We only have a few days left in this ‘making space’ series and I have been doing some thinking about how to make space for my future self so I thought you might like to do the same.
Right now, I’m keenly aware of the things I meant to get done but didn’t get around to, of the things I don’t want to do next year, and of the things that I want to do differently next year.
I end up in this spot every year, of course, and I have occasionally made the scattered note for my future self.* This year, though, I am making a conscious effort to sit down and list things to help 2023 Christine. And when my list is done, I am going to put reminders in my calendar about what to do or not do at specific times.
Note: if you want to try this but you get hung up on choosing a specific date for tasks, just pick a date to reminder yourself to pick more specific dates. So, for example, choose Sept 1 and put in an event that says ‘Consult list in (notebook or digital location) and make a schedule.)
Not only will this make space for my future self, it will make space for my current self because I won’t be trying to remember all kinds of things for the future AND because my brain likes knowing a plan is in place – even if I won’t be using it for a while.
If my approach doesn’t appeal to you, maybe you could invent your own system by asking things like: What kinds of things would I like to have more space around right now? What would give me that space? What can I do to make sure I can have that space in the future?
Only you can know what kind of space you need and it’s ok to take steps that make sense to you in order to create that space.
And whatever space you need, whatever steps you take to create it, I wish you ease and breathing room around the whole thing.
Remember, you matter, your efforts matter, and you are doing the best you can with the resources you have.
⭐️
Oh, and of course, I have included a couple of videos to help you create a little space for your current self today. Creating that space now will also help contribute to your future self’s wellbeing. 💚
*For example, my past self put a note in my calendar to order something on Sept 1, 2022 and a couple of years ago my December self put a note on November 15 to buy an extra set of lights to replace a set that had burnt out.
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.
