Some of my best ideas come to me when I’m on my yoga mat or spending time in nature by myself. How about you? What have you noticed when you create space in your life; e.g. when you sit still, stop doing and get out of your head and into your body? Feel free to add to the list below.
What happens when we create space?
We feel:
- Calm and relaxed
- Playful
- Free
- More Joy
- Connected to our “true” selves
We:
- are open to new people and opportunities coming into our lives
- allow negative thoughts and emotions to surface and be released
- provide space for creative ideas to emerge
- experience improved health
- get clear on what is really important to us.
How can we create space? Here are a few ways I’ve found helpful.
- Spending time in nature
- Meditating daily
- Leaving my calendar “open”
- Doing yoga 3 times a week
- Painting
- Journaling regularly
How can you start “Creating Space” in Your Life?
I – A good place to begin is by answering the following questions:
- What fills me up? and 2) What drains me?
Here are a few examples to get you started
What fills me up?
- Spending time in nature
- Painting
- Writing
- Regular Yoga practice
- Spending time with my grandbabies
What drains me?
- So many emails
- Feeling responsible for others
- A totally planned and structured life
- The “shoulds” in my life
- Old programming that says in order for me to be loved and valued I need to achieve and perform.
II – Review your two lists/ answers to what fills you up and what drains you. Commit to integrating two or more items from “what fills you up” into your life starting tomorrow and start to reduce and eliminate two or more items that “drain you”. Over time, continue adding and eliminating things from your lists and notice how you feel and what your days look like.
It is important to do this in your own time, listening to your body. Remember this is not a race or an opportunity to say to yourself “look at all the new things I’m doing”. Rather, it is to assist you in getting out of your head and into your body; to becoming more consciously aware of what you do, how you feel, and what things bring you joy.
I’m doing an experiment this summer and have committed to “creating more space in my life” and to noticing what my life looks and feels like when I do this. How about you? Does this idea intrigue you?
I’d love to hear your thoughts, and strategies you use to create space in your life. Feel free to comment below and to share this post with others.
I would have to say the most powerful experience I have had when out walking and feeling the awsomeness of such beauty around me, is pure overwhelming love for such beauty and gratitude for the depth of love.
It’s when I feel connected to everything.
I just did the transition quizz. I’m in each stage as I’m dealing with 3 different situations, 2 of which overlap!!
Hi Frances, Thank you for sharing your experience. It sounds like being in nature is really powerful for you, as it is for me. Interesting about the Transition quiz. I hope you found it helpful. Warm Regards, Pam
Morning meditation and prayer time opens me up for the rest of the day with more calm and presence. Lovely post.
Hello Barb, Thanks for sharing how you start each day and how it makes you feel. Yes, meditation is oh, so grounding and opens us up to inner calm and being present. I appreciate your feedback.
“What filles me up?” and “What drains me?” and paying attention to the inner responses are such important questions. Thanks for this post.
Hi Meghan, Thanks for your feedback. Happy you found the post helpful.
Hi Pamela, I too find that nature brings space into my life! I love going for walks in the woods near my home, the trees, the animals, the quiet, free me to be more creative and more myself. I love this idea! One strategy that I use is to not open my emails until I’ve accomplished my most important tasks and to forget I have a smart phone when with family, especially my nieces and nephews (teenagers). Thank you!
Hi Kathleen, Thanks for sharing how you create space in your life. The leaving the opening of emails till after your most important tasks are done is a good one. When I’m doing anything creative (e.g. writing a blog) I use this technique as well, and only open emails after the creative work is done. I find I’m much more productive when I do that.
Attending classes at the university is what fills me up! The physical act of getting out of the house, putting all the stress back there and then walking away and forgetting about it! Not allowed to dwell on problems when I’m at school. Strengthen myself by walking in the beautiful surroundings, breathe deep, focus on myself and my studies and come back home ready to do battle with any negativities!
Hi Cynthia, Thanks for sharing what fills you up. Keep doing what you’re doing!
Is there also some way you can reframe the negativities at home? Perhaps focus on what you are grateful for there? If you continue to feel challenged at home spend as much time as you can outdoors in nature. Warmly, Pam