I’m in the process of giving myself space. I’ve written on my obsession of using time well, and I’ve also discussed giving space for habits to cultivate identities. But what about space for myself?
I’m learning to respect my personal space. When I was dating someone, I naturally saw much of their pov. Even though there was a lot of overlap in our life philosophies, it resulted in seeing the two feet in front of me. There is so much more to see, and now my eyes are wide open. It’s freeing to be alone but also scary, isolating. Often, couples and groups stare, as if an individual taking up space, sans phone, is out of place. Space and solitude go hand-in-hand, especially for walks and meditation.
I’m trying to give myself space to learn. By moving to a new state, to a new job, to a new environment (with roommates), I’m learning so much about how the world works. That some spaces ring true, no matter what city I’m in: corporate America looks the same, waiting in line feels the same, and the church my brother suggested was a trying space… The same.
Yet I’m finding some spaces are shared, even during a time of social distancing. I met new friends at a coffee shop last week, and today we watched football at their home. The mutual feeling of rivalries, victories, and Sunday night games created an open space for more connections.
And there are more spaces I crave, to be more at peace with myself. I’m creating a virtual space here online to process my thoughts. I’m finding more spaces to volunteer. And I’ve found a physical space to read each night, walk every day, and meditate (ideally) every morning.
How about you? Have you taken away activities to give yourself space? Or have you found new ways to repurpose spaces?