By the end of my time traveling the country, I tallied up a lean 18 homes that I had lived in. When I would call my friends to tell them about the owners of the homes that I was staying at, they joked that these women were all future versions of me. I didn’t disagree. I have a knack for selecting Air Bnbs, picking up on the subtleties of a space, and finding the ones that are my perfect matchmake.

The Art of Reading Between the Photos

I didn’t care that the kitchen had a high tech dishwasher or a Keurig machine, I was staring at the carefully labeled mason jars of Mung Beans. Vessels of almonds and healing herbs smiling in the background, pushing a value of health to the foreground. In a photo of the foyer, I saw a yoga mat against the wall, telling me they honored their body, and made movement a ritual. I wasn’t impressed by a TV with fancy streaming, but I took note of the record player and guitars in their living. I saw a creative mind, and a person of passions. I wanted to be submerged in a space of compassion. I looked for dimmable lights, excess pillows and blankets. These objects of warmth, a restful banquet. I did not like a home that was freshly renovated, where modern material synthetics incubated. The scent of toxic paint pushed me away, and bright LEDs made me feel like prey. I looked for an abundance of windows and skylights, which allowed me to feel awake and free…Faceted crystals in windows, books on metaphysics and meditation, and an abundance of plants, were all green flags for me.

Find Your Space Embrace

This is certainly not a checklist for you, as I’m not sure that a lemon tree and tarot deck would make you perk up the way I do. This is, however, a suggestion to pay attention to the hidden clues, and to find the sacred spaces that are uniquely aligned to you.

My hidden talent as an Air Bnb matchmaker has placed me in some magical homes. As I constantly moved from place to place, I found it essential to have a home-base that made me feel supported and embraced. I strategically looked for places that felt like me.

Ask Yourself

As you move forward in your rental searches throughout life, I encourage you to ask a few questions before committing to a place:

How do you want to feel?

What is the purpose of this travel? A contemporary stay of crisp whites, square edges, minimally dressed, is going to facilitate sharper, more regimented thinking. A cozy cabin perched on a mountainside will provide safety and comfort whilst encouraging expanding thinking with its vast views. An old home, carefully cluttered with meaningful objects from a well traveled soul, will spark creativity within.

Who lives there?

Become a space detective. When you look through the listing photos, try to imagine the person behind closed doors. Or take it a step further, read the owner’s bio and intuit their persona. See what similarities you might share. I steer away from “investment” spaces that are not inhibited by an individual, and used solely as a rental. Why? I’m looking for personality! I want to feel an energy. You will find comfort and curiosity in spaces whose frequencies align to your own.

How else can I capitalize on this experience?

An Air Bnb is so much more than a roof over your head. Your stay contains just as much opportunity for divine connection as your night at the poetry sharing or that group hike on Saturday. Think back to the owners — I might intentionally rent a room so that I can share a cup of coffee with them in the morning. Tap into your intuition and consider how this new relationship might inspire or expand your life. Assess the neighborhood and shared spaces. Who is magnetized to this home?

I can’t tell you the number of friends and mentors that I have met through my rentals. I’ve been referred for work opportunities. I’ve been asked to private wineries. I’ve even been invited back over for a late night bonfire and warm curry salmon soup. Be open to the serendipitous human connection that might come about from your space selection.

Other Quick Tips For Choosing A Space:

Newer isn’t always better. We often FEEL spaces more than we SEE them. I challenge you to think energetically about the space and experience that it will provide you.

Choose spaces with authentic wood floors over wood-look vinyls.

Sway towards warm, natural pallets as opposed to gray neutrals.

Look for lamps and tiered lighting alternatives (instead of only overhead lights). This allows you to control the mood and energy of the space.

Pick spaces with living indoor plants, or green views directly outside the windows.

If you plan to spend a lot of daytime in the space, strive for big windows with ample natural lighting.

Wood, thrifted and vintage furniture carry more grounding and wisdom than modern, multi-manufactured pieces.

Hidden wires and no electronic disruptors.

Softness and comfort through layers of rugs, drapery, pillows and blankets.

Think about your routine - What do you need to thrive?

• A space to lay out your yoga mat? A corner lounge chair for an evening read. A green neighborhood for a morning walk? A coffee shop in walking distance. The nuances will make your experience.

Closing Thoughts

There is no "right" way to selecting a space. Like anything I share, these are perspectives for you to try on. If you like the fit, keep em. If not, let it go. Choosing a space is really about becoming deeply attuned to the experience you want to have, your personal needs, and allowing your intuition to take the wheel.

Thank you for reading.

In Gratitude,

Jill