Creating Space in your life to attract joy, purpose and simplicity (35 tips)
As mere human beings, we only have so much capacity, so if we’re tired, overwhelmed or stressed - our only option is to start removing things from our plate.
Creating this space allows joy, love, ease, wellness, contentment, simplicity …and a whole host of other wonderful emotions to flow in.
THE RULE OF CREATED SPACE:
Removing negativity leaves a hole, which is then filled up with positivity.
I originally learned this as part of my 12 step recovery work, but it’s been proven in every area of my life, over and over since.
I only recently made the connection between this concept and minimalism, but it makes so much sense and really solidifies my understanding of why simplifying impacts us so positively.
I love the metaphor of a slow smartphone, that needs unused apps, blurry photos and shaky videos to be deleted to create space for new memories.
I know that for a lot of us, minimalism can be a hazy concept, so hopefully this more tangible approach of creating space will help others understand minimalism better too.
Keep reading for 35 practical examples of how we can create space in our lives, and what that new space could then attract.
I may receive a commission if you shop via a link on this site - here’s my full disclaimer
1) Create space for simplicity by minimizing excess clutter
Take a moment to picture these three places:
Your dream home
Inspirational photos you see of homes in magazines
A luxurious hotel suite that you’d love to stay in
Maybe you love stark, industrial spaces, so your mind’s eye imagines lots of concrete and a blank space.
Perhaps you crave cozy, welcoming spaces, so you pictured fireside sofas you could sink into, draped with soft, thick blankets you could engulf yourself in.
Either way …I bet you didn’t imagine a stack of dusty magazines or an impressive collection of VHS tapes.
We all crave those clear, calm spaces—where there is no excess visual clutter nagging for our attention.
It’s the fact that I let out that sigh of relief whenever I walk into a new hotel room - no matter how cheap & cheerful or ridiculously expensive it is.
Physical clutter breeds mental clutter.
It feels so good to be in a space that doesn’t weigh heavily on you.
Letting go of things that you no longer use or love is one of the best things you can do to enjoy your daily life more.
We’ve had so many unexpected benefits to minimizing our belongings; here’s just two examples:
Minimizing our home allowed us to downsize and move closer to my husband’s work to cut down on his commute - giving us an extra 54 hours a month together as a family. That’s nearly an extra 4.5 months that my husband gets to spend with our daughter in the first five years of her life.
We got out of debt years before schedule because we weren’t spending anywhere near as much as we used to
I can’t wait to hear what changes for you.
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2) Create space for efficiency by organizing
Once you have let go of all of the things you no longer use or love, it’s time to find a logical and labelled home for everything you do want to keep.
Everything having a place makes life so much easier.
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3) Create space for free time by tidying little and often
It’s amazing how much you can get done in five minutes a day!
You can easily commit to the habit of tidying daily if you just do a teeny tiny tidy:
Set a timer for 1 to 5 minutes (depending on your energy levels that day)
Tidy your little heart out until the buzzer sounds
If you feel motivated to keep tidying when the timer goes off - bonus!
If you’re exhausted and want to go lie down in your blanket burrito, go for it! (…completely guilt-free, because you stuck to your goal)
These tiny tidies only work if you’re tidying correctly - check the below to see if you’re making any of the 11 common tidying mistakes…
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4) Create space for enjoying getting ready by building a capsule wardrobe
A capsule wardrobe is always my number one recommendation for anyone who’s feeling overwhelmed or exhausted.
It’s quick and easy to do (the below process is over and done within 2 hours) but has astounding results on your clutter, chaos, and confidence levels.
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5) Create space to dress like the real you by finally giving your style a name
Knowing yourself and your core personal look is the first and most important step in having an intentional wardrobe.
Dressing authentically may not seem like a big deal, but imagine feeling more confident every day and the huge impact that would have on how you move through this world.
As fashion styles are so fluid and subjective, it’s almost impossible for us to fit tidily into one category, so the answer is to find our unique blend of styles - here’s how:
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6) Create space in your wardrobe by letting go of excess clothes
If a capsule wardrobe isn’t your bag, there are heaps of other ways to clear out your closet…
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7) Create space for easier routines by reducing decision fatigue
The decision fatigue caused by clutter is like death by a thousand paper cuts - we don’t even notice it but it wears us down.
Having too many options just adds to our constant feeling of overwhelm.
We are generally creatures of habit who have favourites.
Even people who love changing things up, would benefit from rotating the options available, so they only have to pick from a smaller group of items.
Here are some examples of how to reduce decision fatigue:
Separate your daily-use products from your other products so there’s less visual clutter as you get ready each day
Remove the pile of books that you want to read from your nightstand, and just keep out the book you’re currently reading
Have a 2, 3, or 4 week meal plan so you never have to decide what’s for dinner (but it’s spread out enough that you’re not bored)
8) Create space for independent play by rotating toys
Toy rotation equals calmer kids, tidier homes and happier parents.
Even better - it only takes 10 minutes to set up.
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9) Create space for your unique strengths and weaknesses by designing your home with you in mind
So many of us do things the way we do, for the wrong reasons - that’s how my Mum did it, that’s how we’ve always done it, that how it’s “supposed” to be done.
The only reasons we should run our home in a certain way, is:
Because that’s how we want to do it
Because it’s the easiest way to do it
There is absolutely no benefit of doing something the hard way, if it can be done easier.
Your home only needs to make sense to you and your family/housemates.
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10) Create space for harmony and teamwork by arguing less about mess
Working together as a team completely shifted how we look after our home and each other.
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11) Create space for the things that you love by saying no to the things that you don’t
We’re all grown-ups, and apart from a few exceptions, we don’t have to do things that we don’t want to.
So unless it’s a HELLS-YES for you, you can probably say no.
This article by Self has tips for saying no, example responses, why you shouldn’t lie, and makes a really interesting point:
“Here’s the thing: Anyone who refuses to take no for an answer with regard to the relatively minor requests probably isn’t great at respecting boundaries in general, which is helpful information to have!”
-Rachel Wilkerson Miller
12) Create space for creativity by unplugging
I know it’s not very minimalist-y of me to say, but I actually think technology, TV and social media are pretty fantastic.
We live in the information age - never before have we had the freedom to learn about anything we wanted at the touch of a button. I especially love the “info-tainment” of it all. I can honestly say that platforms like Tiktok are teaching me so much - making me a better, happier, healthier, richer person - and are making me laugh my arse off whilst they do it.
And I’m constantly fascinated by the great revival of TV. I think something really magical happened around the Sopranos era, where a lot of shows surpassed movies in terms of quality. Binge-watching changed how we consume TV, and I’m here for it.
My suggestion is just to make sure that there’s a balance between your plugged-in and unplugged time and healthy boundaries - we keep it very easy breezy over here, with just one screen-free night a week.
If you’re looking for ideas for what to do with your unplugged time, my favorite tip is to look back on your childhood to see if there are any hobbies that you’d like to revive.
Rediscovering my love of drawing has been one of the great joys of my life, especially since my daughter and husband love art as much as I do.
When little Willow is less let’s-flip-this-over-for-fun-y, I can’t wait to get back into jigsaw puzzles.
It’s amazing how much more creative you feel when you have the time and space to tap into it.
13) Create space for joyful, loving movement by changing up your exercise routine
Punishing yourself with exercise is not it.
There are so many different ways to move our body that there’s bound to be one that brings you joy.
And since the pandemic, there are so many more ways to find help, support and community with speciality home workouts.
I recently added an energy practice into my routine and whilst it’s not traditional exercise, it gets me up and moving, and my body always feels so alive and energized afterwards.
I also really enjoy barre as I find it to be really impactful in a short amount of time.
So whether you want to hike to a waterfall, dance with friends, or join a walking basketball team - the more joyful, the better!
Resources:
Yoqi energy practice channel (free) - here’s their beginner routine & daily routine
Unmeasured barre (paid subscription) - check out the free class
14) Create space in your day by taking advantage of your natural energy cycles
Prioritize getting as much sleep as you need, and try to use your natural energy cycles to work at whatever time of the day (or night!) is best for you.
I love working early in the morning and in the afternoon. However, my brain insists on taking a rest mid- to late in the morning.
15) Create space for self care by cutting back on reoccurring responsibilities
To gradually add self-care into your busy life, I recommend squeezing short, reoccurring time slots into your calendar.
A good way to do this is to cut back on other reoccurring appointments that you’d rather not do.
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16) Create space for spontaneous adventures by scheduling downtime
A jam-packed schedule doesn’t have any wiggle room for last-minute adventures.
Leave yourself room for spontaneity by intentionally creating space in your schedule.
17) Create space for rest by creating a work-life balance
Are you worrying about work into the wee hours?
Are you taking work calls over the weekend?
Are you working extra unpaid hours that no one asked you to?
Are you ruining your rest by thinking about work the whole time?
Creating clear boundaries between your work and home life helps you be more present, rest and restore.
18) Create space in your budget with healthy money habits
Simplifying our life improved our finances drastically.
We save ~$2k a year & reset our spending mindset with a monthly no spend week
We save an emergency fund for times in need
We use sinking funds to save for specific things, e.g. Christmas, travel, vet bills, etc.
We save ~$1.35k a year on clothes by thrifting them
I quit my Amazon Prime habit
I make a lot less impulse buys
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19) Create space for being wrong by practicing humility
There have been many periods in my life when I thought I knew everything, and it always resulted in me falling on my face.
Turns out I do not know everything.
Nowadays one of my main goals in life is always to remain teachable.
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20) Create space to learn by letting go of worrying
One of my favorite sayings is:
Worrying is the least productive of all human emotions
Planning and preparing are great, but worrying itself does nothing for us—it just drains our time and energy.
Consciously letting go of worrying can free you up to learn new things.
My favorite way to learn is by osmosis - podcasts on my morning walk home from daycare, adding educational content to my feed, etc.
21) Create space for resilience with a positive mindset
A positive mindset is the most powerful tool you have to inspire change in you, your life and others.
It’s consciously making the most of any given situation by acknowledging and honouring the bad for as long as needed, but ultimately focusing and amplifying the good.
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22) Create space for growth by setting personal goals
Creating personal goals is a really easy way to be more intentional about our life and the person we want to be.
I always try to have one thing that I’m working on to be a slightly better version of myself than the day before.
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23) Create space for gratitude by acknowledging and honouring your negative feelings
As a naturally negative person, gratitude does not always come naturally to me.
My therapist taught the oil & vinegar method of journaling and it really helps me honour my negative thoughts, and then feel more able to let them go.
Start with the vinegar: write all of your negative thoughts, no matter how bratty or dark, just let it all out.
Now add the oil: Now you’ve released all of the negativity, observe to see if any more neutral or positive thoughts come up about the situation.
Perhaps you feel ready to look at it from the other person’s point of view.
Perhaps you’re ready to look at your part.
Perhaps you’re able to find gratitude for some part of the situation
Perhaps you see a way to avoid this happening again.
24) Create space to pause when you don’t know what to do
As an impulsive woman of action, the most infuriating - yet helpful - advice I’ve ever received was this:
If you don’t know what to do, do nothing.
Sometimes it’s a smart idea to pause even if you DO “know” what to do …as sometimes our first instinct is not always the best response.
I do not think well on my feet.
Instead I ponder, feel a whole range of big emotions, and then usually end up in a completely different place than where I started.
So I try to give it at least 24 hours before responding to something hurtful.
25) Create space to build up self-esteem by doing esteemable acts
In early recovery, I felt distrustful of people who wanted to help me, without wanting anything in return.
I felt pathetic and didn’t want to be anyone’s pity project.
It made no sense to me at all.
A kind long-timer shared the following metaphor that completely changed how I see self-care & helping others:
When our cup is empty, the right thing to do is to get it filled back up.
When our cup is so full that it’s overflowing, the right thing to do is to fill up other people’s cups.
I certainly found it to be true.
Once I’d been “selfish,” accepted help, and put myself first so I could heal and recover - I found that I wanted to help others.
Being of service to others always leaves me feeling better.
26) Create space to protect your energy by limiting time with draining people
Every encounter either energizes or drains us.
Observe yourself after spending time with someone - are you grinning and feeling full of love, or are you feeling a huge sense of relief that it’s over?
Where possible, limit your time with those that drain you.
27) Create space for serenity by letting go of expectations
Expectations are just pre-disappointments.
It’s great to set and hold boundaries, but we cannot control others - nor can we expect them to act in a certain way because that’s what we would do.
Similarly, we can set personal goals, but we cannot expect ourselves to be immune from the human condition and completely change who we are in an instant.
Expectations often have the word “should” attached to them.
Try not to should all over yourself or others.
28) Create space for deep and meaningful conversations with your partner by always striving to get to know them better
My husband and I take turns asking each other these questions on long car journeys or hikes.
It’s a lovely change from our usual toddler and work chatter.
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29) Create space for happiness with meditation
Meditation is a lot less complicated and a lot more flexible than we expect it to be.
So much so that you can even do it in your sleep…
Sleep meditation idea (from Tiktok by @PartTimeWellness): Set an alarm 20 minutes before you need to wake up. Grab your headphones, hit play on a guided meditation, and then go back to sleep. You’ll wake up feeling well-rested and excited to start your day.
Insight timer app has great guided meditations too.
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30) Create space for your true, authentic self by facing your addictions
When I stopped drinking, I felt like I had to give up my entire personality along with it.
I had no idea who I was without my loud, alcohol-worshipping, party-girl personality.
I felt boring. I felt empty.
That’s how I described it to my first sponsor, “I feel empty” …I wailed.
I’ll always remember her response:
“Good. Now the real you can fill up that space!”
And oh boy, she was right!
Once I’d stripped away the people-pleasing, fear, ego, and trauma, and created space - in flooded self-worth, honesty, humility, and my authentic self.
If you’re struggling with addictive behaviors, please reach out to a medical professional or person you trust.
31) Create space for abundance by letting go of scarcity mindset
Living in fear keeps our world very small and cold.
Putting people down when they succeed
“I’m not telling any of my colleagues how to do what I do, that way they have to keep me on”
“Why hasn’t he texted back yet?!”
Living from a place of abundance makes the world limitless, warm, and exciting - people and opportunities are drawn to you.
You CAN’T compete with me …because I want you to win too :)
“I don’t gate-keep information because I want to see my colleagues succeed”
“Thanks for your message, I’m just about to meet up with friends, so I’ll chat with you later”
32) Create space for peace by coming to terms with death
Society’s last taboo topic seems to be the one thing that we will all experience - dying.
My Mum passed away recently, and it was such a comfort to lean into Buddhist teachings that emphasize that death is just a part of life.
It taught me that death can be beautiful, and I’m surprised by how much peace that brings me in my day-to-day life.
The following quote describes how we love to keep ourselves busy to avoid thinking about the fact that we’re going to die one day.
It’s also the best description of true minimalism that I’ve ever heard. Balance. Simplicity.
In the modern world, we have to work and earn a living, but we should not get entangled in a nine to five existence, where we live without any view of the deeper meaning of life. Our task is to strike a balance, to find a middle way, to learn not to overstretch ourselves with extraneous activities and preoccupations, but to simplify our lives more and more. The key to finding a happy balance in modern life is simplicity.
- The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying
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33) Create space for self-compassion by accepting your flaws and imperfections
There’s no such thing as a perfect human being.
We’re all flawed, imperfect creatures.
Do you know the Leonard Cohen song, Anthem?
It talks about a cracked bell, and it’s some of the most beautiful lyrics ever sung (in my humble opinion):
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in
Oof! It gets me every time.
I did a lot of self-work over the years to accept myself as I was, but the thing that really solidified this for me was becoming a Mum.
Loving Willow so much made me realize how loved I was.
She inherited some of my least favorite traits—my “McMillan” chin and caterpillar eyebrows—and you know what? She is blimmin’ perfect, so I can’t be all that bad either!
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34) Create space to get to know the real you by journalling every day
Finding your why in life makes everything easier.
It brings all of the important things into focus and blurs out the unnecessary distractions.
But we can’t find our why until we understand what makes us tick.
Journaling is a beautiful way to get to know our true, authentic selves.
Journaling every day gives us so much insight into what we really want in life.
It helps us process our thoughts and feelings and allows us to let go of resentments and negativity.
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35) Create space to find purpose by stripping away unnecessary distractions
Cruising on autopilot, and all of the noise in our daily lives can easily drown out our true purpose.
When we start to strip away the distractions, we feel less adrift, and it becomes easier and clearer to see our true priorities in life.
I’d never known what I wanted to be “when I grow up”.
Once I got started with simplifying our life - I fell in love with it.
I started talking about it to anyone who’d listen and then writing about it online.
One thing led to another, and now I get to do this in my pajamas all day.
I found my purpose in my late thirties by decluttering my two extra whisks that I was holding on to just in case …so you can too :)
What will you create space for?
I’d like to leave you with these two simple formulas to hopefully inspire you to come up with specific ways to create space that are unique to your life.
Creating space is my new favourite metaphor for simple living and minimalism, because it’s tangible and easy to personalize.
Creating space in their schedule might mean finally slowing down and getting some rest for one person, or it might mean ramping up cookie production for a hobby baker that’s always dreamed of starting a side business.
These formulas are not perfect for every situation, but trying out a mad libs style game may help you come up with some personal ways to create space - just replace the pink sections.
For extra inspiration, you could play around with adding the positive benefit first, or picking what to remove/add first.
It can be a really powerful exercise to reverse engineer - look your goal, and then look at what needs to be removed from your life in order to meet it.
Formula 1 - Remove negativity
Create space
[for/to <positive benefit>]
by
[removing/reducing <negative aspect>]
e.g.:
Create space to find purpose by stripping away unnecessary distractions
Formula 2 - Increase positivity
Create space
[for/to <positive benefit>]
by
[increasing/starting/doing <positive habit>]
e.g.:
Create space for self-compassion by accepting your flaws and imperfections
Use these formulas to write out as many ideas as you can.
Creating space for/to __________ by __________
Creating space for/to __________ by __________
Creating space for/to __________ by __________
Creating space for/to __________ by __________
Conclusion
I hope these examples of creating space in our lives have been helpful to you.
Let me know in the comments below what you’ll be creating space for in your life.
If you’re looking for more minimalism inspiration, here are my favourite benefits.
