STYLE Savvy: Press Pause

Lisa Hess shares three strategies for creating more time and space in our busy lives and homes for spiritual pursuits.

What did you give up for Lent? Or did you, instead, opt to incorporate something new into your life?  

Over the years, I've done both and, as I've gotten older, I've developed an appreciation for adding in practices that sharpen a particular focus, bringing me more in line with the person I want to be. Often, these practices are spiritual in nature, but sometimes they're not explicitly so but instead create more time for the spiritual pursuits that fall by the wayside when life gets busy. 

Making Room for Peace of Spirit

Organization can be one of those practices. By making our lives less hectic and our spaces less cluttered, we can create a sense of peace, which is valuable in any season. If you're hoping to give up clutter and incorporate a little more peace in the form of an organized life, here are a few (personal) style-specific ways to get started. 

The style: I love stuff 

What to give up: Overbuying. The ubiquitous availability of goods makes it all too easy to buy at the click of a button. And that's the point — which is precisely how we end up with so much stuff. It's so easy and so fast that we don't take a moment to think about whether or not we actually need the thing that's in the cart.  

The solution? Pause. Think. Maybe even walk away from the computer (or, if you're in the store, the thing in question). Sleep on the decision if you can.  

And then, if you still want it/need it/have to have it, go ahead and buy it. Or don't.  

It's up to you. 

The style: I love to be busy. 

What to give up: Overcommitment. For those who love to be busy, it's so easy to say yes to everything. Often curious, helpful, and altruistic, these wonderfully busy folks make sure everything keeps running — except that after a while they stop running. Overwhelmed by exhaustion with no room in their lives for themselves, they burn out. 

The solution? Pause. Squelch the automatic yes and initiate a new default response. "Maybe," "I'll get back to you," and "I'll have to check my calendar" are all legitimate replies. Then, take some time to consider whether — or not — you really want to do the thing, whether or not you really have time to do the thing, and whether or not the thing is worthwhile enough to make up for all the things you won't be able to do if you say yes to the thing.  

And then commit. Or don't.  

It's up to you. 

The style: I need to see it. 

What to give up: Endless piles. Those of us with an I need to see it personal style live in fear that if we put it away, we'll forget to do it. Before long, we have little piles everywhere, the house looks like Hansel and Gretel's road map, and instead of being reminded, we feel as though we're being attacked by our own to-do lists. 

The solution? Pause. Do you really need to put this thing here? Instead of putting it down, can you put it away and add the task it represents to a to-do list? Can you add it to an existing pile or perhaps even do whatever it's reminding you to do now and get it over with?  

And then, if this new pile or additional item needs to go here, put it down. Or don't.  

It's up to you. 

Think small 

Resolutions don't need to be about changing who we are. Small steps can lead to big changes — if that's the direction we want to go — without requiring us to attempt a personality makeover in the process. In addition, small steps can yield incremental successes that inspire us to keep going. And, in the end, one step in the right direction is far better than being stalled at the starting line because we promised ourselves to take a big leap for which we're unprepared, unmotivated or that we plain old just don't wanna. 

In the end, the kind of change you want to make is up to you. May whatever you choose inspire peace. 

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Copyright 2025 Lisa Hess
Images: Canva