Space Brings Time

Now that I have the space, the time appears.

For a while now I have been decluttering and rearranging my office to allow space to house my ‘creative tools’. I want them on display, front and centre, and with enough surface area that they won’t get swamped by paperwork or digital devices. And, while I still covet an analogue room like the one designer, Bonnie Christine, has created, in the meantime I have opted for easy access alongside the rest of work and life.

One of the uses of this space is ‘mark-making’. I was introduced to the therapeutic and restorative nature of this practice by clinical pscyhologist, artist, and most importantly, friend Mary Ellen Bratu. In her words, “Mark-making is one of the most accessible portals into that enriching alternate universe known as be here now.”

How delightful it is to find myself in need of a break from working on a document, solving today’s problems, or simply the screen before me, and to be able to slide across for some mark-making magic.

As the shapes, lines, blobs, dots, waves and more leave my hand on to the page, I am curious about how time opens up since creating this space.

I’m also curious how you might make space and time for your own restorative practice.