Making Space For Yourself
As November arrives here in Australia, the days are getting longer, the weather is warming up and we begin to feel the shift towards summer. Christmas plans start appearing on the calendar, work deadlines creep closer and the familiar busyness of the end-of-year period begins to build.
A Gentle Pause Before the Year Rushes By
Can you believe we're already approaching the end of another year?
It's an exciting time, but it can also be a time when we find ourselves trying to do more, organise more and be there for everyone around us.
And somewhere in the middle of it all, we can forget about ourselves.
We tell ourselves we'll rest when things settle, make time for ourselves once everything is organised or slow down when we finally get through that never-ending to-do list.
But what if we didn't have to wait?
What if, instead of trying to squeeze more into our days, we created a little breathing room?
This November, I invite you to explore what it means to make space for yourself — not by changing everything in your life, but by making small, intentional choices that honour your own needs.
Because you deserve to be part of your own list of priorities, too.
Why Is It So Hard to Make Time for Ourselves?
For many women, putting others first becomes second nature.
We're often the ones remembering appointments, organising family activities, supporting our partners, caring for children or ageing parents, managing work responsibilities and keeping everything ticking along.
We become so accustomed to being the person everyone relies on that we can forget we need care and support ourselves.
Sometimes, we even feel guilty when we do take time out.
We might wonder whether we should be doing something more productive, whether someone else needs us, or whether it's okay to say no when we've always been the one to say yes.
Over time, this can leave us feeling mentally overloaded, emotionally drained or disconnected from the things that bring us joy.
And the truth is, there will probably always be something else that needs doing.
The house can wait. The emails can wait. Some of the less urgent tasks can wait.
Your wellbeing matters in the middle of everyday life, not just when everything else is taken care of.
Making space for yourself isn't selfish. It's an acknowledgement that your needs matter, too.
Four Areas of Your Life to Reflect On
Sometimes, we don't realise just how little room we've left for ourselves until we stop and take a closer look.
Here are four simple areas to consider.
1. Your Time
Take a look at your calendar. Is every moment accounted for? Are you filling your days with obligations while leaving little time for rest or enjoyment?
You don't need to clear your entire schedule. Perhaps you could leave one evening free, take a proper lunch break or protect ten minutes each day that belong just to you.
2. Your Energy
Notice what leaves you feeling depleted and what helps you feel replenished.
Are there commitments you're taking on out of habit or obligation? Could you ask for help, share the load or give yourself permission to say no?
You don't have to be available to everyone, all the time.
3. Your Mind
Even when we're physically resting, our minds can continue racing through everything we need to remember, organise or complete.
Perhaps you could write down your worries, put your phone aside for a little while or spend a few minutes outdoors without needing to achieve anything.
Give yourself permission to be present in the moment you're actually living.
4. Yourself
When was the last time you did something simply because it made you happy?
It might be reading a book, listening to music, pottering in the garden, meeting a friend or enjoying a quiet cup of tea.
You don't need to justify the things that bring you joy. They are a valuable part of your wellbeing, too.
As you reflect on these four areas, don't feel that you need to change everything at once.
Simply notice where you might need a little more breathing room.
Then choose one small place to begin.
Your Pause & Reset Ritual
I'd love you to set aside 10–15 minutes this month to reconnect with yourself.
You don't need anything special. Just a quiet space, a comfortable place to sit and a willingness to give yourself a little undivided attention.
Step 1: Create your space
Make yourself a cup of tea, sit somewhere peaceful or step outside into the fresh air.
Put your phone aside and allow yourself to step away from the demands of the day.
Step 2: Take a breath
Close your eyes if that feels comfortable, soften your shoulders and take five slow, gentle breaths. With each exhale, imagine setting down some of the things you've been carrying.
You don't need to solve anything right now. Simply allow yourself to arrive in this moment.
Step 3: Reflect on these three questions
Take your time with each question. You might like to write your thoughts in a journal or simply sit quietly with whatever comes up.
What am I carrying that I could put down, even just a little?
Perhaps it's an expectation, a commitment, a worry or the pressure to have everything under control.
What would I like to make more space for?
Think about what you need more of in your life. Rest, connection, creativity, laughter, stillness or time to simply be yourself.
What is one small thing I can do this week to honour that need?
Choose something realistic and kind. It doesn't need to be a big commitment or another task on your to-do list.
Maybe it's leaving one evening free, asking someone to help, taking a walk in the sunshine or allowing yourself to say no to something that doesn't feel right.
Step 4: Set your intention
Place a hand over your heart, take one more slow breath and gently repeat:
“I give myself permission to slow down, honour my needs and make space for what truly matters to me.”
Take a moment to notice how it feels to offer yourself that permission.
You don't need to have everything figured out. You simply need to begin with one small choice that supports you. And let that be enough.
Making Space Doesn't Mean Doing Less of What Matters
It's important to remember that making space for yourself doesn't mean withdrawing from the people you love or abandoning your responsibilities.
It's about finding a little more balance in the way you give your time and energy.
It's recognising that you can care deeply for others while also caring for yourself.
It's understanding that you don't need to say yes to everything, fill every spare moment or push through every sign that you need a break.
Sometimes, making space means asking for help.
Sometimes, it means letting something wait until tomorrow.
And sometimes, it simply means allowing yourself to sit quietly for ten minutes without feeling that you should be doing something else.
As we move towards the end of the year, there will be plenty of invitations, celebrations, commitments and things to organise.
You don't have to do everything.
You can choose what matters most to you and give yourself permission to approach the rest in a way that feels manageable.
You don't have to fill every space. Some spaces are there simply for you to breathe.
Giving Yourself Permission to Pause
Sometimes, making space for yourself means more than finding a few extra minutes in your day.
It can mean giving yourself the opportunity to step away from your usual responsibilities and receive a little care yourself.
This is one of the things I love most about my work.
Through Sound Healing, Reiki, Crystal Energy and personalised holistic sessions, I offer a nurturing space where you can slow down, relax and reconnect with yourself.
You don't need to arrive with a particular goal or have all the answers. You can simply come as you are and allow yourself time to pause.
If you've been feeling overwhelmed, carrying a little too much or finding it difficult to switch off, perhaps this is your gentle reminder to give yourself that space.
You deserve it, too.
Pause. Breathe. Reset.
What are you giving yourself permission to do this week? I'd love for you to share it below.
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