The Space Between

It’s the tale of two mindsets. Last week, I was working feverishly to ensure that I was able to take some time off this week and truly unplug.

And I did. I unplugged so hard that I’m not sure what day it is at this point. Maybe it’s my head cold or the fact that I just powered up my laptop for the first time in days, but that work that felt so important now feels like a distant memory. So much so in fact that I have to retrain my brain to engage with it.

That’s the beauty of space. It can be perspective-giving. When we detach from the chaos, we are able to see that while our work matters and matters deeply, we probably won’t be thinking about it much if at all five days, months, or years from now.

There is beauty in space. Space from the work. The space between winter breaks. The space between our car seat and car door. Just kidding, that’s usually pretty gross. **Pauses blog post to vacuum car.

Too often, we don’t give people the space they need. Whether it’s a deregulated student or an adult who needs a minute to regroup, that delicious soup that needs a minute to cool off, or that angry email that demands a reply, space can be healing, calming, and guiding.

Some of us needed space over the break and didn’t get it. Perhaps you experienced too much togetherness or politically charged dinner conversations. When we return from the break, let’s recognize that not everyone got the break they needed. Maybe give them a little space, so they can gently reenter the school routine.

But in whatever capacity you can take it, take the space. Space is self-love. Space promotes self-awareness, perspective-taking, and personal leadership.

Take space for yourself. Give space to others.

This holiday season, maybe space is the most generous gift of all.

Good luck explaining that to your family though. 🙂