5 Ways to Create More Time & Space in Your Life
It’s a funny thing to love what you do; it can become so easy to get stuck in that pattern of doing.
The problem is -- doing too much can diminish our state of being.
I remember when I first heard the concept of being and not understanding how to do that. (Clearly missing the point.) I’d been training my entire life to produce, finish, or accomplish something as a way to pass the time. This was my validation -- the mark of a “good day.”
Just being sounded boring. (Like growing up in the 90s without cell phones or play stations. How the heck did we survive long lines?!) I’ll tell ya -- I was never any good at it. It wasn't until much later that I learned: living and being were actually synonymous.
When we create a space to just be, we make room for our inner voice to be heard.
This doesn't have to be just meditating. It can be...
Laying on the floor to gaze at the ceiling.
Running barefoot in the grass of a public park.
Reading for as long as you like.
Hiking in the middle of a work day.
..Without guilt, anxiety, or self judgement.
Think about it: When’s the last time you gave yourself space for being?
If you struggle with this, here are 5 ways create time & space in your life:
1. SLOW DOWN YOUR MOVEMENTS
How fast do you move between activities? When you walk from room to room, slow down your pace. When you make a pot of coffee, slow down your process. When you take a shower or brush your teeth, slow down your movements.
These are the moments we can find tremendous space (so long as we’re aware enough to slow down!). And as you practice slowing your movements down, you’ll begin to feel your heart rate slow with it. With that, anxiety relieves, overwhelm dissolves, and the space of being makes its way to your normal routine.
2. BE A RELIABLE WITNESS
If you were the only witness to a crime -- and the case depended on your acute awareness -- could you recall a specific moment in time? Imagine that moment is right now. What colors do you see around you? Could you point out the faces of strangers on the street? How many plants or buildings can you see in your frame of view?
Turn this practice into a game! The more observant you can be in your day to day life, the more present you’ll feel in the moment.
3. TAKE MINDFUL WALKS
Feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or in a brain fog? There’s practically no better cure than a mindful walk! Leave the phone inside and take a 10-20 minute walk around the block. (Bonus points for turning this into a hike!)
As you walk, notice your feet on the ground. Feel your arms swinging from side to side. Smell the fragrance of your surroundings. Notice the sky, clouds, sun, grass, trees, streets, and every other piece of life in your vision. Make it your challenge to walk in complete presence the entire time. (Trust me: when you come back, you’ll feel like a new person!)
4. EAT 1 MEAL IN COMPLETE SILENCE
(BONUS POINTS: EAT SLOWLY!)
As a Western culture, we’ve associated food with social events. And this is awesome! I mean, who doesn’t love a great dinner with friends? However, a meal can be just as special -- if not more -- when we take the time to really enjoy it.
Turning off the noise (and anything stimulating!) allows you to do that. Not only does silence help you taste every bite, you’ll simultaneously fuel your body while recharging your mind!
5. HAVE A CONSCIOUS LISTENING SESSION
Have you ever listened to the lyrics of a song intentionally?
I think I can speak for all of us when I say -- it just feels really good. It tugs on our heart chakra. And we can connect to something greater than ourselves simply through the words of a song. So why not take the time to listen more often?
Listening sessions are almost guaranteed to be a beautiful experience. Reserve 30 minutes to yourself and create a space to relax comfortably while listening to music. Turn on a playlist (here’s one to start!), close your eyes, and listen to the words of the song. Listen with both ears. And let yourself melt into the presence of music.
Being in the present moment is a practice.
We must recognize that as a culture, we’ve inherited a doing-go-masculine energy that’s dominated our individual psyches.
By inviting space into our daily lives, we create a container for our inner voice to be heard. And this is the most powerful voice of all.
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