Practicing What I Preach
thoughts on creating space
Burnout snuck up on me despite years of guiding meditation and teaching the art of creating space. My calendar, once a tool for organization, became a relentless taskmaster, squeezing the life out of my days.
Yes, I was adding myself to my calendar for my monthly massages, acupuncture, and morning and evening meditations, but that wasn’t enough. Between my self-care routine, I swiftly realized that reactively creating space wouldn’t work for me.
My impromptu pause on Substack wasn’t planned, but I reactively created space due to overwhelm. I was laser-focused on advertising myself in town through regularly scheduled meditation and sound healing classes, special events, writing my book, working several other jobs, attempting to create space for fun, keeping in touch with family and friends, and trying to make space for new connections.
My journey in therapy and spiritual practices taught me how to create space, but burnout tapped me on the shoulder to remind me that I know better and that I’m not at my best when I’m burnt out or on the cusp of burnout.
Creating Space
Creating space in the mind, body, and spirit refers to the practice of intentionally carving out time and attention for yourself to cultivate well-being. It's about acknowledging that these three aspects are interconnected and require nurturing to function optimally.
Creating space helps us increase our energetic capacity and show up as our true selves without performing.
As I land on another blessed solar return today, July 1st, I’m reflecting on ways that I’ve created space over the years and these last few months (this is not an all-inclusive list):
Deep Listening: I’ve practiced listening deeply to my body and have learned when the choices I’ve had to make are a full-body yes or full-body no. This has helped me not to say yes to everything and to learn when I need to rest instead of work.
Shedding Relationships: I’ve released non-reciprocal friendships to redirect my energy into reciprocal relationships. Placing my energy into reciprocal friendships has allowed me to solidify my current friendships and make new connections.
Focus: I’ve narrowed my focus to honing specific skills and projects instead of focusing on too many things simultaneously. This has helped me to create space for more rest, connection, and fun.
Help: I’ve hired a coach to help me grow and maintain my spiritual business. This will help me to create space with time.
Meditation: My meditation practice has carried me through rough times when I felt like I couldn’t make it to the next hour without crying. A consistent meditation practice has helped me reprogram my brain and nervous system to alert me when I’m on the brink of burnout.
Breathwork and yoga: Both tools have taught me how to create space energetically and somatically, and they have been incredibly nourishing for my nervous system.
Inconsistency: I’ve given myself permission to create and write inconsistently. I notice that I create my best work when I give myself room to be inconsistent with my art. Although I can work under pressure, I don’t want to. So, regarding this platform, you can expect a once-a-month-ish publication and a surprise audio recording here and there. Voice recordings and voice-overs of my work will be a paid feature moving forward.
Slow Response Times: My loved ones know (most of them) that I respond to text messages and phone calls at my own pace unless it’s an emergency. Keeping up with family and friends who live across different time zones can feel like a job. I give myself space to respond when I have the energy.
Capacity Check-In: Tuning in and regularly asking myself what I have the capacity for has saved me time, energy, frustration, and disappointment.
Time in Nature: Nature reminds me to take up more space and to create it. I notice that the longer I allow myself to spend in nature, the more recharged I feel.
Self-awareness is a major pillar in creating space. - Key Ocho
As the world continues to overwhelm us, I hope you find ways to create space and protect your mental health.
Soul Inquiries:
Where in your life can you use more breathing room?
Identify three small changes you can make this week to create more space in your mind, body, and spirit.
What activities bring you a sense of peace or connection to something larger than yourself?
Key, you are such an example to follow...I appreciate your transparency about burnout, although you are trained to avoid it. This is helpful for those, like me, who are still new to making space for ourselves and identifying the "when we need it" versus "how we do it". And these are gorgeous pics!
I appreciate you sharing your 'schedule'. The information and suggestions you have here reminded me to slow down and honor self. Thank you!