I’ve been thinking a lot about space lately. As you know, I’ve been working on a 100 day streak for 100 healthy habits, and in doing so, it’s opened up some space in my life. I will give you an update on the 100 day streak later, just know that I haven’t kept a streak, but I’m still working on it.
Space is truly opening up in my life. And as it happens, I have realized that we often blame lack of time on what really is a lack of space. And it’s not exactly a lack of space, because when you look closely at it, that lack of space is actually simply clutter.
Space for Relationships
One of my 100 things to do is to clean something in my office everyday. I have been doing just that, and my office is gaining space. I have desk space where once I had piles and schmews of papers. And if I keep it up, I will have filing space that right now is jammed with drafts of manuals that I don’t need to keep, but haven’t taken the time to go through.
Best of all, I am keeping my extra office chair open. That leaves space for my coworkers and I am able to serve them better when they can pull that chair up to my computer with me. There’s not this awkward, “here let me move my things so you can sit in my office.” Instead, it’s an obvious space for visitors (i.e. coworkers) who come because they need to meet with me about something. I have taken that space and opened it up for them, thereby making them feel welcome in my office right from the start. Instead, I can motion to the chair that I have kept open, for them.
I hope and assume that this makes them feel more welcome, but one thing for certain—it has changed my perspective. I look at their visit differently. Suddenly, because I’ve made space for them with the chair, and I’m organized enough to get right down to business, I don’t feel like I “don’t have time” for this visit. I feel ready and able to help them.
Space for Productivity
The space is happening at home too (and yes, that’s part of my 100 things to do), and I have space on my closet floor where once was strewn all of my many pairs of shoes. And I have space on my racks where I once kept clothes I no longer wore.
When I’ve created space in my closets, my office and my house in general, I find that I am more organized, and therefore, more productive. I’ve created “space” for productivity. Being productive makes me feel better about myself at work, and gives me more “space” to work on the things I want to work on at home–and not just the things I need to work on.
Finding that “space” for me means I have more room for my creative pursuits as well as my responsibilities. Aha! Maybe not having time to work on my hobby project wasn’t a lack of time at all. Maybe, just maybe, looking at time and space from a different perspective opened me up to the possibility of producing some of it for myself.
Space for Health
Another one of my 100 things to do is yoga everyday. Now, since I got on this yoga kick, I’ve been pretty regular about it, but now I’m thinking of it differently, and I’m doing it quite consistently. But as space has opened up in other areas of my life, this word has been drifting around in my mind, and I remembered how I am supposed to keep my chest open in certain poses, to create that “space” for my lungs, chest, my heart. I am breathing better, remembering the power of intentional breathing in my yoga practice and how circulating that air through my open chest is beneficial to me. Inhalation of spirit, exhalation of waste. An open chest creates that “space” for spirit, which produces a deeper exhalation of waste.
This Space is Whitespace
This “space” I’m referring to in this post, is really that “whitespace” which is this blog’s namesake. When we create space, when we open things up, it creates room for something else. That “something else” doesn’t have to be a physical replacement. It can be mental, emotional, financial . . . anything. And yes, it can be something negative too. So watch out for that, and as you think about where you can make space in your life, concentrate on the goodness that you can allow into it. Be sensitive to the goodness, because if you ignore it, it might go away.
Take Action; Create Space
Look at your life. Where can you create space? Is it your refrigerator? Your closets? Is there some way you can create space in your finances? Do you need space in your thoughts?
So, the next time you think to yourself or say, “I just don’t have the time . . . ” stop and think of it as space. Where can you create space that will produce time for you? I guarantee that making space in some shape or form will create something magnificent, something that you didn’t expect.
Bethany – this just made my list of my favorite Bethany post! It’s very deep, yet very simple. I think you need to posterize this quote:
“we often blame lack of time on what really is a lack of space. And it’s not exactly a lack of space, because when you look closely at it, that lack of space is actually simply clutter.”
I agree with Dan. This post is one of your best yet!
Thanks Dan and Cheryl! I’m glad you like it.
Tremendous post, very inspirational. Thanks for the tips on creative space in my life!!
You are quite welcome, Grace. Thank you for reading.
Gerald, someone else mentioned what you just said–that idea of productivity. And I totally agree with you. I really hope you do create some more space for yourself. Come back and let me know!
Great post. I know I can definitely create some whitespace with those little time-wasters like checking FB, YouTube for an hour after watching that one video I actually went there for, checking website stats, etc.
Even an hour of this stuff a day eliminates momentum and could be filled with something much more meaningful – like writing.
I also tend to leave clothes all over the floor lol… can literally make whitespace once I can see my tile floor again haha.
I totally know what you mean about the time wasters. I too, have fallen to those darn time-wasters. Youtube is the worst for me. I find I have to use great discipline to go on YouTube,, get in, watch the video I want and get out. Scheduled time for stuff like browsing randomly is a good way to do this. If I schedule time for random browsing, then I don’t feel the need as much to randomly browse when I need to be doing other things.
Awesome post. I really needed this right now. Thanks
Timing makes all the difference in our reception to writings. I am glad I caught you at the right time, Elizabeth.
WOW!. You have given much to think about, my garage for one… LOL. It clutters my mind with the thought that it needs to change. But let’s not stop there. My closet too could use a little “white space”. I do agree with the others, this is your best post in a very long time.
Yes, lovely post and on a topic I hold near and dear to my heart. I’ve always liked making space, whether it be by getting rid of belongings or clearing out all that “stuff” in my head. Doing so always makes me feel healthier.
and health is what its all about. Its the same reason I like to clear space too.
What a great post……….I often have no space in my life and in my house………….try as I do to change things I always seem to fail………
What a great post! This has something of the aesthetic of Japanese art – it’s all about the white space, having room to breathe and think. Something that I aspire to in theory and, sadly, often fail in practice.
But this is why we call it “practice”–because we are practicing. In practice, we are bound to fall down. Pick yourself back up and keep trying, Marina. If this is what you aspire to in theory, then when you “get it” you will find a lot more harmony in your life in general.
I hate clutter and love simplicity so this post is something I totally agree with Bethany. The one thing I find helpful is to take it one step at a time as once you create space in one area it motivates you to create space in the next one.
Yes, you are totally right! Because you see the benefits of that extra space and it keeps you moving. Thanks for stopping by Susan.
How did you create that space? Did you throw out a lot of those papers and hobby stuff so that you don’t have to think of them again?
i always wonder, how to create room for things….I am really going to think about it. Bethany, you stirred something inside me.
Oh, I would not throw away my hobby things. I enjoy my hobbies. But there are so many other things that we can get rid of. Things that we don’t use. Like, clothes for instance–if you have clothes that you haven’t worn in a year, why are you keeping them? I am using this idea now to whittle down my closet. It’s working. But then, don’t replace that space with more stuff you won’t use. Be mindful, thoughtful of what you put in there.
I love the idea of creating space, espcially for productivity. I feel like the more I cram into my day, the less my work “counts for.”
Cheers to you,
Courtney
I do agree with that, Courtney. You can’t focus as well when you have all the “junk” around you. For me, it feels distracting.
Great post
I like the first part about cleaning your office every day to make space. My girlfriend is always telling me I need to tidy and throw things away. I have things that are years old, so tomorrow I am going to tidy. I have found that when I operate in a tidier and clearer environment, my mind has a greater clarity, which leads to greater productivity. This post is right on the money.
Hey Bethany Lee, I nominated you for a Liebster Award. Check out the details here: http://lifesbetterinyogapants.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-liebster-award.html
Lynette–thanks so much for the Liebster Award!! I will check out your post soon!
Your post has Brilliant and simple insights within a busy world where the things that matter the most don’t get our attention anymore.
Thanks for the space you are making for me…
You are welcome Maurice. I look forward to reading your blog as well. Thanks for stopping by.
Bethany, this is wonderful! I love how practical and yet inspiring it is. I am working on making space in my life, also.
Thanks Janelle! I would love to hear about the space you make in your life on your blog