Psychologies Magazine No.95 Create space in your life Zurück Ausgabe

This month, we’re inviting you to create some space in your life. The summer holidays can be a perfect time to kickback, recap and recoup – be it a week away visiting friends (read the fabulous piece by Rosalynn Try- Hane on page 48 on how a visit to America allowed her the space to make a giant geographical and career leap), or, if you’re feeling brave, take o on a journey with Jessica Jones, whose trip home to Australia brought heartbreak but, ultimately, self-acceptance (see page 72). If you’re anything like me, you may also fi nd yourself resisting stepping into a quieter space. Why? Because creating space allows me to ponder big decisions and think about new possibilities – and with that comes fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of travelling out of my comfort zone and getting lost, fear of loss. Busyness and being overwhelmed can stop us feeling fear or distract us from it. When we create space, we must be willing to feel new emotions and they’re not always positive. I was comforted by our big conversation with the brilliant Julie Delpy and her best friend Alexia Landeau. Both women admit to struggling with getting the balance right – of being mothers, lovers, writers and actors – and the fears of loss that lurk even in a gilded room in Hollywood. So yes, let’s create some space this month but also be gentle with ourselves. Be aware that fear of the next step, fear of change, fear of hearing an answer that you may have to do something about, may keep you glued to your smartphone even while on your deckchair. So perhaps tuck one of our inspirational books in your bag, too? On page 76, the Psychologies team share the books that have changed our lives – books that helped us learn everything from self-acceptance to self-respect. As you adjust your thinking, consider rewriting your story. Rebecca Solnit writes with penetrating insight about how the way we tell our story to ourselves and others can transform, as well as destroy, our lives (see page 86).