Creating Spaciousness in Your Day: A Guide for Families

Embracing Spaciousness

In today's fast-paced world, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by our never-ending to-do lists and tightly packed schedules. Many of us feel the pressure of juggling work, family time, and personal responsibilities. But what if I told you that creating spaciousness in your day could be the key to not only reducing stress but also enhancing the quality of your life? This approach can benefit you, your spouse, and even your children!

Why Spaciousness is Essential

The concept of spaciousness is all about allowing room for flow. By intentionally crafting your day, you create boundaries that enable you to breathe and reflect. This doesn’t mean abandoning responsibilities; instead, it’s about prioritizing and managing your time more effectively. Children, in particular, can greatly benefit from learning how to set aside moments for creativity, unstructured play, and relaxation—constituents of a balanced life.

Simple Ways to Create Spaciousness

Here are some practical tips to help you and your family infuse more spaciousness into your daily routine:

• Start with a Morning Routine: Establish a morning routine that doesn’t rush everyone out the door. Perhaps try waking up 15-30 minutes earlier or incorporating calming activities like meditation or a leisurely breakfast together.

• Schedule Free Time: Just as you schedule meetings or appointments, carve out blocks of free time into your schedule. This will allow everyone to unwind and prevent the day from feeling like a race.

• Prioritize Tasks: List out your daily priorities and identify what truly needs to be done. Focus on completing the essential tasks first; anything else can wait. This will help eliminate the feeling of constant pressure.

• Limit Screen Time: While technology has its perks, excessive screen time can crowd our days. Encourage time away from screens to foster real connections within the family.

• Practice Saying No: It’s okay to decline engagements or invitations that don’t align with your need for space. Teaching your children the value of selectively saying yes will benefit them throughout their lives.

• Allow for extra time: plan to leave 15 minutes early to allow for whatever life might throw your way. This can be a game changer especially when you have little ones. You will be more at ease when the unexpected potty break sneaks up or the meltdown over which shoes to wear on your way out the door.

Incorporating these strategies will help infuse your daily routine with moments of peace and spaciousness. Moreover, you’re setting a shining example for your children on how to manage life’s demands effortlessly.

The Power of Creating Space in Your Day: A Personal Reflection

I’ve always been the type of person who runs from one thing to the next—always racing against the clock, squeezing in tasks at the last minute. If you’re anything like me, it’s easy to fill every moment of your day with “stuff,” constantly moving without taking a breath. But over time, I’ve realized just how much difference it makes when I give myself permission to create space in my day.

For a long time, I didn’t know what it would look like to slow down. I was so used to the hustle—the feeling of always being “on” and chasing the next thing. But I’ve come to see that allowing myself time to breathe, to pause, and to simply be has a huge impact on how I approach everything else. Creating even just a little bit of space—whether it’s between meetings, before picking the kids up, or right after a busy morning—completely changes my energy and mindset.

It’s funny how something as simple as scheduling time to not do anything can reset your entire day. For me, allowing for space means that I’m not rushing through life; instead, I can move through my day with intention, feeling more present, focused, and ready for whatever comes next. Now, instead of feeling like I’m constantly behind, I feel like I’m actually in control—and I’m finally enjoying the pace of my day.

That said, it’s still a journey. I’m not perfect at it yet, and I often have to remind myself to pause, create space, and slow down. It’s not automatic for me just yet, but I’m getting there. And every small step I take toward making space—whether it's adding 10 minutes of quiet in the morning or intentionally stepping away from my to-do list—makes a big difference in how I feel throughout the day.

Teaching Your Children the Value of Spaciousness

Teaching your children how to create space in their day will benefit them now and in the future. Encourage them to engage in hobbies, enjoy leisure time, and practice mindfulness. With your guidance, they’ll learn to navigate life without always feeling rushed or stressed. Ultimately, the gift of spaciousness is a powerful one, fostering resilience, creativity, and overall well-being.

You can start today with even the smallest steps towards creating more spaciousness in your day, and watch as it transforms not only your life but your family’s as well!