Finding room to breathe, to feel, and to let go can be difficult to find in life, and at the same time, it can unfold in smaller ways than you may think. A small space to let out a breath you’ve been holding doesn’t need everything else to stop before you notice it and before it can matter. It might be small, but it is not insignificant, and it can provide the clarity and recharge you need to return your focus to what matters.
A gentle space is a moment of calm amidst the chaos, and it’s even something you can happen to find, even if it’s only for a moment.
Consider this: happening to find a gentle space is:
Happening to notice the sound of leaves rustling,
Noticing the oddly soothing rhythmic hum of the washing machine in the distance,
Observing a tiny new leaf on the houseplant that wasn’t there before,
Watching iridescent swirls in the soap bubbles,
Witnessing steam rising from the coffee mug that dances in the sunlight, swirling and fading.
These little spaces, these little moments, can also be accumulative, meaning they build upon each other to create a more profound sense of peace and clarity.
It’s in these moments that things stop, perhaps even for a millisecond, but it’s a millisecond that still matters. A millisecond could be seen as a little space all on its own, too. Finding gentle spaces where things slow down and we begin to notice what is packed with dashes of joy, small changes in perspectives of ordinary moments, and flickers of sunlight isn’t about escaping reality, but about recognizing the need to pause so we can actually return to what we need or desire to do, rested and with clarity.
Look for subtle gentle resets, even when you are just moving through the day. Seek them out in small ways. How can gentle moments provide room for ongoing discovery, even when it comes to something you’d like to feel, such as joy, comfort, and calm? What small things might support a healing journey in ways you’ve yet to realize? You are allowed to seek out these small gentle spaces in everyday life.
Here’s to moving toward these harder-to-notice resets, not as an escape from life, but as a way to return to it.
Morgan Harper Nichols
