The Gift of White Space: How Taking a Step Back Can Propel You Forward
Embrace white space in your schedule and goals to create a thriving business and life.
This holiday season has been a whirlwind—ups and downs, lefts and rights. Usually, I take off the week between Christmas and New Year’s to recharge and spend time with my family. It’s a tradition that started years ago when I worked at CCAC and the college closed from December 24th to the first Monday in January.
But when I started building my business, especially in those early, hustle-heavy years, I let go of that dedicated time off. My “business needed me,” or so I thought. For years, I kept pushing through, always on, afraid to step away.
Fast-forward to this year: I gave myself the space to fully unplug—and it felt great. No guilt. No pressure to “keep up.” No frantic checking of algorithms or inboxes.
The Breaking Point: When “Busy” Stops Working
It wasn’t always like this. In the past, stepping away felt impossible. There was always something urgent—emails to answer, client problems to solve, systems to tweak.
But this year, I made a choice. I decided to embrace what
calls “white space.” It’s a concept we both know well from the WordPress and marketing world, where white space makes websites more user-friendly by giving content room to breathe.Kim’s article on Women, Wisdom & Wealth reminded me that white space isn’t just for websites—it’s for life, too. White space can be the time in your schedule, the ideas you let marinate, or the pause you take to step back and recalibrate your strategy.
What Happens When Clarity Strikes
I stepped back, and guess what? The world didn’t fall apart. Sure, things slowed down—Medium earnings dipped, Substack engagement wasn’t all that, and my inbox is fuller than I prefer. But none of it is catastrophic.
In fact, I realized something important: stepping back actually gave me clarity. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by all the things I “should” be doing, I started seeing what truly matters.
Here’s the kicker: even with earnings slowing and engagement dipping, nothing is unfixable. Everything is manageable and within my control. And that realization? It’s freeing.
Redefining Success On Your Terms
Here’s the lesson of it all: you don’t have to follow the norm. You don’t have to hustle 24/7 or stick to rigid plans that don’t serve you.
Instead, you can create your own version of white space—breathing room that lets you align your goals with your needs, not everyone else’s expectations.
White space isn’t wasted time; it’s essential time. It’s where creativity, clarity, and growth happen.
Let’s Take Some Action: Make It Practical
If you’re ready to embrace white space, here are three steps to make it actionable:
Designate “Offline Days”
Pick one day a week to disconnect from work entirely. Use this time to explore something new—a hobby, a book, a walk in nature. The goal isn’t just to recharge, but to stimulate your creativity and gain fresh perspectives.Adopt the “Reverse To-Do List”
At the end of each day, write down what you actually accomplished instead of what you planned to do. This simple shift turns your attention to wins rather than gaps. Over time, you’ll notice positive patterns, making it easier to double down on what works and ditch what doesn’t.Create a White Space Ritual
Set aside 30 minutes daily for uninterrupted thinking. No screens, no tasks—just you and a blank notebook. Use this time to let your mind wander, brainstorm ideas, or even doodle and brain dump. Think of it as a mental reset—a moment to step back and see the bigger picture of your goals and priorities.
The Unexpected Benefits
Here’s what happens when you create white space:
Clarity: You see what truly matters and let go of what doesn’t.
Creativity: Ideas flow more freely when your mind has room to breathe.
Sustainability: You build a business and life that feel aligned, not forced.
Serendipity: When you create space, unexpected opportunities often appear—connections, ideas, or solutions you wouldn’t have noticed in the daily grind.
Tools & Resources: Make It Easier
Here are some tools and strategies to help you embrace white space:
Digital Declutter: Apps like Freedom or StayFocusd can help you block distractions and reclaim your time.
Simplified Scheduling: Tools like TidyCal make it easy to streamline appointments and protect your downtime.
Ambient Sound Apps: Platforms like Brain.fm provide calming background noise to help you work better, by blending into the background so you can focus distraction-free.
Guided Journals: Try journals like The Five-Minute Journal or Clear Habit Journal to create intentional reflection practices.
How Do You Create White Space in Your Life?
This holiday season, I embraced the power of stepping back—and it brought clarity, creativity, and a renewed sense of purpose. Now, I’m curious about you!
Next Steps
Take a moment today to add some white space to your life. Start small—block off an hour, declutter your to-do list, or rethink one goal to make it more aligned with your needs.
And if you’re looking for more ways to create a lifestyle-driven business that thrives on clarity and simplicity, join me in creating a digital roadmap for 2025
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Remember, you don’t have to do it all or follow the crowd. Taking a step back isn’t a setback—it’s a setup for greater clarity, creativity, and success.
Your business will thank you. And so will you.