The Universe abhors a vacuum.

“The Universe abhors a vacuum” is a contemporary translation of the concept of Horror Vacui (latin). Horror Vacui was first theorized by Aristotle. The theory explains that nature does not tolerate a vacuum (empty space) and that when empty space appears in nature, matter rushes to fill it. Deep space is the closest thing to a true vacuum that exists naturally, but even in deep space some atoms exist. Because we live in a mathematically fractal Universe, what is true on a macro scale is true on the micro scale. Not only does nature abhor a vacuum, humans abhor one as well. Silence, boredom, darkness all feel deeply uncomfortable for most people.

Only the people who understand how to collaborate with the void understand the beauty and power of liminal space.

When we want to create a change in our lives, we must first give the change the space to come in. If we want to change our habits, we first have to cease participating in the habits that are detrimental to us. If we want to find our purpose we must stop doing everything that we know is not our purpose. To manifest anything in life, there has to be a void for the manifestations to come in through. 

Creating an Intentional Void

When you can feel that any aspect of your reality is not fitting you just right, whether it is your job or friends or hobbies or diet, there comes a point where you can keep going along with it or you can change it. Whatever you do not change, you choose.  You can continue to spend time and energy in spaces that are comfortable but not ideal, or you can create an intentional void.

The intentional void is the pause.

It is not making a hard and fast decision; it is pausing to look at how all of the space in your life is currently being filled.

Space = time. There is only a certain amount of time that we get in our life. How we spend this time is how we create our lives. Free time is not a gift that anyone simply is granted. If you don't intentionally create free time, it will get eaten up by other people because, again, nature abhors a vacuum. To create the intentional void we start by saying “no” to more things. Instead of being booked and busy all weekend and every evening with lunches, dinners and random dates that you aren't even excited about, create free space in your schedule. This action is carving out an intentional void. And it’s not like you aren't doing anything! When you carve out intentional void time, block it out in your schedule as a work meeting! Because it is work- deep soul purpose work! It is work that is returning you to yourself! It is more important work than anything else in the world if you ask me. 

This is the time that allows you to sit in stillness, in your body, and ask yourself what truly makes you happy. What truly sounds fun to you? What kind of life do you truly want to live? Where do you want to spend time? Yes, living in the void definitely feels like boredom at times, but we work with this boredom.

Isn’t it kind of lovely when we feel like life is moving slowly for once?

Let’s say you have no plans this Friday because you carved out some intentional void time. That is a win already. Now you can ask yourself, what does my body really want and/or need right now? If you are exhausted or maybe in your luteal phase your body might just want rest. Maybe ordering some take out and watching a movie is exactly what your soul is craving- honor that. Maybe you are excited about a new book you want to read. Or want to catch up on your favorite show. If nothing sounds fun, rest and do nothing and let yourself be bored, because pretty soon you will feel the impulse to do something. Follow that impulse. Big breakthroughs don't happen in shocking, huge moments. They come from one small intuitive hit at a time. Maybe you need to journal about all the crazy shit that's been happening lately. Or maybe you need to have a huge, emotional word vomit into your journal and let yourself feel all of the feelings that you've been running away from. Wherever you are right now is exactly where God/ the Universe wants to meet you to guide you. It is by constantly distracting ourselves that we miss the communication with God. Only from the void can anything be created. In terms of creation, the void is the womb. The space necessary to create a new life.

The void is nothing to be scared of. It is right where you will be standing when everything falls into place.