A Celtic Blessing to Lower Stress

“Leave room in your garden for the fairies to dance.”

—attributed to artist James Temple

I honestly don’t know the original intent of this Celtic blessing, but the evocative invitation caught my attention. 

I’ve been stressed lately. The nomadic lifestyle my wife Lisa and I have been living for almost a year is wonderful and freeing, but it does have it’s downsides.

We’ve learned that “transition days” are difficult, where we wake up in one location and go to sleep in another. It involves packing, cleaning, traveling to our next place, unpacking, getting groceries, and learning the basics of the new domicile. There are dozens of little irritating questions you never think about in your own home that crop up on the road—Where are the light switches? Why aren’t there more outlets? How does the dishwasher work? Where’s the recycling?

Our recent schedule has been filled with transition days as we’ve gone from out-of-state travel to a few days at some friends’ house to three different pet sitting gigs back-to-back. I’m not complaining—the free lodging while pet sitting helps fund our travels—but it comes at a price. Walking, brushing, feeding, administering meds, play time, cleaning up messes, and dealing with behavioral challenges adds up.

The combination of closely packed transition days and caring for numerous animals has contributed to my stress. So when I read the phrase “Leave room in your garden for the fairies to dance,” here’s what it meant to me:

I need to build margin into my schedule. 

I’m a planner and derive great satisfaction from crossing things off my to do list. Reaching the end of the day with numerous things undone is a stress inducer.

What that Celtic blessing reminded me of was the need to plan for the unplanned. To add “deal with unexpected curve ball” to my list. Because those surprises come up with shocking regularity. A flat tire. An illness. Walking a stubbornly slow pet. Travel delays. If I “leave room for the fairies to dance” (a.k.a. margin) in my schedule, those stubborn interruptions will be far easier to take.

How’s your daily schedule? Is it filled to the minute? Are you feeling the stress? Plan for the unplanned. Expect the unexpected. Build in margin. Leave room for the fairies to dance. If you do, you’ll enjoy a more peaceful life, and you’ll take another step toward Becoming Yourself.