Space to Must

Another week has gone by, which means that you get another post. Can you believe that last week was the fall equinox? I’ve noticed that the temperatures are dropping and the days are getting shorter. On the one hand, I’m sad that it gets darker earlier, which tells me that winter is coming. On the other hand, it means that I sleep better because it’s cooler – I’ve even added a blanket on my bed this week.

If you’ve been following along, you know that we’ve discussing the book by Elle Luna, “The Crossroads of Should and Must”. Last week, we discussed the first two of the four big concerns people have about achieving sustainable Must: Money and Time. Today, we are going to discuss the next one: Space.

Space

Elle says that “you may think that you don’t have space for Must because you don’t have an office, or a studio, or even a door. While you do need a physical space – it could be a desk at the library, a garden bench” or a bit of space stolen out of a room in your house. “Your space needs to be a space to reconnect, both physically and emotionally. A place to think. A place to be. A place to quiet the world and connect to current events within”. She continues as she writes: “you need a physical space – private, safe and just for you. When you are in this space, you are not available. I repeat You are not available. This is your sacred space to be by and with yourself. This is your safe container… Find this place and make it your own”.

I remember an article I read about a woman who created her space in a small closet. She left the top shelf, and removed the rest. Fitted a narrow desk and slim shelves and drawers under it and space to fit her chair. She put a cork board up and on the sides hooks for her rulers, scissors and some of the gadgets. The sewing machine was on the table to the side so she had some room to do some cutting. It looked very cool!

Elle continues to say that “Must loves play. And play is messy. Things get flipped upside down and inside out and torn up and pulled apart and put back together again in new combinations. This is where doors open into unforeseen worlds… You don’t have to be a painter to hold a brush or a carpenter to use a hammer”.

“Must needs solitude. Solitude is how we quiet our voices, the incessant chatter. It’s how we create the necessary calm, empty spaces. Vision needs solitude. Courage needs solitude. Because when our choices evolve from an internal place of rooted knowing, we become resilient, emboldened and focused”.

Integrating solitude into our lives must be done in sustainable, everyday ways. Here are a few of Elle’s ideas:

  • Wash the dishes
  • Sit in a church during off hours
  • Sweep the floors every morning
  • Meditate
  • Take a walk alone
  • Set a timer for 30 minutes and do not check your phone
  • Rest

What would you add to this list? I would add:

  • Turn the computer off
  • Read a book
  • Sit outside wrapped in a blanket with a cup of tea
  • Close your eyes and daydream

When was the last time you were really, truly alone with yourself? What was it like? Did you like it?

I spend a lot of time by myself, in solitude and silence. Creating, making or just being. My studio has become my sanctuary, where I can sit and relax and some days just do nothing but contemplate life and make lists in my head. Or put two fabrics together into a new design. Every book in my bookshelves, every knick-knack, every tchotchke has a story. A story that’s important to me. A story maybe that’s waiting to be told.

What’s your story? Let’s leave it here for today. I’m going to go and attend a Zoom call and then I’m going to Must and take a break; make a cup of tea, close my eyes, and day dream.

Until I write again, I wish you a few minutes of dreaming, a few minutes of contemplation, and a few Musts. Don’t forget to check the new classes coming up in October.

Ana

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