Have you ever had a favorite toy break, or a best friend move away? It can feel so sad and empty, like a big, important piece of your life has been taken away. Your heart feels a little heavy, and you might think, “Why did this have to happen?”

It’s a totally normal way to feel. But what if we could look at it in a completely new way? The wise spiritual teacher Dolores Cannon once said:

“The universe isn’t taking anything from you, it’s making space.”

What if every time something leaves your life, it’s not about losing, but about getting ready for something new and wonderful to arrive?

The Great Cosmic Tidy-Up

Imagine your life is your bedroom. Over time, you fill it with toys, games, and projects. Some of them you love and play with every day. But others? They might be broken, or you’ve outgrown them, or they just don’t feel fun anymore. They just sit there, collecting dust and taking up space.

Now, imagine the universe is like a super loving parent who comes in to help you tidy up. It sees a toy you haven’t played with in ages, or one that’s holding you back from playing with newer, more exciting things. Gently, lovingly, the universe helps you move that old toy out of the room.

At first, you might feel a pang of sadness. “Hey! I liked that!” But then, suddenly, you have a big, open space on your floor. A space you didn’t even realize you were missing. A space that’s now ready for a brand new castle, a cool art project, or a cozy spot to read a new book.

The universe isn’t being mean. It’s being a helper. It’s not taking from you; it’s making space for you.

What Is The New Space For?

When something leaves our lives—whether it’s a friendship, a job, or an old dream—it can feel scary because we don’t know what will fill the emptiness. But the universe always has a plan. It’s clearing the way for something that is a better fit for the person you are becoming.

That empty space is a gift! It’s an invitation to welcome in something new.

Maybe a friendship ends to make space for a new friend who understands the real you. Maybe a plan gets canceled to make space for a spontaneous, magical adventure you never would have had otherwise. Maybe an old story you told yourself about who you are is finally leaving, making space for your true, authentic magic to shine.

Trusting the Messy Middle

Let’s be honest: a tidy-up can look really messy in the middle! When you’re cleaning your room, there’s a moment when everything is pulled out and it looks worse than when you started. That’s what it can feel like when the universe is making space in your life.

It’s okay to feel sad about what’s leaving. It’s okay to feel a little confused in the messy middle. The most important part is to trust that the universe is not punishing you; it is preparing you. It is lovingly clearing a path for more joy, more love, and more magic than you can even imagine.

An Invitation to See the Space

This week, if you feel the pang of something leaving your life, big or small, try a little experiment.

Take a moment to feel the sadness, and then gently ask a new question:

“Thank you for the space. I wonder what amazing thing is on its way to me now?”

You don’t have to have the answer. You just have to be open, curious, and ready. The universe is a master decorator, and it can’t wait to show you what it has in store for your beautiful, newly-spacious life.