​The Power of Release - Making Space for What Matters

Image by Arduinna from Pixabay

This week of school holidays allowed me to slow down, relax, and reconnect with my children in a more carefree, unstructured way. Compared to the busy, often restrictive feelings of term time, it’s been bliss. By setting aside work and focusing on the present moment, I found that the less I planned, the more things started to flow.

Of course, we still had some plans—dental appointments, haircuts, and other necessary activities. But the simple decision not to work and be fully present for those moments, as well as the downtime in between, was liberating.

We had some great talks about life, school, and future plans, along with some nice trips and socializing. Even the more arduous tasks of clearing out clothes and listing old toys for sale deepened my bond with the kids, and I found myself more refreshed than usual.

What struck me even more, though, was the unexpected side effect of this presence. While the week was centered around enjoying time with my kids, I noticed something else happening. Without the pressure of work, I found myself reflecting more deeply on the books I’ve been working on. My partner asked why I chose those topics, and, along with a timely request from a publisher for more details, this seemed to unlock new insights in the condensed time I had available.

This reminded me of something I’ve always known: when we let go of rigid expectations, inspiration flows naturally. Focusing on being present with my children seemed to open space in my mind, allowing connections between my ideas to surface without force. My partner's question and the publisher's email sparked momentum in my projects, showing me that sometimes, the best progress happens when we’re not actively trying.

It brings to mind a powerful lesson I learned during the birth of my second child. I had endured a painful first labour, full of resistance, tension, and an overwhelming urge to control the process. But during the second, with the guidance of a midwife, I learned to release that resistance, to breathe and move in flow with the contractions rather than fighting them. It was in this space of surrender that I discovered the art of allowing—a lesson that extends far beyond childbirth into all aspects of life.

Much like I had been advised to "forget about it, and it will happen" when trying to conceive, the same applies to the creative process. It was only when I stopped forcing and started trusting in my body, in the natural flow of events, that the birth unfolded in a more harmonious way. And so it is with our everyday goals and dreams. When we release our need to control the outcome and let life flow, things start to fall into place in ways we couldn't have planned.

The absence of pressure allowed creativity and clarity to arise, which speaks to:

• The power of letting go of rigid expectations: stepping away from work and focusing on family created space for inspiration to come unexpectedly.
• The link between presence and creativity: being fully present, whether with my children or in moments of ease, helped me see connections in my work that I might have missed when pushing too hard.
• Unexpected momentum: the questions from my partner and the publisher sparked a flow of productivity without forcing it.

This week reminded me of the value of slowing down, savoring the moment, and simply enjoying life. By leaning into the flow, I found clarity, energy, and progress in ways that felt natural rather than forced. Whether it’s labour or creative work, when we stop pushing and start allowing, the results often exceed our expectations.

Talking of which, I must get back to helping the kids list their toys for sale. They've spent the previous two holidays sorting through and grouping things for this moment—a kind of rite of passage as they let go of what no longer serves them, making space for the things they enjoy now. Hopefully, they'll earn a little money to fund their new interests.

As I reflect on this process, it’s a reminder that letting go is part of life's flow. Where in your life might you benefit from letting go in order to allow more flow? Whether it's loosening the grip on plans, expectations, or even possessions, sometimes surrendering control creates the space for something even better to unfold.

If you enjoyed reading this, you may enjoy Be Fluid – How to Go with Your Own Flow, Finding Balance: Making Big Changes Through Small Steps in a Complex Life, From Exhaustion to Empowerment: Healing the Negative Associations of Giving,  and When Life Throws Curveballs... Embrace the Twists and Turns of Parenthood with Confidence. To be the first to receive these posts, you can also opt to subscribe to my blog.