Creating Space

It's time for a shift. Seasonally we're barreling into summer (especially here in the DC area where highs are forecasted into the 90s for the next few days!) and personally I'm exploring ways to create more ease and space in my life.

I recently came across this post from writer Gloria Alamrew:

"My life will be a practice in joy."

YES.

Over the past few months I've been looking toward summer with excitement accompanied by a little bit of unease. After many hours of excel spreadsheets, conversations with friends, and moments of quiet reflection, I've decided that a shift in my work schedule is one way to move toward this different way of living.

The process hasn't been easy - battling with the cultural message that we should always be striving for more and making the decision to pause a yoga class I've been teaching for over 7 years have been just a couple of the challenges.

Each challenge brings the reminder: rest is a practice.

In a culture where exhaustion is seen as a status symbol and we're programmed for "achievement autopilot" - not to mention the added challenge of raising young children in the middle of a pandemic - it can be a HARD practice.

I've also been inspired by Brene Brown's announcement of a 14 week personal sabbatical and paid Fridays off plus an additional four weeks of paid vacation time this summer and for everyone her organization (!!!).

She opened with this quote: ​

She continues:

"If you wrote this quote as a formula, it might look like this: S( )R."

Stimulus. S P A C E. Response.

The current amount of stimulation in our lives is overwhelming. I've heard from so many of you that something has to change.

You may not be able to rearrange your schedule or take a 14 week sabbatical. Your organization is likely not giving everyone paid Fridays off or an extra 4 weeks of vacation this summer.

Creating a little space could be a breath, a savasana, a conversation with a friend, a nap.

It could be coming to our next community play date!

As I practice making space, I'll still be facilitating circles on my screened-in porch, working with clients one-on-one, and teaching a bit. I'll also be visiting friends and family and spending more time in nature.

I hope you'll find time this summer for a little space - to get away for a few days, take some long solo walks, or just close your eyes and take a deep breaths a few times a week. Maybe even today you can take one moment to notice before responding - whether that's to yourself, your child, or to make a big life-changing decision.
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Do you have ideas for making space? We'd love to hear them!