By Linda Santana Arroyo
I thought I had it all planned out.
Drop off some paperwork.
Meet someone for work.
Make it to my doctor’s appointment.
Three things. All important. And all… scheduled too tightly.
I’ve been trying to be more intentional lately—leaving breathing room in my day instead of stacking one commitment on top of the other. But this past week, I slipped. I back-booked my schedule, thinking I could do it all.
And then, delays happened.
What I assumed would be a quick paperwork drop-off turned into a sit-down conversation. They needed to review forms, ask questions, and go over details. By the time I left, I was already behind.I had to scramble to change the location of my second meeting so I could still make my third—a doctor’s appointment I couldn’t miss. Thankfully, the person agreed to meet closer to my next stop.
But it doesn’t always work out like that.
By the time I walked into the dermatologist’s office, I was drained.Physically. Mentally. Emotionally.My body was tense. My nerves were frayed. I had rushed, stressed, and stretched myself too thin.
And for what?
That second task wasn’t necessary. If I had just done the first and third appointments, I would’ve had plenty of margin. Time to breathe. Space to move calmly and clearly.
And that was the lesson.
Buffer time matters.
The space between matters.
Rest isn’t only about naps or vacations—it’s about honoring the natural pauses that help us reset. Without them, we push ourselves into survival mode. We lose our presence. We lose our peace.
So here’s what I’m taking with me into next week:I’m not just asking “Can I fit this in?” I’m asking “Will this give me space to breathe?” Because margin isn’t wasted time.It’s the secret to walking in peace, to feeling in control, and to being present in the moment.
So, as you plan your week, remember: buffer time isn't wasted time. It's an investment in your well-being.
💬 Your Turn
Have you found yourself rushing from one thing to the next with no breathing room in between? This week, try leaving 15–30 minutes of buffer time between commitments.
Use that space to pause, breathe, and reset. Your peace is worth protecting.
Share in the comments: What’s one thing you can remove from your calendar this week to give yourself more margin?And if you've found effective ways to incorporate buffer time into your schedule, we'd love to hear about it. Let's learn from each other and support one another in this journey towards a more balanced and peaceful life.