5 Truths About Space and Personal Growth You Need to Know

Recently, I took six weeks off work to travel around India and immerse myself in the rich culture of this beautiful country. During this precious time, I completely signed off from work—no client calls, practically no social media, no to-do lists, no objectives. Just me, my suitcase, and my journey.

I think it’s fair to say the last time I had this much free time was in childhood. But having this time for myself, with no one telling me what to do, where to go, or when to be back—that was an entirely different ball game.

Ironically, carving out the time off wasn’t the hardest part. The real challenge was breaking the stereotypes I grew up with and allowing myself to not work for six weeks—without guilt. I never travelled as a young person; that kind of life felt out of reach. I grew up watching my parents work tirelessly to provide for me and my brother, and in turn, I unconsciously wrote the same story for myself, imposing countless limitations on how I saw my place in the world. Rest was a rare luxury in our house, and back then, no one taught me how to truly relax or what space could do for me.

This is why I see my burnout as a blessing—because it taught me one of the most important lessons in life: how to create space for myself and why it is so crucial. But burnout alone didn’t do that—I was very lucky to have the unwavering support of my wonderful partner, who literally spoon-fed me relaxation skills. Without him, I’d still be figuring a lot of things out—A strong reminder of the vital role our close network plays during challenging times.

Space brings wisdom, flexibility, and freedom. It creates opportunities for discernment. Without it, we risk becoming slaves to a system that bombards us with constant information. Without space, there is no maturity.

I learned this through burnout. Looking back, I see how little space I had in my 20s and early 30s. While burning out was the hardest thing I’ve ever faced, it was also one of the greatest gifts I was given—the gift of slowing down. And let me assure you, life hasn’t been the same since. I haven’t been the same since.

Initially, I suffered immensely. But now, I honour that suffering—it has been my greatest teacher. Now I realise that what really suffered was my ego. My soul was crying for peace, harmony, and SPACE! The journey from then to now took four years: two years of heartbreaking struggle and two years of integrating the lessons from that struggle into my life. And space played a crucial role. If I hadn’t allowed myself space, I wouldn’t have reached the realisations that transformed me. I wouldn’t be here writing this—I’d still be in denial, unable to take full responsibility for my life.

Now, I operate from a completely different mindset. I fully accept what happened and why, and I recognise that my lessons were lived experiences—not just insights from books or someone else’s story. The time I spent rebuilding myself was truly precious. I was given a chance to be reborn, to rewrite my story. And I share this because there are so many misconceptions about happiness and suffering. Now, I know both are choices—conscious choices we make every day. But we can only make better choices when we create sufficient space. And we shouldn’t feel guilty about it—we all need room to grow. After all, we know what happens to a plant that doesn’t have enough space—its potential for growth is greatly diminished.

How Can Space Benefit You?

✅ Space allows us to integrate life lessons. Simply absorbing knowledge isn’t enough. Space creates the conditions where wisdom can take root and mature within us.

✅ Space improves decision-making. How many of us struggle with decisions these days? It’s not just decision paralysis caused by too many options. In my corporate career, I saw both rushed decisions and chronic indecision—and both were largely driven by the same issue: limited space.

✅ Space replenishes our energy. Yoga teaches that life is vibration powered by energy, and to live with well-being, we must master our energy. Creating space allows us to do exactly that, and we shouldn’t feel guilty for it.

✅ Space sharpens our awareness. It teaches us how to observe ourselves and our surroundings, catching the little nuances we miss when we rush through life. Often, these nuances hold the answers we seek.

✅ Space allows us to grow. And isn’t growth the ultimate goal of existence—to expand, to thrive?

How to Create More Space in Your Life

✨ Make time just for yourself. Trust me, nothing rejuvenates the soul like time spent simply being—no talking, no thinking, no chores. Just presence.

✨ Meditate. There is no better practice for self-exploration. Meditation is, by far, the most effective way to cultivate inner space.

✨ Spend time in nature. Go outside as much as you can—hug trees, climb trees, listen to the birds sing. Just be with nature and let its wisdom flow through you. Space will automatically enter your life.

Since 2022, I’ve been practising Vipassana meditation, and it has been a profound teacher. Most importantly, it has shown me what it really means to have space. Vipassana centres are located all around the world. If you’re curious about this form of self-exploration, you can learn more at www.dhamma.org.

In today’s world, the ability to create space is a forgotten practice—yet just two generations ago, it was still the norm. People would sit on a bench, doing nothing, thinking nothing, just breathing in complete silence. Today, we’d call it “meditating with eyes open.” Yet now, we have to remind ourselves to reintroduce this natural state into our lives. And we must—because it is essential for our growth and well-being.

As a holistic wellness coach, I work one-on-one with clients and run workshops on holistic well-being, helping individuals overcome burnout, build resilience, and create a life filled with joy and fulfilment. You can apply to work with me below.

And if there’s one lesson I could pass on, it’s this: Make space. It will change everything.