Snickerdoodle Says: Making Space

Hello, wonderful hoomans. It’s Snickerdoodle here again, Chief Wellness Officer, professional tail-wagger, and strong believer in last week’s theme: self-love.

Now, if you read last week’s blog, you might remember that I shared a little wisdom about being kind to yourself, especially when you mess up. Trust me, I know a thing or two about mistakes. I’ve definitely chased a squirrel when I was supposed to be demonstrating “excellent listening skills.” And yes, sometimes I knock things over with my tail. Big tail. Big enthusiasm. These things happen.

But here’s what I’ve been thinking about since then. Self-love is important but it’s hard to practice if you don’t make a little space for it.

And when I say space, I don’t mean a bigger dog bed (although I would not object to that). I mean the kind of space that helps you pause, breathe, and reset.

Dogs are actually pretty good at this. We run hard, play hard, greet people like they’re the most important thing in the world and then we stop. We lie down. We stretch out in the sun. We sit quietly beside the people we love.

We make space.

You hoomans, on the other paw, are very talented at filling every single minute of your day. Meetings. Emails. Deadlines. Responsibilities. Decisions. Expectations. Sometimes it seems like you believe if there’s an empty space in your calendar, you must immediately fill it with something productive.

But here’s something I’ve noticed from my spot on the office couch.

Some of the best thinking, best leadership, and best decisions happen when people pause long enough to make space.

Space to think before reacting.

Space to listen before responding.

Space to let a good idea grow instead of rushing past it.

My hooman, Staci, talks a lot about leadership being a human practice, not a title. And from what I’ve seen, the leaders people trust the most are not the ones who are constantly rushing or talking the loudest. They’re the ones who create space.

Space for others to contribute.

Space for new ideas.

Space for reflection when something doesn’t go as planned.

And sometimes, space for themselves.

Because here’s another little truth from the canine perspective: when you’re always moving at full speed, it’s hard to notice the good things around you. The small wins. The laughter in a meeting. The moment when someone feels truly heard.

Those things live in the space.

So, if your week feels crowded, complicated, or a little overwhelming, try something simple. Take a breath. Step away from the noise for a moment. Go for a walk or sit quietly. Let your mind settle.

You might be surprised what shows up when you give it room.

As for me, I plan to continue my leadership practice of making space on the couch. It’s a very important role, and I take it seriously. But if you need a reminder to slow down, think clearly, and make space for what really matters, you know where to find me.

Usually right next to my hooman. Or in the sunshine. Or yes, possibly taking up a little extra room on the couch.

With a wag and space for a little wisdom,

Snickerdoodle

Chief Wellness Officer | SRJ Collaborative