Consider what you want to make space for in your life in this 6-minute contemplation guided by Alex Elle.



How to Do This Practice:


Take a few deep breaths. File up your belly on each inhale. Drop your shoulder and soften your body on each exhale.
Say these eight phrases to yourself, or your own variation of them. Consider which resonates with you the most:


a. “In the presence of fear, I will make space for courage.”

b. “In the presence of self-doubt, I will make space for self-belief.”

c. “In the presence of hurriedness, I will make space for slowing down.”

d. “In the presence of overwhelm, I will make space for rest.”

e. “In the presence of overthinking, I will make space for letting go.”

f. “In the presence of chaos, I will make space for inner peace.”

g. “In the presence of confusion, I will make space for clarity.”

h. “In the presence of pain, I will make space for self-compassion.”


Bring your attention to the line from this meditation that resonates with you the most. Think about all the ways you wish to make space so you can bloom into the best version of yourself.
Write it down, perhaps on a sticky note, and keep it somewhere you can see it.




Today’s Happiness Break host:

Alex Elle is a breathwork coach, author and restorative writing teacher. Her new book, How We Heal, will be published this November. Keep an eye on our Instagram page, @greatergoodmag for a chance to win a copy.

Learn more about Alex and her new book: https://www.alexelle.com/about

Follow Alex on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alex/

Follow Alex on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@easewithalexl

Follow Alex on Twitter: https://twitter.com/alex__elle

Follow Alex on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlexElleFB



More resources from The Greater Good Science Center:


Listen to another Happiness Break podcast hosted by Alex: A Note to Self on Forgiveness
Being Kinder to Yourself: https://tinyurl.com/yxu64duk
Can Self-Awareness Help You Be More Empathic?: https://tinyurl.com/bjue72bn
How to Bring Self-Compassion to Work with You: https://tinyurl.com/2xn4f3pk
Can Self-Compassion Overcome Procrastination?: https://tinyurl.com/ytvxmp5d
Does Self-Compassion Make You Selfish?: https://tinyurl.com/528h6h6x




We love hearing from you! Tell us about your experience of making space for yourself. Email us at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or use the hashtag #happinesspod.

Find us on Apple Podcast: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aap

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We're living through a mental health crisis. Between the stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness, burnout — we all could use a break to feel better. That's where Happiness Break comes in. In each biweekly podcast episode, instructors guide you through research-backed practices and meditations that you can do in real-time. These relaxing and uplifting practices have been shown in a lab to help you cultivate calm, compassion, connection, mindfulness, and more — what the latest science says will directly support your well-being. All in less than ten minutes. A little break in your day