We’re hoping you’ve built your den by now, how’s it looking? Let’s turn to what happening on the inside…….of both you and the den! What we mean is that during these times when everything feels different and uncertain, it’s good to be surrounded by things that can help.
We want to decorate and furnish the den with things that can be healthy distractions or can make things feel a little easier.
Here’s our Den Design Checklist. You’re Den can change into many different spaces throughout the day:
The Games Room
If you are feeling low and you feel like just curling up and hiding away, we know it can be good to ‘do the opposite’. Play your favourite computer game or watch a film that gets you on the edge of your seat. You’ll want to have all your favourite activities close to hand for when you feel the need to change how you’re feeling.
Den Furnishing
What needs to go in your Den? Think about how you like to feel. A blanket to curl up in, something soft to lie down on, something to lean against when you’re doing things or playing games. You don’t need to reorganise the entire house, just borrow a few items to get it properly equipped!
The Library
What’s around the house that you like reading or flicking through? If you’re having a difficult day and your feeling sad, it will help to read or watch something that creates other emotions. A thriller or adventure story would be a great thing to focus on, but keep a selection so that you have something to focus on when you’re feeling many different ways.
The Shed
Well if adults can have their place to make things, then so should we!
The den can become your space to make things for yourself but also for others. Keep your creative stuff in a box, gather some paper and think about the cards, pictures and messages that you can create for others. It really does help to focus on helping others get through the day with your creations
Den Decoration
The rainbow pictures that we see around really affect our mood. They give us hope and the colours uplift us. You can make one just for your own den, but you can also surround yourself with pictures of animals, people, friends, places that make you feel good!
Den Noticeboard
We can’t plan what we’ll be doing for certain in the future, but we can keep a list of things we definitely want to fit into our next few days. You can make a noticeboard using anything from an old piece of cardboard, to clothes pegs for attaching reminders of the ‘things to do’.
The Office
When you’re having to stay inside, it can be distracting to try and do your school work. The Den is a good place where you can focus on what you’re doing.
Den Signs
Let’s start by thinking of the basics: ‘This is MY den’, ‘Visits by Appointment Only’, ‘Do not disturb’, ‘Entrance this way’. You can also have signs that are there to encourage you. We all need some of that at the moment! ‘You will make it through!’, ‘There’s always a rainbow after the rain’.