When we have a lot on our metaphorical plates like many of us do right now, we tend to put our heads down and just try to plow through our lists.
These Making Space posts are intended to encourage you to look up every now and then and try to find ways to take care of yourself – the person managing that unwieldy list.
I’m this post, I’m hoping to encourage you to not only make space for today’s you but to make a little extra room for a future you, as well.
Don’t worry, I’m not going to go all science fiction-y on you here, I’m just wondering if there is anything your current self has time to do that will help future you have some extra time or a little more brainspace?
As in, what is something you will need tomorrow, Friday, next week, on January 2nd, or whenever that you can start to put in place right now?
I don’t necessarily mean going out to buy things in advance – although that can be handy. I’m thinking of things like making up a guest bed now instead of right before the guests arrive. Or baking and freezing a cake today so you don’t have to bake it right before the party. Or setting a reminder to pick up ice on the way to your Aunt’s place so you don’t have to keep trying to remember it. Or, like scheduling some downtime the morning after a hectic event. Or putting the files you’ll need on your first day back in your top drawer. Or making notes on that report so you can have a head start when you return to it.
That isn’t an exhaustive list, of course, only you know how to best make space for your future self.
And, no matter what you choose, or how small a space you manage to create, I’m sure that future you will be grateful for the breathing room. 💚
Gentle reminder: I know I have suggested this before but remember that you can also create space for your future self by deciding to drop some of those ‘if I have time’ items from your list in advance.
Martha’s 2020 post for today was Get close to water and that’s great advice if you need a little peace of mind or a way to refresh. Taking a shower or bath can help you create a little mental space and getting near water can do the same thing.
If a shower/bath/visit to the water isn’t possible for the rest of your day, maybe these videos can offer a similar feeling of refreshment.
The first is ‘water element’ yoga at the beach and the second is 5 minutes of a waterfall video for meditation.
If the sound of running water makes you need to pee, visit the bathroom before that second video. 😉
Whether your water-based mental space comes from a shower, a video, or a frosty glass, I wish you ease today and always.
Please be kind to yourself. ⭐️💚
About Making Space 2022
About Making Space 2022
In December 2020, Fit is a Feminist Issue blogger Martha created a tradition – a series of reminder posts to take good care of ourselves during this last month of the year when it is far too easy to get swept up in your to do list, no matter what you are celebrating or not celebrating. Last year, it was my turn and after an introductory Go Team post called Give Yourself Some Space, I created a series of reminders called ‘Making Space‘ that offered a suggested short exercise video and a suggested meditation in case you needed an easy way to find space for yourself in your schedule.
For 2022, I’ll be doing the same thing but I’ll also be including a link to Martha’s post from the same date in 2020 and I’ll offer a few extra ideas for relaxation, creativity, and self-kindness here and there.
These posts are not about insisting that you do more, more, more during this busy season. Instead, I want to encourage you to remember that there IS a *YOU* who is doing all of the things and you are worth taking good care of.
Perhaps the things I suggest aren’t what you need in the moment. That’s totally ok. Perhaps you can use something else to create some space, something that will help you feel more relaxed or more in charge of your day.
