Creating More Space In Your Life

Do you ever wake up already feeling anxious? It’s that jittery feeling in the pit of your stomach as if something has already created a whirlwind of chaos in your day that hasn’t even begun! I was inspired to write this post after last night’s insomnia. I was laying there scrolling through my Instagram feed (as you do at 3 am) and it hit me. There is just so much stuff in my life. So much stuff and so little space.

Moving to Australia was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done and it certainly took a toll on me mentally. I turned to activities like shopping, social media and wine to distract me from what was actually happening in my life. 10 months and a beauty blog later, I have acquired more “stuff” (particularly beauty products) than I am proud to admit. Now, yes, this is my job and in order to blog and Instagram about beauty, one must own beauty products! That does not mean that one must own 25 face moisturizers!

Now, that is just my example of having too much stuff in my life but let’s take a look at what creating space could look like in your life.

Out With The Old

How many times in the last year have you worn that dress that doesn’t fit but you’re saving it “just in case.” I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone through my wardrobe and found items that I haven’t touched in over a year. Now, to me, it is absolutely exhilarating to let go of these things. To you, it could be the hardest thing you’ll do all year long. When we rid ourselves of things that no longer suit us, we create space to let in new emotions, a new sense of calm and even new people. We can give much more to others when we are at peace with ourselves. Start slowly and evaluate sections of each room in your home. Maybe start with something simple like books/magazines. Are you really ever going to read “Chicken Soup For The Teenage Soul” again? Toss it!

Scheduling Time To Do Nothing

As the Italian call it “Dolce far Niente” which means “the sweetness of doing nothing” (yep…Eat, Pray, Love reference. Just go with it.) But really…open up your planner and count all of the entries that say “me time.” None? That’s ok! It’s the best time to start! If you’re anything like me and get immense satisfaction from crossing things off of your to-do list, then this could be a tricky one. Creating space in your day to just be is so important. If you’re a workaholic, start off slowly with this one. Pencil in a half hour of space into your day where nothing is planned. When nothing is certain, anything is possible!

Appreciate What You Already Have

This is one of my favorites. I have always loved shopping! Some of my best memories from my younger years were going shopping with my mom (we are still known to do some pretty decent damage when we head out.) : ) I see nothing wrong with enjoying shopping responsibly. But what if you took a step back from the commercialized world of consumption and really took the time to appreciate what you already have? We should never be creating space in our lives purposely to bring in more stuff. I love going through my makeup/skincare collection and “shopping” my collection. I find old goodies that I used to love before they were forgotten due to numerous new products making their way in. Take a look at what you own, see if it still represents you and who you want to be and if not, toss it. But take some time to browse your belongings. You never know what you might find!

Simplify Your Routines

Ah, I love the word “simplify.” It is an art that I struggle with and I’m constantly reminding myself to simplify my life. This applies to everything from grocery lists to skincare routines to your daily schedule. By simplifying areas in our lives, we are creating more space to just be. More space for joy and more space to give to others. Try starting with your meal prep for the week. Keep your meals simple and healthy for the week. Love cooking and trying new recipes like I do? That’s amazing! Try choosing recipes that call for items that you already have in the pantry. This will not only save you time and money but it’ll allow you more time to enjoy each meal with your loved ones (and perhaps a glass of wine.)

I hope these tips gave you a bit of insight on creating more space in your life. I am always so fascinated by the idea of minimalism (though I don’t think I could actually ever live a minimalist lifestyle.) My advice is to start slowly and see what changes you feel within. Notice if you wake up feeling less stressed. Embrace that hour at the end of the day where you can just be. And always remember that the smallest things in life are usually the best and in the end, you’ll learn that they were actually the biggest.

Love and light to all of you!

Love, Carrie xo