More white space is needed in today’s life
As a journalist, I learned all about white space and how it functions in the design of a page. White space leads the eye to a focus. It gives the mind space and room to see, think, and absorb information in the white space. A page without white space would feel cluttered, out of control, and unfocused. White space has a role and a function. Yet, that space was never considered the focus. The focus was always on what was between those white spaces.
Many years later, after leaving a career in journalism, I have come to see white space as something different. White space has become the room I make for something spontaneous: a thought, an idea, a game played with my son, or an impromptu lunch with my husband. It’s an unstructured moment where I leave room and space for enjoying the present moment.
Living in the present is an act most of us struggle with in one form or another. Distractions fill our world. Phones constantly buzz with information like news feeds, phone calls, texts, and an email box bursting with information. We are enslaved to everything around us, letting those distractions dictate our day and emotions, and we don’t listen to our hearts to discover what they most hungrily yearn for at that moment. We mindlessly do things as we always have, living like a zombie directed by the winds and currents surrounding us. Then, we often wonder why we are stressed, exhausted, and burned out.
If you look at the practice of meditation and take a moment to consider it, this age-old practice is about one thing -- giving your mind white space. Meditation frees your brain from those thoughts that plague it and burden it in everyday life. Reclaiming freedom, creativity, and hope takes a moment, but our to-do lists and the ever-present information overload evolve into an addiction. Letting go of the noise paralyzes us with fear.
But — what if we changed our dedication to noise? What if we started to look at that white space as much more purposeful than we ever thought it was? What would our minds do with that space? How would life be different?
For me, those moments where I give myself space are when I am at my best. That’s when I create the best memories with my family or get my best ideas for writing, but there is one problem. Most of the white space we create is unintentional. We don’t think about it purposefully. Most of the time, those empty spaces that are up to our design aren’t scheduled, unlike a client meeting or business event. So, my challenge for you is to build white space in your day and throughout the week. Make it purposeful — when you need a recharge, and as you go through this process, discover what this looks like for you and how it impacts your mind and stress level.
As you build this practice, consider these questions: How do I develop and design this white space as part of my life? How often must it be a part of my schedule to make a difference?
It’s time to uncover the importance and the power of the white space we create and the difference it makes in our lives.
