I usually write these posts just a little while before I post them because I really like to comment on whatever arises for me at that point in the day.
However, I am writing this at 11pm on Wednesday night because I will be leading a storytelling workshop just as this is about to go live and I won’t be ale to write in the morning.
So, in the spirit of ‘whatever arises for me at that point in the day’, here’s what feels like a useful idea the night before you read this:
Right now, I’m feeling pretty proud of my ADHD self for this little bit of slightly advanced planning. I’m really glad that my future-self isn’t going to have to stress about fitting this writing into my morning schedule.
So, with that in mind, I invite you to consider something that you have coming up later today, tomorrow, or in a few days.
Is there something today you can do to help future you have an easier time?
Is there a plan you can put in place? A task you can do? A list you can make?
Is there something you often forget that you can do early? Is there something you can prepare or buy?
Please don’t add to today’s stress while trying to do these things but if there is something that feels easy right now and that will help you in the future, it might just be worth doing.
Wishing you ease today, and always.
Go Team Us!
Our movement practice for today:
In the still image for this 10 minute Beginner Yoga for Hips and Shoulders from Yoga with Joelle, the still image shows the instructor lying on their back on a yoga mat in front of a couch. They have the bottoms of their feet together so their knees are stuck out and their arms are extended along the floor overhead. They are wearing flower patterned capri leggings and a dark tank top and they look relaxed.
And here’s our mindfulness practice for today. I know this isn’t our usual type of thing but the idea of listening to music and the waves sounded very mindful and relaxing so let’s give it a whirl.
The still image for this video 5 Minute Timer – Relaxing Music with Ocean Waves from Tick Tock Countdown Timer shows a glass ball in the foreground that is reflexing the beach, ocean waves, and sunset that is in the background. Large white numbers are counting down in the centre of the image.Image description: a small drawing of the number 11 on half an index card resting on my black computer keyboard. The numbers are pink with blue trim, there are blue polka dots in the background and the image is framed with four blue lines that meet in larger blue dots in each corner.
As I move towards the end of the year, I need to (almost constantly!) remind myself that I can do most things a little bit at a time.
Thanks to ADHD, my subconscious default is to put things aside – even huge projects – until I have time to finish them all at once. *
Despite the obvious flaws in that approach, if I’m not careful, I can go for ages not working on something because my brain has essentially put it on shelf for later when I have ‘the right kind of time’ to address it.
Even if you don’t get trapped in that kind of ADHD subconscious loop, I am sure that you have projects or tasks that you are trying to find time to work on all at once.
Perhaps it is an end-of-year project for work, maybe it’s cleaning the fridge, or making some phone calls, either way, if you have been consciously or subconsciously parking a task with lots of subtasks within it, this is your official permission to work on it in little bits over time.
It might take you a week to clean the fridge or get that website updated but it is better than having it haunt you from your to do list and never actually getting around to it.
For the record, cleaning my fridge is one of those tasks for me – I am pretty sure there is a jar rebellion underway on the back of the top shelf – and, today, I am going to spend 10 minutes cleaning one part. (This is where you can imagine me saying, in a goofy tone, I am SUCH a good example!)
Approaching things in this way will make some space in a lot of different ways – space in my schedule (since I don’t need a big block of time), space in my head (because the task will have some traction), and literal space in my fridge.
Not bad, hey?
So, whether you are picking a task to do bit by bit, you are planning to do one of the videos below, or you are going to do something else to make a bit of space for yourself, I wish you ease and self-kindness.
Good luck out there!
Here’s our movement video for today:
In the still image from this 10 Minute Muscle Toning Wheelchair Workout from Empowered Para the instructor is featured on the left hand side and the title of the video is on the right. The instructor, who has long brown hair, is sitting in their wheelchair and they are wearing green pants and a black sleeveless shirt. They are smiling and pointing towards the camera and a speech balloon above them says ‘Hey you! Come workout!’
And here’s our meditation:
In the still image for this 5 Minute Meditation for Focus from Great Meditation, the still image shows a pink cartoon brain sitting with its thin black line legs crossed and its thin black line arms at what would be shoulder height on a person. Its eyes are closed and it has a small smile. The background of the image is purplish blue and there are white lines extending outward from the area around the brain – maybe concentration or focus energy? The name of the video is in black text partially above and partially below the brain.
*Longer ADHD explanation:
To be clear, ‘all at once’ doesn’t necessarily mean on one day. My brain acknowledges that some things take longer than that so it seeks a stretch of time – a few days, a week, a month- in which I will be able to work on something repeatedly until it is done. Those stretches of time rarely appear, of course, because life doesn’t work like that. Yet, rather than bringing the project to my mental surface for reconsideration, my brain will just put the project on pause until it can find the right kind of time. I have to put in A LOT of effort to interrupt that default routine.
As you can imagine, this leads to a lot of self-frustration because some larger projects get parked without me realizing it has happened. This parking of projects thing isn’t a conscious decision, it happens on some other level and I have to check in with myself over and over to figure out why some projects have stalled.
When time is tight, like it can be this time of year, my brain tends to want to store any multi-part project away and I run the risk of it becoming late for me to do some important things.
There’s a lot more I could say about this but I just wanted to give this much explanation for now in case it is helpful for someone else!
How are you doing with the whole making space thing?
Have you been able to be a little kinder to yourself amidst the December chaos?
Have you been able to find a little space to do things that reduce your stress, help you have fun, or just give you a little wiggle room?
If you have, that’s terrific! Forge ahead!
If you haven’t been able to do any of that yet, please don’t be hard on yourself about it. This time of year is stacked with tasks and it can be difficult to navigate your way through them without getting stuck.
Sometimes, we all have to just roll along with things for a few days (or longer!) because trying to figure out how to create some breathing room just ends up feeling like more work.
BUT, with that said, if you are finding yourself feeling particularly squeezed and you really want to take a bit of time and space for yourself, I have two ideas for you:
1)Pick a time of day when your work ends
Ok, so to be clear, this is easier said than done but once you wrap your mind around the idea, it can be very helpful.
Now, I am not just talking about your paid work here, I’m talking about all of it – any task that doesn’t involve relaxation and rest.
In this plan, you would decide on a few things that feel restful and declare to yourself that at a certain time in the day you will stop anything that feels like work and switch to things that feel restful. (I find this a much better approach than trying to ‘finish’ items on a list – finishing always takes longer than I think it will.)
I usually find it easier to pick a later time in the evening at first. Something like, “After 9:30pm, I will only do yoga, drawing, or watch something specific on TV with Steve.” Then I set an alarm (yep, ADHD never takes a break!) for 9:30 and make the switch from worker bee to rester bee.
Once I am used to the switch, I will often move the time earlier in the evening.
2) Schedule the space you want to make
This is quite similar to the first suggestion but it’s less on/off.
Basically, when I need that downtime but it won’t naturally occur (it hardly ever does!), I schedule a time to do something fun or restful.
So I might pause my work at 10am to do yoga or I might plan to walk the dog at 2pm or I might arrange for a chat with my sister at noon.
Sometimes I feel a bit foolish that I have to do this instead of being able to just be spontaneous with my rest and fun but I do it anyway.
So, Team, whether you are able to take advantage of a resting moment when it arises or you have to plan how to add make space for yourself, I wish you luck and ease.
And, as always, please be kind to yourself as you make your way along.
For our movement practice for today, here’s a video from Yoga with Adriene that I found quite fun. 🙂 (Don’t take the still image too seriously!)
In the still image of this “Stress Buster | 10-Minute Yoga for Instant Stress Relief” from Yoga with Adriene, Adriene is standing on a grey yoga mat in front of a bunch of windows and Benji (her dog) is sleeping on a mat on the floor behind her. She is wearing an 80s aerobics instructor style outfit – hot pink legwarmers and sweatband, black tights and leotard with a pink wide-necked cropped sweater over it. She is also in a classic 80s aerobics photo pose – standing with her hands on her hips and with one one leg raised slightly so her toe (instead of the bottom of her foot) is touching the mat.
And here’s our mindfulness practice for today:
In the still image for this video “Breathing Exercises & Pranayamas | 5 mins Daily Practice to Boost Immunity” from Yogalates with Rashmi the instructor is sitting on a blue yoga mat with their legs crossed and their hands resting on their knees, palms up, with each of their thumbs touching their index finger on the same hand (making a little circle.) The instructor is wearing a pink tshirt and blue-patterned capri leggings, they are smiling and look relaxed. Text referencing the video title is in the upper left part of the image.
For my own amusement, I decided to choose today’s videos by searching ‘8 minute workout’ and ‘8 minute meditation’ to match the fact that today is the 8th.
It’s true that it doesn’t take a lot to amuse me but I consider that a good thing. 😉
In this section of the post, I usually add a little extra idea for your day. This time, I thought of all sorts of fun 8-themed activities for you to try today but eventually decided to offer this suggestion instead:
Today, please try to do just one thing that is for your own amusement. That might mean wearing your favourite hat, listening to a favourite song, dancing in the hallway, adding cinnamon to your hot chocolate, doodling in your notebook, shaping your pancakes like diamonds or sending heart emojis to all of your friends.
It really doesn’t matter what you decide, the important thing is that it is something fun for you* and that it doesn’t necessarily serve any other purpose besides amusing yourself.
As always, I wish you ease and self-kindness as you make your way through today.
Here is your movement practice for today:
Today’s video is from Silver Sneakers and the title ‘8-Minute Full Body Workout’ is shown on a blue overlay on the left side of the still image. On the right side is a slightly blurry photo of person in shorts and a long-sleeved shirt with their hair pinned up and their hands on their hips. They are mid-movement and there is a dark coloured couch and end table to their left.
And here’s your mindfulness practice:
In this ‘8 Minute Meditation You Can Do Anywhere’ from Yoga with Adriene, Adriene is wearing light coloured comfortable clothing and she is sitting somewhat cross-legged on some blankets to elevate her hips. Benji, her dog, is sleeping behind her and there is a window and greenery in the background. She has her eyes closed and her hands are resting on her upper legs. She looks quite peaceful.
* For the record, I am not advocating that you have fun at someone else’s expense nor am I suggesting that you do anything harmful. Just had to get that out there. (Yes, I overthink everything. Even this note.)
When I came across today’s movement video and noticed how short it was, I thought it would fun to make today’s post very brief to make the point that even short practices can really helpus to create more space for ourselves.
And speaking of the value of short practices, today I would like to invite you to shorten your to do list. Pick something that you aren’t enthused about doing and toss it right off your to do list. There’s a lot of freedom to be gained in deciding early that you aren’t going to do something – instead of leaving it on the list in case you have time.
No matter how much time you have to make some space for yourself today, I wish you ease and fun in the process.
Have fun out there!
Here’s our movement practice for today:
The still image from this ‘Pancakes & Waffles Hands Free Rise’ video from Holly Jahn shows the instructor sitting on the floor facing the camera. Their legs are apart and their hands are behind their head with elbows out to either side. They are wearing a great yoga sweatshirt and black leggings and they have short dark hair and glasses.
And our mindfulness practice today:
For this 1 Minute Breathing Exercise video from CalmSage, the still image shows a purple background with a layered circular white shape in the middle of the screen that expands and contracts to give you a way slow down your breathing and relax.
I hope that today finds you with at least a little time to yourself, even if it is just taking a little extra time with your cup of tea, a little longer in the shower, or going a little slower when doing some routine tasks.
I know I am not alone in this but I hate, hate, hate to feel rushed so when I am feeling hurried, I always try to figure out small ways to reduce that feeling of pressure. Sometimes, taking my time at the grocery store or choosing a slower way to do something helps my brain to recalibrate and see the difference between feeling rushed and any actual urgency.
I know that isn’t the same as actual rest or actually changing my to do list but when I am in the thick of things, I may not have the time or brain space to do either of those.
And I also know that some of you may not have the freedom or capacity to change the order or nature of your task but I hope that you can be kind to yourself about the facts of your day, that you can eke out a few minutes rest, and that you can recognize that feeling rushed at a busy time is not a personal flaw. You are doing what you can with the resources you have and that’s all anyone can do.
Whether you are rushing, relaxing, or doing something in between today, I wish you ease in your mind and in your body.
May you have a little more space when you need it.
Here’s today’s movement practice:
This video from Yes2Next is called “Easy 5 min Wall Pilates Workout (No Weights): For Ages 60+ and Beginners” and the still image shows the two happy-looking participants in a very light squat with their arms slightly extended behind them. Their photos superimposed over a purple wall and they are standing on a wooden floor. The participants are a mother/daughter pair and the Mom, an elderly woman with short grey hair, is closest to the camera and is wearing a black track suit. The daughter, who is middle aged, is in black leggings and dark peach t-shirt.
And here’s today’s mindfulness practice:
The still image for this Headspace video “Grounding Exercise for Racing Minds” shows a cartoonish yellow circle with googly eyes looking upwards and the the left. There is a white circle and a dark orange circle layered around the yellow circle character and the background of the image is a warm orange. The video title is on the upper left with the first few words in white and the last two in yellow.
I hope you have managed to plan, schedule, or squeeze a bit of extra space into this first week of December and I hope that a little extra fun made its way into your days as well.
Today, I’d like to remind you that there are lots of different ways to relax and have fun.
If you love getting dressed up and going to parties, that’s a great way to spend your time.
If you love watching movies at home in your pajamas, that’s also a great way to spend your time.
Please don’t feel pressured to do all of the social things and please make sure to respect your own needs, limits, and capacity when choosing how to spend your time.
Sure, we all can get a bit overscheduled this time of year – it can kind of go with the territory – but we probably have at least a little leeway in the what and the how and the when of participating in social events.
Speaking of choices, when you are making a little space for yourself today, feel free to choose these videos or to choose something else that serves you well.
Wishing you ease and fun, as always!
Here’s our movement practice for today:
The still image for this “10-Minute Vacation-Vibes Soca Workout” from PS Fit features three energetic and happy looking people in black workout clothes in the centre of the image. They are all slightly turned to the right and they have their arms slightly raised so their hands are in front of their right hips, palms down. The background is bright pink.
And here’s our mindfulness practice for today:
The still image for Michigan Medicine‘s “Mindfulness Breathing and Directed Doodling” video shows a person’s hands holding a green Sharpie marking and making lines in a figure 8 on a white sheet of paper that is resting on a wooden table. There are already blue lines in the same pattern on the paper.
Since the last full moon of 2025 will rise this evening (some people call it the Cold Moon which I find delightful), I thought it would be fun to have some moon-themed videos and links in today’s post.
According to some, this full moon is a sign to do a little introspection and to release things that no longer serve us. (see the Instagram link below for more on this)
Whether or not you follow or participate in any sort of woo or any sort of alternative spiritual practices, I’m sure you can see the benefit in taking time to reflect and to release things (even though it is easier said than done!) whether that happens now or next week.
Anyway, here are our practices to make some space for ourselves today and I’ve thrown in an IG post and a relaxing ambience video just for fun.
Whether you do these practices or something entirely different, I wish you ease and space today and always.
Here’s today’s movement practice:
A 15 minute Moon Practice from Yoga with Adriene. In the still image she is standing on her grey yoga mat in front of a window. There are plants and Benji (her sleeping dog) on the left side of the screen and an end table with more plants on it on the right. She is wearing burgundy leggings and a purple sleeveless tshirt. Her feet are wide apart and her legs are bent at the knee, her upper arms are raised to shoulder height and her forearms are extended upwards.
And here’s our meditation practice for today:
This video from A Big Breath In is called Full Moon Feels 5 Minute Guided Meditation and the still image shows the title against a light pinkish yellow background. There is a mandala drawn in the centre of the screen with part of the title above it and part below.
I chose this post from Arlyn Flower Farm on IG because it had a good combination of information and reflective questions. The still image shows a very close-up depiction of the moon.
And, finally, here’s an ‘ambience’ video that I like to have on my screen when I am doing paperwork or reading my book. I thought that some of you might like it, too.
This video from Dead of Night is called Vintage Christmas Window Ambience and the still image shows a desk and a view out of the window. Outside you can see a Victorian street lamp, the moon, some houses, and some snow falling. Inside you can see books, a lamp, a tree made of book pages, several candles, a warm chocolate drink, and just a small piece of a Christmas tree in the left corner.
Since these posts are about making space for ourselves in December, today I’m considering our mental space.
When I have a busy time ahead, I often forget that making a list makes things better.
Not only does it clear out my brain but it also lets me see just how much I am trying to take on in the weeks ahead. Seeing it all written (or typed) out helps me to notice if I am taking on too much (almost certainly), if there are unnecessary things crowding my to do list, and if there are items I can reschedule or ask others for help with.
I know the suggestion to make a list isn’t new but since I often find myself ‘too busy to make a list’, I thought you might find yourself in the same situation.
So, here’s your gentle reminder that making a list frees up some brainspace, helps you to see the sheer volume of little tasks that are bouncing around in your head, and it can help you decide which tasks are vital and which can wait.
Meanwhile, though, if a list will add to your stress, feel free to ignore me. You are the boss of you!
And, as always, I wish you ease and peace of mind as you make some extra space for yourself in your own life.
In other news, here are your movement and mindfulness links for today:
Step 1: Strength training!
Here’s a strength training workout from Senior Shape Fitness called “10 Minute Full Body Strength Workout for Beginners & Seniors” and the still image shows the instructor side-on facing to the right. They have their long dark hair in a ponytail and they are wearing dark blue leggings and a light blue top. They are lifting small blue weights and smiling. The wall behind them had a blueish tinge and there is a thin tree with large leaves on the right side of the image.
Step 2: Meditation
Today’s video, “5 Minute Meditation for Focus & Clarity | Beat Procrastination & Distraction”, is from Lavendaire. The still image is of a person sitting in a meditation posture (cross-legged, upright, eyes closed, arms slightly forward so the backs of the hands are on the knees) The person is wearing white pants and black shirt and looks very peaceful sititng on a white couch with a two photos of a grassy field on the wall behind them.
Here we are at Day 2 and I already have a favour to ask you.
In the midst of your plan to make a bit more space for yourself this season, I’m wondering if you would consider scheduling two small things that are important to you in the weeks ahead.
This doesn’t have to be anything fancy – it could be reading a book or doing a puzzle or calling friend to catch up or dancing to specific song, or walking to look at lights or trees or the river.
It really doesn’t matter what the two small things are. What matters is that consider those things to be just as important as anything else you plan to do in the next few weeks.
Treat those plans like an appointment with a doctor or a meeting with a client – something that is pretty firmly scheduled but if something goes awry it will be rescheduled, not cancelled.
This is another way to create some space for yourself in December.
Because if you are like me, things that are just of interest to me tend to get shuffled aside for “when I get everything else done.”*
It’s never my plan to neglect my own fun but sometimes it just seems easier to put it aside for later.
So, my two definite plans for myself are: to go to the Santa Claus parade in my city on Saturday and to do a puzzle on the afternoon of the 21st.
If you’d like to tell me your plans in the comments, I’d love to read them!
So, with that said, here are two ways you can make a little space for yourself in your mind, your body, and your life today.
Wishing you ease, as always!
I chose some HIIT cardio for today’s movement practice but the instructor offers some modified movements if this is a bit much for you today. Remember, as always, that you are free to choose something else to do or to just do a small section. You are the boss of you!
This video is called”10 Minute Intense Cardio Party HIIT to the Beat” and it’s from the Fit by Mik channel. The still image shows the instructor in exercise clothes (blue leggings and a sports bra) with their hair in a ponytail doing an exercise where they are bringing their left elbow and right knee together. Their smile and the way their ponytail is flying out to the side gives a energetic feeling to the image. The title of the video is on the left side of the screen.
And here’s our mindfulness practice for today:
This video is “5 Minute Guided Meditation Quick Reset” from Meditate with Antonella and the still image is of several items on a brown table. Only two of the items can be clearly seen because the title text is covering part of the screen. The scene is dimly lit, there is a plant in a brown shallow dish in the upper right and in the center is a lit, light yellow, pillar candle in the same kind of round, brown, shallow dish.
*Yeah, there is no such time as “everything is done” – there is always more that “could” be done. We all end up just making decisions about when we are going to have to stop or when we have done “enough” so we might as well fit our own stuff in there now instead of hoping time will materialize at the end of our tasks.
