We live in a world that celebrates full calendars like trophies.

Back-to-back meetings, task lists that spill into the margins, and the pressure to be endlessly productive have become the norm. And let’s be real—there’s a certain pride in being busy. It makes us feel needed, valuable, maybe even important.

But somewhere along the way, many of us started confusing movement with meaning. And it’s not entirely our fault. We’re swimming in a culture that equates busyness with worth. We’re often isolated from others who might challenge our pace. And we respond—out of habit or out of fear—by cramming more in.

It’s time to rewrite that story.

What If We Got Better at Putting Nothing in Our Calendars?

Not “nothing” as in laziness or disconnection—but “nothing” as in open space. A deliberate pause. A window of time for rest, recalibration, or deep focus on what truly matters.

Imagine if we gave ourselves permission to block off time with no agenda beyond reflection. Or stillness. Or catching our breath. Or even writing, journaling, praying, dreaming—whatever brings us back to ourselves.

When we do that, we make room for clarity. And clarity helps us live from the inside out, instead of the outside in.

Why We Can’t Do This Alone

Let’s talk about isolation.

Many of us have tried to figure out life, priorities, and even purpose… in isolation. And while solitude can sometimes help us grow, it can also distort. We might grow like weeds—technically still growing, yes—but without direction, without purpose, and without nourishment.

We’ve all been there: so disconnected for so long that when we finally find ourselves around people again, we either latch on too tightly or push them away. That’s not weakness. That’s a sign that we’re undernourished socially and emotionally.

We’re meant to grow in connection—with people who remind us of our values, who reflect back to us what’s good, and who ask the questions that get us back to What Matters.

Calendars Should Reflect What Matters

If we let them, our calendars can become more than time trackers. They can become mirrors. Mirrors of our values, our vision, and what we hold sacred.

At Tellegacy, we often talk about “What Matters” as part of the Age-Friendly Health System framework. But this concept isn’t just for older adults. It’s for all of us—at every age and every stage.

When we plan our time around what truly matters, we aren’t just organizing our days—we’re aligning our lives. In fact, research shows that those who live with a sense of purpose and alignment tend to experience healthier aging and greater longevity.

The earlier we begin practicing this, the better equipped we are to live lives filled with meaning—and to model that kind of living for others.

So How Do We Start?

This isn’t about throwing our planners away or canceling everything. It’s about making space—with intention.

Here are a few gentle practices we’ve found helpful:

  • Block Time for Nothing
    That’s right. Literally schedule blank space. Label it “Nothing” if you want. Use that time to sit still, go for a walk, write a letter, or simply listen—to what we’ve been too busy to hear.
  • Ask Ourselves Weekly: “Did I Make Time for What Matters?”
    One question. Simple. Transformative. And it helps bring us back to center.
  • Let Go of the Need to Fill Every Space
    Every hour doesn’t need to be optimized. Every moment doesn’t need to be monetized. Some moments are sacred because they are slow.
  • Connect with People Who Nourish Us
    We all have people in our lives who leave us feeling more whole. Let’s make space for them. Let’s show up for each other, even if just to sit together in the quiet.
  • Choose Alignment Over Achievement
    Let’s stop measuring our lives by how much we got done and start asking how much we lived aligned with what we value.

Why This Matters to Us at Tellegacy

We believe that intergenerational connection, legacy-building, and purposeful living aren’t just ideas. They’re essential ingredients for a life well-lived.

We’re here to remind each other that legacy isn’t just something we leave behind—it’s something we live into, day by day.

Rest is not wasted time. Reflection is not indulgent. And creating space to recalibrate is one of the most life-affirming decisions we can make.

When we leave blank space on our calendars, we make room for meaning to enter. And when we do that together, we become more connected, more grounded, and more alive.

Let’s Redesign Our Rhythms

We don’t need to earn our rest. We don’t need to apologize for taking time to reflect. We do need to support each other in building lives that reflect what we care about most.

So maybe this is our invitation—to each other, and to ourselves:

Let’s normalize putting nothing on the calendar.
Let’s give ourselves permission to pause.
Let’s make space for What Matters.

And in that space, let’s reconnect—with ourselves, with each other, and with the kind of life we actually want to live.

Want to stay connected as we keep exploring What Matters together?
We’d love for you to join the conversation:

📩 Subscribe to the Tellegacy newsletter
📣 Invite Dr. Holloway to speak at your next gathering
🌱 Learn more about our intergenerational programs and how to get involved

Let’s make space, together.