Busyness shouldn’t be a competition. We shouldn’t be comparing busy lifestyles to others and granting mental awards to people who have the fullest self-imposed plates. 

There are times when life spirals and busy seasons peak, but if you’re choosing to constantly live full speed with a packed calendar, reassess the season you’re in and the value of the items on your calendar. Is there something you can take off to create more margin in life?

What is Margin?

Margin is like breathing room. It’s time that isn’t scheduled for an activity and allows you to do what you need or want that either refreshes you or helps you stay on track. 

For example, if you have margin, you might use that extra time to read a book and enjoy a cup of coffee. Or, if you have margin, you might spontaneously invite a friend to go on a walk with you. Perhaps your family is just getting over a sickness so margin allows you extra time to clean and reorganize upturned schedules post sickness. 

Margin is space in your schedule that allows you to relax, be spontaneous, or recover from a mishap.

Tips to Create Margin:

Learn to Say “No”

You can’t build margin and do everything all the time. Take the time to craft a life vision and use the life vision as a sifter when presented with opportunities. Say “yes” to things that matter and unapologetically give up the things that detract from who you want to be and where you want to go.

Wake Up Earlier

Even just waking up 15 minutes earlier can give you extra time to relax and enjoy coffee, read a book, watch a sunrise, or get to work without feeling rushed. If there’s something you like to do in complete silence, waking up earlier than others in your household can give you introvert time to either refuel your introvert cup or knock out a task that you prefer to do with a fresh mindset.

Think about how you operate best and add a matching amount of time to your morning routine if this is a helpful way to add margin.

Create Buffer Between Activities

Rushing around can increase the likelihood of being late, making mistakes, getting burned out, and feeling anxious and irritated. When possible, create a buffer between activities to refocus and have time to be on time.

Schedule Downtime

Block off time to stay at home and set aside small amounts of time to do something that helps you recharge. A friend who owns a business, has a young family, and is involved with church told me she writes down “stay at home” days for certain evenings and weekend days each month. Sometimes things come up to interrupt those plans, but she finds it helpful to guard that time at home with her family. You can be successful, support loved ones, and guard your time for margin.

Know Your Limits and Set Relevant Boundaries

When it comes to creating margin, the placement and length of the time needed isn’t the same for everyone. Know your personality, season of life, and strengths and weaknesses. Plan with these factors in mind and try to not compare your lifestyle with others. Life shouldn’t be a busyness game.

Receive Help

Lean on your support system. It’s not a sign of weakness to ask others to help you with tasks. If someone in your support system offers to help and you need it, take them up on the offer. Doing so will likely spark gratitude in the giver and receiver and create more margin for you.

Read More Brené Brown.

Limit Social Media

Too much social media can negatively impact us: disrupting sleep, limiting attention spans, and adding social pressure. Each of these negative impacts harms the ability to create margin or enjoy it. Instead of scrolling during downtime, pick another activity to accomplish. 

Learn more about the value in limiting social media.

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