Accompanying my recent site overhaul, has been lot of positive feedback about how ‘clean’ and ‘spacious’ it feels as a place to visit.
Which – as a lover of white space, is exactly what I intended!
But, in daily life – even with the best intentions, I can find myself slipping back into the attitude of needing to do more and effectively, needing to be more.
Brene Brown depicts the clamour of busy-ness as a garden of weeds that we wade through all day long – squeezing productivity out of every second, catching ourselves on thorns of shame and guilt if we pause to stop for too long.
It feels good – whizzing through our to-do lists by lunchtime and getting her done.
But it’s not sustainable.
We need downtime. We need to release ourselves from the pressure of doing and carve out a little time for being.
Doing nothing.
Letting thoughts flow.
Taking a moment to just breathe and quietly take it all in.
In the past year, I have been mindful of the need to create more white space in my life.
What white space looks like for me:
- A tidy workspace and office.
- Daily meditation and gratitude practice.
- Daydreaming with the sun on my face and the cicadas tunefully singing in the background.
- Making an agreement with myself to focus on a few things well rather than a whole lot of projects that only get a slither of my attention.
- Cutting back on scheduled activities for the kids and having them choose their one passion area for the year.
- Pausing between tasks to Breathe. Breathe. Breathe.
What white space feels like for me:
-Luxury. Ease. Openess.
- Honouring the introvert
- Peace and a gentle flow of creativity.
- Allowing.
- Worthiness.
The perfect reminder that I don’t have to prove myself all the time.
Showing up is enough.
Are you a fan of creating small pockets of white space in your life?
What have you been celebrating this week?
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LOve it hon – i have a post on white space in my drafts but yours will suffice – perfectly stated
Deb @ Home life simplified recently posted…Letters to my daughters: Authentically you
Thanks Debstar. I’m interested to see what you have to say on the topic though!
Kirri @ Kirri White Coaching recently posted…The highly successful habits of mums
I certainly have a need for white space in my life…for 37 years, I thought that meant I needed a perfectly clean house and ticked off to-do list. Although I achieved this, I found I still wanted more…it was never enough…so now I’m finding ways to create white space within my mind…meditation, exercise, yoga, writing….but I have to admit, a clear kitchen bench is still essential as well!
Kristin recently posted…The Night Jar Market and a Delicious Black Bean and Sweet Potato Veggie Burger with Garlic Cashew Sauce
I’m becoming more of a fan of white space and less clutter. In the home as well as my mind.
For me, I feel great after deviating from my routine and to-do list. Just that break feels so wonderfully indulgent.
Just finished taking in the morning from my office window. Pearly blue skies, a plane passing in the distance and some frogs singing – felt wonderfully indulgent
Kirri @ Kirri White Coaching recently posted…Celebrating Life
Kristin – I enjoy a clear kitchen bench as well, and all the beds made AND clean floors – I must have clean floors!! But, like you , I don’t need it to be perfectly clean anymore and I am much more relaxed about things being left.
Meditation, exercise, writing – all get a big Yes from me as well.
Sometimes just sitting and doing absolutely nothing is just the ticket x
Kirri @ Kirri White Coaching recently posted…Celebrating Life
I’ve not come across the term “White Space” before but it is a good one. I am convinced that a lot of what we do is to fill up the time, rather than because it needs to be done. Distinguishing functional activity from tasks which are more the product of nervous energy is one of the tricks of achieving a more peaceful and directed existence. I believe that anyway
Insightful observations as always my friend. How many of us learn from our families that ‘sitting idle’ is somehow wrong? Functional activitity cf expending nervous energy = nicely put.
Kirri @ Kirri White Coaching recently posted…When life is not exciting
I’m working on that white space. There are days when I’ve made some “room” in my head and my heart, then it all gets cluttered up again. It’s a constant thing, I think. Love this post, Kirri x
Grace recently posted…FYBF – More Cutie Patootieness
I’m the same Gracie. It’s like any developing practice – there is always a more ingrained habit of not doing, or doing something less helpful waiting to jump back in where we left off. Thank goodness for baby steps all the way!
‘Daydreaming with the sun on my face and the cicadas tunefully singing in the background’ Oh yes, that’s my white space.
Some lovely reminders to keep positive white space in your life
Penny recently posted…Animal Books: The Sunday Mail and The Courier Mail Kids’ Mini Book Collection
I’m down with that type of white space too Pen. I’ll meet you in the clouds x
Kirri @ Kirri White Coaching recently posted…The highly successful habits of mums
Absolutely Kirri. I love my white space and need it dispensed regularly. I don’t thrive on busyness one bit.
The white space and simplicity of your website is divine. xx
Lee recently posted…There once was a bird
The little bird needs time a little time to sit still before she soars – how else will she get her bearings and enjoy the view?
Kirri @ Kirri White Coaching recently posted…The right conditions to grow and flourish
White space to me means room to collect my thoughts and focus on the beauty of what is presented simply in front of me… perfect in graphic design & interior design (I LOVE a white wall!)
It’s my first time visiting your site and I just wanted to say how great it looks!
x Catherine @ The Spring (in Brisbane)
Catherine @ The Spring recently posted…Just a Minute in… January
Thanks so much for dropping in Catherine. I’ll be sure to return the visit.
Kirri, I could feel your peacefulness emanating from this post. What a lovely read on a Sunday morning! I especially agree with focusing on a few things well…that’s been my goal for the year. It’s funny how gently the world unfolds when I follow my own rhythms. It’s a refreshing change from the haggard pace we tend to create.
Adrianne Munkacsy recently posted…Question for the Community: How Personal Is Too Personal?
Thanks Adrianne. That means a lot coming from someone in your line of work
HUGE Yes to ease and unfurling. That was one my greatest learnings from 2012.
Kirri,
The new site is beautiful. I am taking time right now to create some white space in my life. Organize myself, clean out my house so that what we don’t need is gone and everything else has a convenient place. Some of it includes construction so it will take a couple of months, but at the same time I am organizing all aspects of my businesses to flow easily. I am assembling a team to assist me. I am already reaping the rewards. I will share this on Facebook!
xoJ
xoJ
Lovely to see you again Jodi!
It sounds like your year is kicking off with a beautiful ease-filled bang! That’s totally possible right?
Thanks so much for sharing also.