Last weekend we enjoyed a 4 day weekend. WPP, our parent company, declared a company wide long weekend break in a historic first to help employees “Make Space.”
The announcement when made in June was mostly met with disbelief, skepticism or disinterest but once the weekend came around and after the four wonderful days were treasured, employees knew they had tasted something special. LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook lit up with gratitude through posts on what employees had been upto which varied from hiking trips with the family to more time to indulge in hobbies to just having the freedom to do nothing while cherishing not being disturbed by clients!
It got me thinking about the notion of space for us as individuals.
Most of us have not learnt to stop glorifying the hustle to start living intentionally. And the problem is that is that this overwork culture will take a huge toll on us physically and mentally.
We can change that! By making space. In both the physical and mental spaces that we live in.
Let’s take inspiration from Toni Carey, founder of Black Girls RUN, a writer and all round creative.
For me, I’ve finally realized how easy it is to fall into the hustle-culture trap and what I have to do to avoid it. I know now that no success is worth going without sleep and drinking five cups of coffee a day just to make it through a never-ending to-do list. I can still work hard, achieve success, and make money without sacrificing my health and well-being.
Nowadays I work hard, but relax even harder. When I rise, my goal is to be productive but also to stop when I’m ready to stop, even if the work isn’t technically done. (Let’s be honest, when is work ever done?) Planning, consistency, and sustainability aren’t as sexy and social-media-friendly as “rise and grind,” but that’s fine with me. Letting go of hustle culture means letting go of what’s cachet to focus on what I need to be well.
Declutter. Let go. Breathe out. Get rid of the toxicity in your physical and mental environment.
It comes back to some of the basic tenets of a simple lifestyle we’ve discussed in many editions of the newsletter:
Following circadian rhythms - going to be before 10 and waking up before sunrise
Eating natural, fresh, organic nutritionally rich food and avoiding processed foods
Being careful and conscious about caffeine, alcohol and other beverages that can dehydrate
Breathing intentionally
Movement every day even if you are not hitting the gym (though weight training has huge benefits!)
Meditation (I still struggle on this as I have a very over active mind!)
Gratitude journaling
Digital detox
Mindfulness and being present
Time management to maximise productivity in work hours
Scheduling time for hobbies - Learning to say no
Doing nothing!
These are just a few of many ways in which you can make more space for yourself.
The benefits are tremendous for your mental, physical and emotional wellbeing. When you are flourishing on all those dimensions, you invite the opportunities and people into your life that truly make you.
Over to you now:
When was the last time you made space for yourself?
Which of the ideas listed can be immediately applied to create some quick wins for you?
What other activities can help reduce your overwork and stress to create more balance and joy in your life?