Space for Authentic Connection

Taking up Space — A Learning Process

Something that has occupied me a lot lately is taking up my own space.It sounds so simple, but it’s actually a long learning journey.

Especially in situations where, for years, you haven’t learned to show yourself or stand up for yourself.

A sentence I recently came across really struck me:

“There is little space if we don’t take it.”

An example from my everyday life:During a morning circle with the children, I was about to talk about the day.Three kids were distracted, busy with something else.

I was just about to step into the situation when a colleague intervened and tried to handle it.I looked at him and said quite firmly — in front of the children:

“I can handle this myself. This is my situation.”

At first, I was surprised at how direct I was — and at having said it so openly.But at the same time, it felt right.It was my space, my responsibility, and I wanted to handle it myself.

For the children, this might have been confusing — but also a valuable moment:To see that adults don’t always agree, but can still interact respectfully and clearly.

A similar moment came later during a project.Although we work as equals in the team, a colleague suddenly assigned me a task in front of the group.I was irritated and a bit angry.Again, I felt the impulse to show myself and say:

“I don’t think it’s okay that you just assign me a task.We work here as a team and share equal responsibility.We are equal here.It feels really bad to me to just be handed a task like that.”

Again, it was a step toward being visible.Taking up space.Taking responsibility — also for myself.

What I Take Away From This

Pedagogy is not just a subject you can learn.It’s deeply personal.

It requires reflection, courage, and the willingness to face yourself — even the parts you’d rather hide.And it needs spaces — for children and adults — where development is possible.

These spaces don’t just appear by themselves.We have to create them.Dare to do so.Show ourselves.Take up space.

And sometimes that means setting boundaries, standing up for your opinion, or apologizing.In front of children.In front of colleagues.In front of yourself.