Creating White Space: Why Doing Less Can Move You Further

If your to-do list had a heartbeat, it would probably sound like a hummingbird… fast, relentless, and ready to crash at any second.

As multi-passionate professionals, we thrive on ideas, creativity, and purpose, but we also have a habit of filling every inch of our schedule. We treat open time like a mistake instead of a necessity. And that’s where we start losing traction.

White space isn’t wasted time. It’s the margin that helps your mind breathe, your creativity flourish, and your energy reset.

The Myth of “More”

Somewhere along the line, we learned that productivity equals worth, that doing more means being more valuable. The truth though is that you can’t sprint through a marathon and expect to enjoy the view.

Doing less isn’t laziness, it’s actually leadership. It’s choosing intention over chaos, strategy over speed, and meaning over momentum for momentum’s sake.

The Power of White Space

Think of white space like punctuation. Without it, your life becomes one giant run-on sentence with no pause, no rhythm, no chance to catch your breath.

White space gives your ideas room to land and your nervous system a chance to reset. It’s where creativity sneaks back in. It’s that quiet moment in the shower when your next big idea suddenly clicks. It’s the walk you almost skipped that leads to a breakthrough thought.

Without it, you’re just reacting instead of creating.

How to Build It In

Here’s a simple way to start:

1. Schedule blank time on purpose.
Literally block “white space” on your calendar. Treat it like a meeting with your future self.

2. Stop rewarding constant motion.
Busy isn’t a badge of honor. It’s often a sign of burnout wearing lipstick.

3. Protect the pause.
If someone asks for your time, check your energy first. If it costs your peace, it’s too expensive.

A Personal Shift

When I first started building my business, I used to book over every bit of white space on my calendar. I told myself that if I just scheduled more (more clients, more projects, more calls), I’d get further, faster.

Instead, I found myself running on empty, ALL THE TIME. Without downtime, I didn’t have the capacity to create or build. By the end of each day, I was shutting down from pure fatigue, and the next day always felt heavier than the last. I lost my gusto and I found myself less motivated to work on my business.

Once I started taking intentional breaks and protecting time off, everything shifted. I felt more awake, more alert, and actually energized to do the work I love, NOT JUST PUSH THROUGH IT. (No one wants to just “push through” work as that’s not enjoyable, at least not to me!)

Your Invitation

This week, look at your calendar and find one spot, just one, to leave open. No tasks, no meetings, no “catching up.” Let it be your white space. Notice what shifts when you stop filling every gap.

Ready to Create Space That Feeds Your Growth?

✨ Book a Clarity & Strategy Call to design a schedule that supports your creativity and calm.
✨ Explore my on-demand courses to help you protect your time, refocus your priorities, and move from overwhelmed to aligned.

Remember: you don’t need to do more to get ahead. Sometimes the best way forward… is to pause. 🌿