When space feels uncomfortable

Read time: 2 minutes

I want to share something I’ve been thinking about lately.

It comes up often after people declutter—sometimes after clearing a room, sometimes after letting go of a commitment, a role, or a season of life.

They finally create some space.

And instead of feeling immediate relief… something feels off.

Not wrong.
Just unfamiliar.

Almost like an uneasiness they didn’t expect.

At first, it’s easy to assume that feeling means something is missing.

That the space needs to be filled.

That the emptiness is a problem.

But I don’t think that’s what’s actually happening.

Here’s a way I like to think about it.

Imagine your life as a circle.

Inside that circle is you—and all the clutter that’s been taking up space. Not just physical stuff, but mental noise, emotional weight, obligations, expectations, and identities you’ve been carrying.

That full circle represents the cluttered version of you.

Outside the circle, floating just beyond it, are the things that matter to you.

Your values.
Your interests.

The things that bring energy, meaning, and joy.

They’ve been there the whole time—waiting.

Waiting for space.
Waiting to be invited in.
Waiting to be chosen.

When you declutter, the circle changes.

The noise quiets.

The weight lifts.

And suddenly… there’s room.

That’s often the moment people feel uneasy.

Because for the first time, the circle isn’t being filled for them.

And here’s the part I don’t think we talk about enough:

Creating space doesn’t leave you with nothing; it hands you the choice.

That’s what can feel uncomfortable.

When the clutter was there, it decided a lot for you.

What stayed.
What mattered.
What got your time and energy.

But once it’s gone, there’s no default anymore.

Choice steps in.

And almost immediately, something rushes to fill that space.

What you should want.
What would look productive.
What makes sense based on who you’ve been.

The “shoulds” are quick.

They’re familiar.

They feel safe.

But they’re not always true.

This is where the real invitation of space lives.

Instead of asking, “What should I put here?”

Try asking, “What do I actually want?”

Not what’s impressive.
Not what’s expected.
Not what fits your old identity.

Just—what you want.

Often, that answer is your values speaking without interruption.

And you don’t need to rush this part.

The space isn’t a void to fix.
It’s room to listen.

Room to reach outside the circle and gently invite something in—on purpose.

So if things feel a little strange right now…
If the space feels unfamiliar…
If you’re unsure what comes next…

Nothing has gone wrong.

You’ve simply arrived at the moment where choice replaces clutter.

And that’s not a lack.

That’s the beginning of living in alignment.

I’ll leave you with this:

What’s been waiting outside your circle that you haven’t let yourself choose yet?

See you next Sunday, my friend.