The room I didn’t know I needed.

I moved recently, after decades living in the same house. Sorting through years of belongings, I kept finding things I’d held onto without quite knowing why.

The surprise didn’t show up in the packing. 

It was how much lighter I felt once there was room to breathe again. 

My new place is smaller and delightfully bright. I chose to turn a small bedroom into my studio. Having been unable to paint for over six weeks, I could feel myself itching to begin.

Change does that.

It clears a path and then asks what you'd like to put there.

If you're moving through a transition of your own, whether a role you've outgrown or a quiet sense that something wants to shift, you don't have to figure it all out at once. 

Sometimes the first step is making a little space and seeing what shows up.

3 ways to create space and hear your heart

In the midst of a life that is full and often demanding, the thought of carving out space for reflection may sound good, and also feel daunting.

Try one or more of these ways and see what shows up for you.

1. The power of 3 intentional breaths

It may seem unlikely that pausing for 3 breaths can be significant, but give it a try.

Sit in a quiet spot (after you wake up, by closing the door to your office, or on a sidewalk bench).

Close your eyes. Relax your shoulders and your jaw. Maybe put a hand on your heart.

Inhale slowly and feel the air fill your chest and move down into your belly. Then exhale even more slowly.

Repeat 2 more times.

Take a moment to see what shows up for you. Maybe a new insight. Maybe a question. Maybe just feeling more open and relaxed.

2. Download whatever is on your mind

Pull out a journal or pad of paper. Set a timer for 5 minutes. Start writing.

Write whatever is on your mind, questions you are grappling with, emotions you are feeling — or any jumble of thoughts that want to hit the page.

When the timer goes off, sit for a moment.

How do you feel? Has anything new occurred to you, or have any “aha’s” surfaced?

Keep going if you have the urge to, or repeat later if time is short, or simply savor the satisfaction of getting it all out — if that’s how you feel.

3. Get a little silly

Find a moment to do something fun, laugh with someone, or play a bit. Loosening up by feeling free and playful is a great way to open your heart.

You can do it alone or with others. Give it a try and see what shows up for you!

What happens next

When you’ve created a bit of space, don’t push yourself or rush to figure things out.

Feel into what you are called to consider, or the questions that came to mind. 

And if insights show up quickly that you know, deep in your heart, are true, honor them.

Much of my work is about just that — supporting the process of deep discovery, considering where new insight can take you, and moving ahead.

These have been pivotal to the expansion I have experienced in my life, and I am honored to help others expand into what’s true for them.

Overwhelm to Openness: Embracing a New Way of Living

Most accomplished women work hard — really hard! Working hard was such a normal part of my life, for so long, that I did not believe there was any other way to live.

And I paid a steep price for living that way.

I was exhausted and stressed. And I missed out on so much The relaxed time with my family and friends that I yearned for was, instead, crammed into an overcrowded schedule. I was usually preoccupied, feeling pressure to get the next thing done.

I had trouble relaxing on vacations, too. 

I felt trapped and couldn’t envision how things would ever change.

What I learned that opened space — and elevated my spirit

My lessons have unfolded over time, and truth be told, none of them are quick-fixes. Accepting that reality and being patient as I made changes has made a significant difference in my life.

I patiently began to embrace new concepts and take new steps, that you may want to explore. Space opened up in my schedule, and even more amazingly, in my mind and heart.

Consider starting small. Choosing to implement these ideas can have a meaningful impact.

1. Create “white space” on your calendar

You may know that I owned a designer firm in my first career. One important principal in design is to leave ample white space in a layout or a web page, so the content is not dense or not crowded, allowing a reader to focus with ease.

Leaving white space on your calendar gives you space and time to focus on what is important, without clutter or stress (to your energy or spirit).

Consider what you are saying “Yes” to, and what “No’s” you can start saying.

Think about who you can delegate tasks to, and who you can turn to for help.

Putting this awareness to work is a game-chamger.

2. Sustain a positive frame of mind

In a world filled with constant tensions and issues — close to home and globally — it is easy to feel pulled into worry and drama. Thoughts like those used to highjack me.

What I learned and have practiced is to bring a focus to gratitude for all that is good. Try it and you will see that your attention will be directed to positive emotions. You’ll set yourself up to ride a wave of possibility. You will free your spirit to create! 

What might you create? New ideas. New actions to take. New conversations to initiate. New ways of expressing yourself, as you show up boldly in the world.

All of these positive ways of creating will move you into an elevated state of mind!

3. Let go and allow

While I was sure I had to figure everything out myself  — not to mention doing all that was entailed on my own — I have learned that there is power in creating an energetic foundation and allowing my spirit, and the universe, to assist me.

I know this may sound woo to many people, but bear with me!

• First I learned to open space in my life, as described in #1 above.

• Then I focused on sustaining a positive outlook, as in #2.

• I began to trust myself more. 

• I began to create actively all day every day. 

• I expanded my vision and started to dream bigger.

• And I allowed the energy of all of that to help me find my way.

I let go of having to have all the answers figured out before taking action.

And incredible things have appeared for me — insights, resources, new directions — that I would not have envisioned on my own!

What change will you make today?

This is a perfect time to explore a small new step that can lead to remarkable change in your life.

Take a first step. Then another.

And if you want support to get started, or to sustain your efforts, email me. We can talk about all that is possible for you and your path begin to creating the life you dream of.