We’re on Step 4 of and we’ve done some very introspective work so far. (Before you go on, be sure you’ve read and practiced Step 3 so you don’t miss out on the juicy look inside yourself.)

We’ve drilled in deep. Now, in this step, we’re ready to make some penetrating, inside-out changes.

Step 4: Space

Space is the distance between two things. In this case, it refers to the space between sense and thought, thought and story, story and behavior. Increasing the space from thought to behavior naturally delays our reactivity as if to make time to think of not reacting at all.

We use the space to lower our voices, to come off the ledge, to subdue our tempers. We use the space to tell different stories, to choose a different thought.

The expanding space allows for patience and presence in order to spot the cause of our problems, the cause of our habits, and the cause of our dis-ease.

How It Clears Clutter

Space is the absence of clutter.

It’s a void that sometimes feels awkward because we’re so used to filling the emptiness with monologue, possessions and worry. But in accepting space, we free ourselves to live more peacefully in that void of stuff, needing things less and less for comfort.

We find that when we create space first in our minds, we naturally open space in our hearts, home and office. Eventually we relish in the continued expansion of space in and around us.

Clear minds clear all clutter because of the honed insight and awareness.

The more distance we allow between stimulus and reaction, the freer we become because we’re allowing life to unfold without our resistance. We break from the clinging, the impulses, the defensiveness, because there’s time to sit back, watch and observe. And in that seat of witness, we find peace, forgiveness, nonjudgment and love.

We put space between thought and belief. Not every mental concept has to be molded into a belief. Thoughts can float by while we observe from a distance, choosing just to watch.

With space, we have enough of a clear vantage point to let thoughts pass as clouds pass in the sky.

What This Feels Like

Space feels like spaciousness. It feels like making room to relax, rest and regroup. It feels like time to process, consider and ponder, rather than assume, judge or jump to conclusions.

It feels like room to consider perspectives other than your own, to discover alternative explanations, alternative realities. When we step away from “my way” and open ourselves up to “a way,” it feels like enlightenment.

We’re not directly affected by everything because we have a buffer from which to observe everything at arm’s length. Clarity opens our eyes to see life as an experience to appreciate, not a catastrophe to dread. Everything can be as it is, come as it will, and we’ll be ok.

A Tool for Making Space: Journal

A daily journal is a great way to create space. Writing your thoughts cleanses stress from the mind—gets it out of our heads and onto paper, making mental space for the present moment. We write down the regrets of yesterday so we don’t bring them into today. We write down our fears about tomorrow so we can live right now. 

I journal every day. Sometimes it is to recap the day before. Sometimes it is complaining and whining about my current predicament. Sometimes it is visioning, where I envision my goals and how it will feel to reach them. I get to dream on paper and create my reality.

The best thing about journaling is the freedom of the blank page. You can write anything on these private pages knowing they’ll never tell. Flow freely on paper because this is your time and this is the place to do so. Disclose your worries, your concerns, your joys and your triumphs. And the pages will reveal your patterns, your fears and your solutions.

Journaling helps us get to the root of these mental concepts so we see how we’re creating our own problems. With that insight, we can watch the clutter begin to lose its power over us.

After a few weeks of journaling, chances are we’ll see the same story repeated over and over, the same fears, the same joys. With it all out on paper, we have the space to come out from under the rubble.

Practice Making Space Today

Use this week to put some space between you and people, you and work, you and your busy schedule. The space will allow time for self-reflection and self-discovery.

Grab a notebook and a pen. Journal for five minutes without interruption every morning this week. Write about your life, your desires, your fears. Write down everything. Get it out of your mind onto paper.

The intention is to clear the mind and make space for presence. Trap your thoughts, worries, concerns and plans for the day, and journal them onto paper, handwritten! Then leave the journal at home as you go about your day.

Leave a comment below on your experience with using a journal to make space. What does it feel like for you?

Excerpt taken from “.”