it as a sign to keep fighting, and that’s amazing.” -Kristiane G.

👉 Visit The HOPE Shop

Final Encouragement

Friend, I know the weight of grief. I know what it’s like to feel trapped in hopelessness. But I also know this: You are still here. And as long as you are here, hope is still within reach.

Let’s fill our spaces with reminders of truth, and keep walking it out, one step at a time. 💛

With you,

Rachel

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