🌌 the dirt on…why you need to nurture the nothingness, to value the void
On the principle of Spaciousness and why it’s a prerequisite for change
The Dirt is a free biweekly newsletter for wellness-curious, eclectic, fun, smart humans who love plants, pop culture, and entertaining perspectives.
Hello there, Friend.
We're now a little over two months into the new year, and it's that critical moment when you come to the earth-shattering realization: that goal, that aspiration, that thing you really, really, really were so determined to do, still remains untouched.
Noooooooooo (screams into abyss).
🥖 Perhaps your desire was to become a sourdough bread artisan (my unused starter still sits forlorn, abandoned in my fridge).
🍽️ Perhaps your desire was to plan a decadent themed dinner party that would bring Martha Stewart to her knees (in my defense, I had to postpone because of sickness…and then of course my inability to decide between stuffed mushrooms (too basic?!?) or prosciutto wrapped asparagus (but will it make my guests’ pee stink?!?)).
🍵 Perhaps your desire was to commit to saving a few dollars by brewing your own matcha at home— and finally using that overly expensive, hand-crafted matcha bowl (okay, but maybe I just want to support local businesses instead - I care about my community or something - so sue me).
Whatever your “New year, New Me” goal, perhaps you, like me, find yourself wondering why, yet again, you feel incapable of doing the very thing you most wanted to do.
And, while you may be thinking:
I’m going to tell you right now - it’s most definitely not you, my friend.
You are brilliant. You are capable. And you totally have what it takes to finally start that kitchen countertop herb garden.
The problem is, assuredly, not you.
But, it might be your process…
If you’re anything like any human ever, when you think of making a change, your first thought is action - simply starting what you want to do.
But, in a life already filled to the brim with tasks, chores, or distractions, what you want to do ends up competing with all the things you are already doing.
In nature, we know that this totally doesn’t work. A little baby plant trying to reach it’s brand-knew baby roots into the ground for some precious earth-nutrients will always lose against the big, baddie, established plant roots.
So, expecting our brand new habit or project to out-compete our 3-hour post-work scroll addiction is generally not going to work out in our favor.
Based on this, contrary to popular belief, I think the key to change, growth, or beginning something new is not found in doing more, but in doing less.
Today, we'll dive into the first of many key principles in my ongoing project, 🍄 The Dirtling Principles of Metamorphosis, to explain this concept.
🌌 Principle #1: Spaciousness (or the Theory of the Void)
The Spaciousness principle posits that creating space is the initial (and necessary) step towards instigating effective change.
Why Spaciousness:
Room for the New: Carving out space in our schedules, minds, or physical surroundings creates a vacuum or void that allows for the introduction of new habits, ideas, or items.
Tuning into Wonder: Creating space allows us to tap into our sense of wonder. This sense of wonder is crucial because it fosters hope and aspiration for something better or different. When we have the space to let our minds wander and dream, we can imagine new paths, solutions, or possibilities for our lives that we may not have considered in a cluttered or rushed state.
Gentle Change: Initiating change with space rather than immediate action promotes a more gentle, sustainable form of change. This approach allows us to adjust and adapt gradually, rather than hastily attempting to implement a new habit or routine and risking burnout or resistance. By giving ourselves the grace of space, we can comfortably grow into the change at our own pace.
Understanding Our True Pace: Finally, starting with space helps us tune into our true pace, which may be slower or faster than we initially anticipated. In a society that often values speed and productivity, we can easily lose touch with our natural rhythms. By creating space, we can breathe, slow down, and better understand our own unique pace and rhythm, leading to a more authentic, effective form of change.
It may be counterintuitive, but sometimes, the best way to move forward is to 🛑 stop and 🌌 create space.
🔭 Imagine it.
You don’t need to fight your calendar, your to-do list, or your body.
You don’t need to rely on elusive, fitbro willpower.
You don’t need to fully-constipated-push yourself into new states of being.
Instead, you have room for new habits to flourish based on your own gentle, sustainable flow.
You honor your innate rhythm, leading to a more authentic, gentle and effective form of change.
This is the power of Spaciousness - a life where change doesn’t ☄️ crash-and-smash through, but ✨ unfolds.🐛🦋
🌌 So, what does it look like to lean into the principle of Spaciousness?
It looks like nurturing your black holes, fostering your abyss of darkness, multiplying your holes of nothingness.
Or, to put it more simply, it's about carving out spaces of emptiness in our day-to-day lives.
The process?
Identify what you want to do/add. (finally make homemade matcha)
Identify how much time you want for this practice. (15 minutes)
Carve out the space you need for it without adding the practice or anything to it. (15 minutes in morning after showering)
Spend some time in that empty space for a bit. (15 minutes of straight chilling post-shower)
Once you have the practice of space down, add the new practice to that space. (15 minutes of matcha-making)
Need some ideas? Here’s a couple of ways I began the practice of carving out more spaciousness this year:
No email until 9:30 am. (created room eventually for meditation, reading, cooking, exercise in am)
No email after work day ends. (created room for more baths, self-massage, and sleep)
Wishing you a week of less.
Ciao bella, Andie
The R.E.P.O.R.T.
an eclectic wellness-adjacent roundup of what’s good on the web
Instead of just waiting for rest to DM us, why not meet it head-on? Pinpoint what "rest" looks like for you. Once you’ve got your version of rest characterised, you’re more likely to create space for it and actively pursue it.
📖 READ Burn out, Creativity and Rest
Valentine’s Day may be over but my love for chocolate is not. This adaptogenic chocolate recipe has skipped the line and landed squarely atop my culinary to-do list.
🥡 EAT Reishi Rose Chocolate Bark
The unlikely duo of Star Wars and Headspace have teamed up in an intergalactic mindfulness series that even Yoda didn't see coming. In this four-part series, Chewbacca and BB-8 are not just battling the dark side, but also their stress levels (because galaxy surfing is not as chill as it sounds). Equipped with mindfulness exercises, they show us how how to find our inner force.
📺 PLAY Find Your Force with Star Wars and Headspace
SCENE: On the road, windows down, music blasting over your stereo system, your hands carve patterns in the air as you gaze out into the horizon, rock formations, trees, grasses blazing past you in a blur of light and color (aka a playlist for the next time you want to get overtaken by the moment).
💿 ON REPEAT D&B’s Mixtape #04 - The Wistful Wanderer
Take some spaciousness inspo from the OG void. Embark on your own Space Odyssey with this virtual tour that transports you from the Sun to the edges of the galaxy.
🌟 RECOMMEND 100,000 Stars
Free up some mental real estate and check out my free User Manual (Notion dashboard) for tracking what your bod needs to thrive. From symptom to supplement trackers, it’s a digital dashboard to ease the brain-burden for all you chronic illness cuties.
⚙️ TOOLS A Guide to the You-niverse: A Wellness Portal to You (Notion Dashboard)
“All forms of becoming require spaciousness in one way or another; mental space that allows the mind to expand, emotional space for feeling to flower, and physical space in which to move.”
- Dana Hutton
Work with Me:
🌿 Learn More About 1-on-1 Functional Nutrition + Herbal Coaching
Try this Visual Vibe on for Size:
Weirdly Relatable Closing Thought:
🌐 Say hi online!
🏡 Drop by Our Digital Home (aka website)
🕸️ Hang out in the Social Sphere
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or medical provider. The information provided in this document is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any decisions regarding your health.