Free Space.
This article is part of Finding the Words, a newsletter that delivers practical insights on the day’s issues.
Last Friday, I decided to treat my daughter to dinner at a local restaurant after a particularly grueling week. We walked in ready for some peace and quiet, but instead, we found… Bingo Night.
At first, I thought, not tonight. But then I saw it, smack in the middle of my card, glowing like a neon sign: Free Space.
It was the reminder I didn't know I needed.
In seasons when our days feel packed to the edges, free space can feel impossible to find. Yet it's precisely what can help us reset and advance with clarity.
If you're feeling like the free space in your life is eluding you, here are a few small but powerful ways to reclaim it:
Look up. On days when we feel particularly stressed, our shoulders hunch, our necks crane down, our fists tighten, and our eyebrows furrow. Physical reactions to mental anxiety are real, and they can be detrimental to our long-term well-being. When you're feeling those physical signs of stress come on, try a reset. Shift your gaze upward, and take a few very deep breaths. Simply shifting your gaze upward has been shown to calm the nervous system and counteract the "tunnel vision" caused by stress and prolonged screen time. By helping your body let go, your mind can begin to let go of all it is holding, too.
Walk away. Even if you believe you can't afford to take a break, take it. Just 10 minutes away from technology, off meetings and in silence—listening to the natural sounds of the world can do wonders to bring you back to a place of calm and comfort. And science proves the effect. According to Science Daily, microbreaks have been consistently shown to help people maintain their energy and engage more effectively in their work throughout the day.
Check your space. Aim to set up your home or work environment in ways that help your mind enjoy some free space, even in passing moments. Is there something in your line of sight that can ground you and help you get through particularly tough or draining moments? A mantra, a post-it note reminder to breathe deeply, a photo of the place where you feel most at ease—even when you can't physically get away, the words and visuals in your line of sight can do wonders to help you find free space, too.
When we learn to redeem the free spaces in our days, wherever we can find them—be it a brief walk during a busy day, 10 minutes of meditation between meetings, or an hour of quiet unstructured time—we learn to regain control of our days, our decisions, and our actions.
Free space can bring us back.
Bottom line: What we find won't always be hiding in a Bingo board. But a little free space can get you closer to what you need most.
This post is part of the Finding The Words column, a series published every Wednesday that delivers a dose of communication insights direct to your inbox. If you like what you read, we hope you’ll subscribe to ensure you receive this each week.
