We are overwhelmed and distracted by notifications from our phones, tablets and computers. We also like to blame those devices for the busy lives we lead. While they are partly to blame, we really need to take a look in the mirror.
A few weeks ago we wrote about busyness and how it has a tendency to crush our soul. I have to admit I resonated pretty heavily with something Claire confessed, “And then suddenly it hit me: I’m addicted to being busy.”
The best thing about “being busy” is we have the opportunity to undo it. We simply need to remember one very important truth.
The need for less often results in a life of more.
As much as you might agree, and as easy as this sounds, we’re still met with the challenge of carrying this out in our lives—and sometimes that’s not easy.
The secret to building a simple life is something I think we already know. It’s something that we’ve heard a thousand times in the saying, “Inch by inch, it’s such a cinch. Yard by yard, it’s awfully hard.”
We need to take baby steps, and take them one day at a time. We need to be intentional with our actions, deliberate with our decisions and quite frankly, live with purpose. But in order to do this, we need stillness and solitude.
The white space in our life is where the magic happens.
I encourage you today to find one—just one—area in your life that you can make a change. Take one small step towards the life you dream of having, and experience the joy I know you desperately long for.
So turn it off. Put it down. Do not open it. And do not answer it.
For once, put yourself first. Love yourself, and make yourself a priority. Even for just one day, you deserve everything. Every part of the life you are after.
Our goal at No Sidebar is to help you design a simple life.
We don’t have all the answers, but we’re on a journey toward lives of purpose and simplicity, and we’re figuring it out together.
We want to help you figure out what’s getting in your way, at home and at work. We want to help you let go of distractions, online and off. We want to help you turn down the noise that disrupts the quiet of your heart and soul.
Here are 5 reasons why the white space in our life matters:
1. Eliminating the noise allows us to grow.
When you create white space in your life, you remove the distractions that get in the way of who you are and what you want to do. It’s tough to move towards a goal if you have something weighing you down and holding you back. In many cases, that “something” isn’t physical possessions—as we often discuss “clutter” around here. I’m referring to the emotional baggage we carry around, that in my opinion, is more crippling than anything we own can be.
2. We start seeing the things we’ve missed.
Once we get rid of the obstacles in our life—whether they be physical or emotional—we are able to see the road ahead of us more clearly. With an unobstructed path, the landscape ahead of us allows us to move forward and begin the journey of a simple and joy-filled life.
3. Our movement towards authenticity develops.
With an open road ahead, we’ve given ourselves the space and time for reflection. In these moments, we have the opportunity to look inward and admit things that get missed in the busyness of our lives. That vulnerability paves the way for us to do the inner work we need from time to time.
4. Understanding our priorities allows for opportunities.
When we know who we are, and what we are truly meant to do, we have the luxury of identifying which path we want to take in life. Part of that process is knowing what—or who—is important to us, and when we have that figured out, a lot of things fall into place.
5. We can recalibrate and develop a plan.
As we set out on our journey for an intentional and joy-filled life, we can do so with the confidence that our intentions are good and that we’re living with the right people. There’s no greater feeling than fulfilling our calling, because that is when we are experiencing the type of life we were meant to have.
It’s time to get rid of the excess and focus on the essentials. It’s time for the clarity and peace of mind that come from paring down. It’s time for the freedom and confidence that come from making our own best choices.