Yes or no: If there’s free time on my schedule, am I available?
Think about it.
Okay, here are the teacher’s notes: No, you’re not available. Having empty space on your calendar is healthy.
It’s important for us to add downtime to our schedules. Overbooking doesn’t allow room for our minds to rest and rejuvenate. It doesn’t allow us to charge our batteries so we can better approach our upcoming tasks.
And, it also doesn’t allow for God to put necessary things into our lives. Many times, I’ve found that these are spontaneous. But, if I’m ‘slammed’ then I haven’t left room for God to direct me to something He thinks is important.
I’m learning (we’re all works in progress, yes?) that I need to DO LESS and LISTEN MORE.
Those who feed their egos by being busy aren’t living a healthy life. You don’t win a prize when you die for being the busiest person on earth. Don’t make ‘busyness’ your idol. Allow room for downtime to increase your productivity for those times when you are intentionally busy.
Likewise, those who ‘people please’ and run themselves ragged aren’t living a healthy life, either. Telling someone ‘no’ or ‘I don’t have the bandwidth for that’ is necessary and healthy. Being constantly overbooked and run ragged is doing disservice to yourself and others. You can’t give 100% of yourself to any endeavor if you’re stretched too thin.
Take control of your calendar in 2022. (It’s YOURS after all.) When you’re asked to help out or do something beyond your work and life commitments, respond: “I’ll prayerfully consider it.” Then, do. Prayerfully consider it.
But always keep those white spaces on your calendar. For your mental health. For a spontaneous task. For nothing.
Do what you can, but let the rest go. Some of us are in busier seasons than others. Creating white spaces can feel impossible. Try carving out a few minutes each day or several times a week that are just for you. Have a cup or glass of something yummy and stare at the sky. Sit in the quiet and meditate on a verse or quote. Listen to music. Take a drive in the country. Work a craft with your hands. Take a walk, or sit in your favorite chair. Calm down. Relax. Catch your breath. Let your mind wander.
Enjoy your white space!
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” ~Proverbs 17:22