Tuesday, April 1, 2025
This post is not an April Fool’s joke, nor is it unique. I’m not the first person to talk about this concept, but it is something that has been on my mind lately.
I want to leave space in all areas of my life..
My refrigerator functions best for me when I leave space:
I am not sure if this photo is the best example of leaving space, but this is my current fridge view.
I have to see what I have and I feel like I waste less when I have less.
My closet functions best for me when I leave space:
It’s taken me a long time to realize that less is more in my closet.
I am currently trying to figure out how to best utilize my bins.
I don’t like too much out in my living room or kitchen. I like it to be simply decorated. It’s easier to clean and I want only decor that means something to me, if possible.
I leave space in my calendar, too. I have friends who try to do so much in one day.
I have friends who say they wish they “had time” to read. My question would be are you leaving space in your schedule to read? What are you doing with your time instead?
I also want to leave space for spontaneous plans. People stop asking when you are always busy and can never say yes.
I am pretty routine oriented and that can be my fatal flaw. I hope that I can leave space for changing up the routine.
The other night I was so happy I left space for a phone call. One of my high school buddies called me on my birthday and I was at brunch. We never connected that day and on his birthday I told him I owed him a phone call and he would get one when least expected. So, we played phone tag a couple more times and finally he connected with me one evening last week. I sat on the patio and we laughed our heads off for 45 minutes. Normally I would have been doing my shower and wind down routine but I am so glad I broke from that routine. That phone call was so good for my mental health!
Maybe I am getting away from the point, but in what areas of your life do you leave space?
Amy
Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa 
Great question to contemplate, Amy! I agree wholeheartedly with the “having not time” to do such and such. I have come to the conclusion that people say they don’t have the time for some activity or commitment, it means that they are generally interested in it/ know it would be good for them but it’s not high enough on their priority list to actually do. People make time for what is important for them.
For instance, when I had young kids, I would run after they went to bed. Many of my friends would relax during that time but for me, I liked to burn pent up energy and I’d reflect on the day when I ran. Then my friends would say something like they wish they were in shape but they had no time to exercise. They had the time- they could have run when I did but they chose to do something else instead that was higher on their priority list. I didn’t make the time to watch TV not because I wouldn’t have enjoyed watching the shows but because I prioritized something over that. I will look at someone’s creative work like a knitted or crocheted blanket and say that I wish I had the time to learn how to do that and then to do it. But what I am really saying is that I like the concept of being creative and learning how to do it but I’ve not made it a priority. I COULD learn how to do it but that would take away time from reading or writing a blog post or whatever I’ve deemed is more important with my time. Just my thoughts- enjoyed reading your post!
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Very good example. We make space and time for what matters to us. I could easily say I don’t have time for blogging but it matters to me so I get up and do it. Why can’t I be this good about gym going? I think because I would prefer outside exercise but that is hard with my school schedule. I know I need to lift weights to stay strong, too. I used to run before school when I was in my 20s. I have gotten really good at making excuses!
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Yes, this is my motto too! I don’t like to be over scheduled, cluttered, overwhelmed. I want less to have more -time, fun, joy! I think it’s the gift of midlife when we figure this out and know how we choose to live.
Love this post!
xo,
Kellyann
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Nope! Me either! I just can’t function well. I think I was good about this with my kids. We were definitely not overscheduled. We walked home from school and played on the playground because we had time. I loved their elementary experience because of this.
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This is such a great point. Yes I feel better when there is space in our fridge and cabinets. I need to make more space in my closet. That is on my spring to-do list for sure!
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Thank you! I am the same. The donation center was packed so you can tell so many are doing their spring cleaning.
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I hadn’t really thought about this concept but yes! When my fridge is full and unorganized, I’m grumpy. When my closet is too full and I can’t see all my options, I’m grumpy 🤣 my biggest window of space I’ve created is in the morning. My 45 min – 1 hour of quiet time. I read every night before bed but sometimes only for a few minutes. I’m trying to make space to get steps (& workouts) in. I’m not perfect but recently I’ve chosen to go for a walk when I really want to put my pjs on 🤣
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I tend to waste produce when my produce drawers are too full, too! I need to work on an exercise routine. I tend to be all or none and there needs to be a happy middle place.
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You walk Ernie, so you get steps in. I agree about produce drawers for sure! I need to be able to see what we have.
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This is a great post and thought provoking! I agree about liking to leave space around my home and environment. Stopping over from Talking About It Tuesday.
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Thank you! yes – I think it applies to many areas of life.
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My refrigerator looks a lot like yours if not “spacier.” I do have lots of things out for decorating because that’s my aesthetic. But, I also know where just about everything is, and that’s what’s important to me. I have lots of space in my calendar as a rule. Leaving space for friends is important to me.
https://marshainthemiddle.com
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That’s great and makes it much easier to see what you have. Many people love a fuller decor and that’s great, too.
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Since my cancer diagnosis and everything that has followed, the idea of leaving space has become so valuable; it really helps you weed out the stuff that doesn’t deserve the space. I’m married to someone who wants “stuff” everywhere – he’s not a hoarder but he definitely is a “more is more” guy. I want clear counters, desks, tables – brings me peace. Right now, I have three dogs, a teenager and an eight year old visiting for a week so I’ve already warned him that we start Spring cleaning next week (something I’ve never really paid any mind to in the past).
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I am sorry to hear about your cancer diagnosis. It is very hard when your partner has a different stuff philosophy. You have a full house this week. I hope it works out out and you find your zen while hosting.
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I absolutely subscribe to leaving space where space is possible. Sometimes it’s a choice and sometimes circumstances demand our attention when we’d rather put it elsewhere. I know if I don’t have some space in my week I’ll be cranky. I also know I can’t have too much space or I’ll tend toward lazy and unproductive which also leaves me feeling frustrated. Have a great day!
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Yes! So true! I am the same way. It’s good to find that balance. And, I can think of a million things to do when I don’t have time and then when I do have time I am sometimes paralyzed with indecision about what to do.
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Sometimes I feel like I have too much empty space – maybe the problem is what I am choosing to make space for. I do love the idea of leaving empty spaces around my house. Its very zen to me. (:
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Have you ever done a time audit? Don’t change a thing but record your day. I have done this in the summer and it’s really eye opening. If you have the freedom and luxury to shape your day the way you want, that is amazing. If you choose to read for 4 hours that is your choice! But, I like the idea of being intentional and knowing where your time goes.
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This is such an important concept. One of the things I loved during my expat time was that everyone (the other wives) had a “blank slate” for their calendars since we were all developing friendships and routines when we arrived. Everyone had time for a coffee or a walk!
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I feel like that is so much more true in other countries – they leave space for coffee and walks. Here in the US I feel like we almost take pride in filling every single moment and then talking about how busy we are.
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Leaving space in all parts of our lives is so important. I know what you mean about the fridge, when it is full there’s just too much choice and food goes to waste.
I try not to fill my weeks with too many plans so I am live in the moment and just do things.
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Isn’t it? I feel like I am constantly moving fridge stuff around so I can see what I have.
I agree with that philosophy!
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I have been working hard this fall and winter to create space as we declutter and reorganize our home for this next phase of life (full retirement for both hubby and me). I like the phrase you shared about “wasting less when you have less” and I couldn’t agree more. Two weeks ago we released a lot of clutter and it was the best feeling in the world! Great post, Amy!
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That is great! It will be a new chapter. I have a teacher friend whose hub will be joining her in retirement and she is scared. Why is releasing clutter so amazing? Thank you!
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Oh Amy, this is a lesson I need to learn from you! Are you offering any one-on-one online tutoring sessions??? Ha! I am terrible at this and then get a bit stressed when something takes extra time or pops up. I will reread this post a few times and hopefully it will sink in.
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Retirement job perhaps? Life coach? Ha! I think we underestimate how long things take and we say yes to too much. Maybe try “I would love to say yes, but I can’t commit right now”.
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I love the space concept and leaving space for it. I love that you connected with a friend too and had space for that. You are pretty wise and awesome!
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Thank you! I am a work in progress and I will go back to work Monday and not leave space for me! Ha!
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