Before You Add Something New, Make Space for It
Last week, my friend Jamie and I hosted a Cabi clothing party at my house, and it was a blast!
I made brunch-y food, kicked the guys out of the house, and spent the afternoon playing dress-up with a group of women who were more than happy to tell each other what looked fabulous… and what absolutely did not. 😂
There was plenty of laughing, trying on clothes, and the occasional, “Oh, you HAVE to get that!”
But when it was time to decide what I actually wanted to purchase, I had some thinking to do.
You see, I have a rule for myself when it comes to buying clothes:
Whenever I bring something new into my closet, I have to let go of at least one thing it can replace.
That might mean getting rid of a shirt that doesn't fit quite right anymore, a pair of pants I never reach for, or something I bought because I loved it in the store but never actually feel good wearing.
It forces me to be a little more intentional about what I buy. Ideally I don't end up with an overflowing closet full of things I don't wear, and I also make room for things that fit my body and my life - now.
And as I thought about it, I realized something…
What if we applied that same rule to the rest of our lives?
There’s a problem with always adding more.
We live in a world that seems to reward us for doing more, being more productive, squeezing one more thing into the calendar, and constantly looking for ways to improve ourselves.
So we sign up for another commitment.
Add another project to our workload.
Start a new healthy habit.
Agree to help someone out.
Download another app to organize all the things we're already struggling to keep organized...
And somehow, we expect all of it to fit into the same 24 hours.
Sound familiar?
The problem isn't necessarily that any one of those things is bad. Many of them are wonderful opportunities, things we genuinely want to do, or habits that support our health.
The problem is that we keep adding and adding to our lives without making space for what we've added.
Eventually, something has to give.
And often:
It's our energy
Our patience
Our sleep
Or the time we need to take care of ourselves.
And then we wonder why we're exhausted, overwhelmed, and struggling to keep up.
So here’s a few places to try applying the “make space” rule
Your schedule and commitments
Before saying yes to another project, volunteer opportunity, or social engagement, take a look at your calendar. Is there something you can complete first, delegate, or let go of to make space?
Sometimes the best answer isn't figuring out how to squeeze it all in. It's deciding what matters most.
Your kitchen and your to-do list
Before heading to the grocery store, take stock of what's already in your fridge and pantry. Use what you have before bringing in more.
The same goes for your inbox or work tasks. Before opening another email or starting another project, ask yourself what can be completed, delegated, or is no longer relevant, and thus be deleted and taken off your list.
Your travel and downtime
Planning a vacation? You don't have to see every attraction, visit every restaurant, and fill every minute to make it a great trip. Leave some breathing room.
The same goes for your weekends. If every hour is scheduled, when do you get to relax, be spontaneous, or simply enjoy where you are?
Your workouts and recovery
This one comes up more often than you might think in my work with clients.
I meet plenty of women who are already doing strength training, Pilates, HIIT, long walks, and more. They're putting in the effort, trying to do all the right things, and wondering why they're still exhausted or not seeing the results they want.
But more exercise isn't always better. Your body needs recovery to make changes, and too much intensity without enough rest can leave you feeling depleted rather than stronger.
If you're stacking hard workouts on top of a busy life, take a look at your week. Are you making room for mobility, adequate sleep, and recovery? Are you allowing your body to adapt to the work you're asking it to do?
Sometimes, supporting your health means adding a restorative activity. And sometimes, it means removing a workout so your body has the opportunity to recover.
You don't get extra credit for running yourself into the ground!
Making space is a form of self-care.
Here's what I want you to remember: making space isn't about doing less just for the sake of doing less.
It's about being intentional with your time, energy, and resources so they can support the life you actually want to live.
It's setting boundaries before you reach the point of burnout.
It's recognizing that your needs matter, too.
It's understanding that you can't keep pouring into everything and everyone else if you're leaving nothing for yourself.
This is also why I included the “Align & Stabilize Framework" as part of my online coaching program. It's where we look at the bigger picture - your habits, priorities, boundaries, and the ways your daily choices either support your wellbeing or work against it.
Because lasting change isn't just about learning what to do. It's about creating a life in which those healthy choices can actually fit.
So now… its your turn: What needs a little breathing room?
This week, I invite you to try my closet rule somewhere in your own life.
Before you add something new, ask yourself:
What can I release, simplify, delegate, or replace to make space for this?
Maybe it's a commitment you no longer have the energy for.
Maybe it's a workout your body doesn't need right now.
Maybe it's a task you've been carrying that someone else could handle.
Or maybe it's simply giving yourself permission to leave a little open space in your day.
You don't have to overhaul your entire life. Just start with one thing.
You might be surprised by how much lighter life feels when you stop trying to fit everything in.
Here's to making space for what matters!
Keep Shining,
Kim 💛
P.S. If this is something you find yourself struggling with, it's exactly the kind of work we explore in the Align & Stabilize portion of my online program - because your wellbeing deserves a place in your life, not just another spot on your to-do list!
