When was the last time you heard the words, “slow down, take your time, no rush”? Either it has been a long time, or you probably can’t remember when.
Today you’re more likely to hear, “hurry up, let’s go, and are you done yet?”
Think of slowing down as a sacred pause that gives you time to think more clearly, to plan on purpose, and to open up choices that would not occur to you if you hurried. A purposeful pause isn’t stepping away from life; it is stepping into life more thoughtfully.
Our lives are filled with challenges, broken dreams, and uncertainty. It is vital that we hibernate from time to time from stress, anxiety, and constant motion. It is important to have a respite from the need to perform, achieve, and prove ourselves.
We live in a hustle culture that believes in constant productivity, tells us our self-worth is tied to our output and where “grind” is glamorized by promoting the myth that anyone can reach extreme wealth or status by simply outworking everyone else.
The major risks to living in a hustle culture are burnout and exhaustion, high stress levels which increase the risk of anxiety, depression, and cardiovascular issues, and loss of balance in our personal relationships, sleep, hobbies, and self-care.
When we face deep discomfort or the agony of uncertainty, our basic instinct is often to speed up, generating endless to-do lists and activities to fabricate a sense of control. Actually, those things serve as a distraction keeping us from confronting the realities of our situation.
Emotional hibernation is a strategy for the overwhelm and chronic stress we experience in our lives. You only need to take five minutes. Take a walk, sit still, and breathe. Look for the extraordinary in the ordinary like going outside and looking at a plant. Remind yourself of a joyful moment in your life, close your eyes and inhale deeply, then exhale three times and say aloud a few things you are grateful for.
The perfect time for remembering to slow down, take it easy and don’t rush is when you wake up. Taking a couple seconds to slow down in the beginning of your day may make a difference for the rest of your day.
Reflection: Where will I make space to slow down?
Today’s Practice: Stop, look, listen, feel, smell, and don’t forget to breathe.