the art of holding space

  Just like the principles of Feng Shui help clear the flow of energy through our physical surroundings, we can allow for clearer energy and deeper presence to move through the spaces we hold — in our activities, our time with others, our conversations, and even our moments alone. The act of holding space is an act of conscious creation,

This concept comes deeply from the symbolism of Feng Shui and Japanese minimalism. When our homes are stuffed and disorganized, the energy becomes chaotic. Items deteriorate, become inaccessible, and create stress. In contrast, a space with clear surfaces, intentional organization, and openness creates calmness, efficiency, and creativity. This is true not only in our homes, but in how we shape every aspect of life.

In relationships, holding space means creating time, energy, and presence with those we love. Think of planning an afternoon at the lake with your kids: the more consciously you prepare, the more space you create for joy. You involve the kids in the planning, you budget, organize, and intentionally show up with presence. It becomes a rich experience because you set the stage well. Just like a well-run theater production, everything from the lighting crew to the props is flowing in harmony, allowing the performance to shine.

The same applies to simple meetups with friends. You can show up flustered and distracted, or you can arrive early, think about what your friend might need, bring a small thoughtful gift, and offer your full attention. That one act of conscious presence transforms the quality of connection.

In our activities — whether it's cooking, painting, administrative work, or caregiving — the same principle applies. Taking a few moments to plan and organize brings mental clarity and emotional spaciousness. You create a container where your presence can flow, rather than being interrupted by chaos. Nurses, artists, chefs, and sailors all understand this: when the environment is prepared, the storm or creative act can be handled with grace. The phrase "ship shape" comes from the sailing world because everything on a ship must be efficiently stored and accessed. That level of readiness allows the crew to hold steady during storms or war.

So what does it mean to hold space? First, it means creating the right platform. Second, it means maintaining it with maturity and inner steadiness. Life will not follow your script — there will be chaos, emotion, setbacks, and storms. But the person who holds space isn't reacting to every gust of wind. They're adjusting the sails with quiet authority. They're the backstage manager who keeps the performance going, even if the props fall or the lines are forgotten.

You don't need military precision in your home, but a bit of that discipline in mindset helps create peace. You hold your emotional energy steady when your teenagers are emotional, your partner is upset, or your coworkers are frazzled. You organize your desk space, your tools, your thoughts, your mood. You create the space, and then you hold it.

This is what it means to grow into maturity. You don't just respond to life. You prepare for it. You create a calm container and you hold your presence when the chaos comes. You become a steady presence for others. You influence the culture and emotional tone around you. And in doing so, you move from being at the mercy of life to being the quiet director of it.

Go forth: create space, hold space, and be the calm and organized captain of your own ship.