Shedding the Excess and Taking Space

At times the eco-systems we belong to, the worlds that press around our hips can instigate belonging and a pressure to conform and mould. In these moments it is important to take a step back and reconnect with what we truly resonate with and are moved by with total integrity and attention.

Variety, diversity and uniqueness are qualities to be celebrated and lent into the most. It is easy to exist in an echo chamber (sometimes unknowingly) - however large or small. It is also easy to feel lost in a sea of possibilities, inspirations and dreams - rather than making small attainable steps towards our goals every day.

It is in these moments that we must take up space, ground, relocate and tweak where we are placing our energy. If we have allowed others to take up too much of our time, emotional bandwidth or head-space - it may be an opportune moment to pause, redistribute and prioritise our efforts more fairly, kindly and reasonably.

Our intentions, values and motivations should act as an anchor in all our actions. And the pace we move should feel manageable and attainable - rather than just beyond our reach or without momentum or a sense of movement.

External pressure from our relationships and environment can implode our clarity, blur our vision and take us away from the path ahead. Regularly taking space (be it a few hours, days or weeks) from all that is familiar, predictable and perhaps all-consuming can rewire our capabilities and give our actions a lightness, a sense of freedom and reinforce a sharper vision of what matters to us most.

This act of shedding is found in nature. In autumn, for example, when the trees shed their leaves, they are preserving their energy resources by reducing excess weight: preempting the hibernation phase in Winter. This is a vital parallel we can draw on when reducing excess noise, tasks, commitments and dialogue in our life - by stripping down to the essentials and protecting our energy with heightened boundaries, firmer communication and a lighter load.

Remember, you choose how much you can take on, what you commit to and what you wish to interact with. Take a step back, reduce the excess, centralise your focus and protect your energy.