If Zen is a state, then surely it can’t be a room, right? Loy Norrix says wrong.

Amid the noise of crowded hallways, packed schedules, and constant notifications, there’s a quiet space tucked away in our school that many students have come to appreciate: the Zen Room. The Zen Room is a relaxing space inside the library that is run by restorative justice interventionist Christina Steensma with the intention to provide a safe space for students and teachers to resolve problems and take it easy.

“The main purpose of the Zen Room is to have a comfortable place for people to relax and vent,” Steensma said. “It’s also there to solve conflicts.”

Steensma decorated the room with soft lighting, comfortable chairs and snacks to help those who stop by feel at ease. Students and teachers can choose from a variety of calming tools, such as fidget toys, bubbles or beanbags. Junior Alyvia Walker says her favorite feature of the room is the spinning chair near Steensma’s desk.

“As soon as you walk in,” said Walker, “it feels like all your problems are pushed away. It feels like there’s no one there judging you.”

And that’s exactly the point. The Zen Room isn’t about grades or he-said-she-said. It’s about emotional safety. It offers students a space where they can pause, reflect, and be without pressure and judgment. Walker and Steensma often find that peace circles are a good way to resolve conflicts rather than getting into arguments.

“I like to do circles,” said Steensma. “A lot of kids like to do circles to solve their issues.”

Peace circles are when a group of willing participants sit in a circle. They begin with icebreakers to relieve any tension and then have a chance to speak what’s on their minds or get something off their chests.

“Usually, after a while in the circle, the conflict is resolved,” Walker said. “I do the peace circles because I feel that it’s better to get the conflict resolved than to end up fighting.”

If you haven’t checked it out yet, consider stopping by. Whether you need a moment of peace or just want to try something new, the Zen Room is a small space with a big impact.