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Creating a kind space can mean different things to different people. When we created the Kindspace voice application for Alexa we were in the midst of the covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns. We wanted to make something that would help people feel less alone and that would also help people to be more aware about how they were really doing. The app has naturally evolved since then and become something far more than we could ever have imagined. It’s a curated library of the strategies that people use to stay well and includes a lot of our own lived experiences as well as the ideas from the people we have met.

For a very long time I’ve wanted to start a podcast but not quite had the confidence to do it. This blog post is the start of a new creative path, as I explore what creating a kind space really means and dive deeper into people’s approaches to wellbeing and their mental health.

Taking a deeper dive into kindspace

Kindspace is caring for yourself, putting your needs at the centre without judgment. It’s about practicing empathy and compassion. It’s about finding joy and contentment with life. It’s about having the strength to face life’s challenges. It’s about feeling fulfilled and having hope.

I know that finding time for yourself can be hard, when you have so many other things competing for your time. Something I have struggled with personally is doing too much and trying to please everyone. Feeling like I have to be the one who is strong and taking care of everyone else. I am stubborn about asking for help, I worry about people letting me down. I know that a lot of these feelings stem from what I went through as a child. I’ve had to make peace with many aspects of my past and creating Kindspace has been, in a weird sort of way, quite therapeutic and given me insight into concepts and tools that I wish I had learned earlier.

Here are some initial thoughts I have about creating Kindspaces for yourself and others:

See the world with curiosity and possibility: Often when we feel the world is getting on top of us, it’s because we feel a lack of control and start to lose hope that things can change. We can let fear rule our lives, fear of the unknown can hold us back and mean we don’t see opportunities. When we operate with a closed mindset, our anxious brain will naturally fixate on every worst case scenario.

Give yourself physical space: Having uninterrupted time for yourself allows you to pay closer attention to your needs. It can allow you to be more present and mindful. That physical space might be as simple as getting out for a walk each day. We all need something in our lives that is special and just for us, that fills us with anticipation and joy just at the thought, even if it is just getting a nice cup of tea and a sit down with a book for 15 minutes. Crazy as it sounds I like singing while I’m doing the dishes or cleaning!

Create some space between emotions and action: Emotions are triggered by the things around us and the things that have happened to us in the past. We need to feel them and accept them in the moment. Emotions can help us to process situations, but they shouldn’t dictate how we respond. Recognise that you are not your emotions, you have the power to chose what action to take.

Practice empathy and compassion: This might be easier said than done, but if you can approach life with love in your heart and be supportive and non-judgmental you will feel calmer and more at peace. There is a great piece of advice from Brene Brown that has stuck with me ever since I read it. She says to always ask yourself “what if they are just doing the best that they can?” This has helped me immensely to process past interactions with family members and see that they were just doing the best they could.

A podcast all About Kindness

I’m really looking forward to getting underway with the podcast. I have some truly beautiful guests for you. All people that I have met on our journey into tech, wellness and entrepreneurship. I hope that you will come with us and continue on our journey to create more kindspaces, sharing your insights and asking questions as together we spread kindness across the globe.

I know I will learn a lot from doing this and can’t wait to share with you the wisdom from the guests and hopefully bring you some comfort and joy on days when you’re feeling lonely, or anxious or stressed with life.

Check out the trailer for the podcast show here.

If you’re reading this and thinking what on earth is Kindspace, check out the rest of our website or if you have an Alexa, all you need to say to get started is “Alexa, open Kindspace”. Inside the app you’ll find a daily wellbeing check-in, large library of wellbeing tips and a growing range of audio wellness activities like journaling, short stories, poetry, affirmations and breathing exercises. We also have a handy getting started guide you can download here.