My Quiet Spaces: Why Women Need Quiet Time, and How They Can Find It

It’s Friday. For most of us, the end of the traditional work-week signals two feelings: relief or dread. We may feel lifted up—buoyed by a productive five days at work, or, more likely, we feel frantic, unbalanced, rushed, and dreading the fact that we’ll actually have to work all weekend to catch up.

Either way, we can all agree that life is busier than ever. And, what gets squeezed out most frequently from our jam-packed Google calendars? Time to just be.

Prior to the snowpocalypse of 2016, I spent three days in downtown Nashville with some of my favorite women—planning, dreaming, and filming content for the upcoming launch of an online community where women get what they need the most: time to just be.

Quiet Spaces: Prayer Interludes for Women, was originally published by Upper Room Books in 2002, was designed to give women permission to find the space and minutes to be with themselves and God. Now, the book is getting a reboot and an online community, because: women still need more down time.

Though Patricia’s book has been very popular and in print for 14 years, quiet time is no easier to come by for women. We have have such difficulty unplugging and refueling. But, why?

1. Women do a lot. I bet nearly every woman you know makes the juggling act of motherhood, her career, care-giving for loved ones, volunteering, errands, shuttling, and chores look effortless. But it’s not. Women face a never-ending frenzy of worry and anticipation of needs, because we are, by nature, very good at that.
2. We put ourselves last. Devotional time gets pushed back; prayer time is non-existent. We love our families, friends, and neighbors, but sometimes have trouble loving ourselves. Self-care is a growth edge for most women. Often, they are lucky if they find a five minutes to shower.
3. The world is moving faster, not slower. Periscope. Vine. Twitter. Instagram. Everything is faster, and allegedly more efficient. We live with our devices glued to us, and we think and interact in 140 characters. But, we still only have 24 hours in the day.

So, what can women do, given that the to-dos are piling up, but they are desperate for time to go inward?

They must make spaced for quiet time, no matter what—and they must find a community who gives them permission and support to do so each day.  

And, come April, that community will be launched by Upper Room Books and available to every woman on the planet.

I’m excited about how the “My Quiet Spaces” website and online community will revolutionize the way women of all ages and circumstances view their quiet time.

But, until then, ladies, sit down. Slow down. Breathe. Journal. Pray. Dream about the community that you will soon call your own soon. Hang tight. Help is on the way. We’ll see you in April!

Meanwhile, how do you squeeze in your quiet time? Share your tips in the comments section below. 

Want to see more behind-the-scenes shots with the ladies of “My Quiet Spaces”? Check out my Nashville photos.