6 Ways to Choose a Slower-Paced Life

In this busy world, we must decide to slow down. Sometimes, our schedules are so full that we aren’t even sure where to begin to rest. So, let’s lean into the invitation to rest and share some ideas. If you struggle in this area you may want to:

Change your pace.

This seems a bit silly, but it is beneficial. Become aware of the pace you are moving at and purposefully slow down. I realized that I lived at a constant running pace. I would fast walk everywhere. And if I was late I would run. When I became aware of this struggle I was appalled. But it took me becoming aware. I don’t do this anymore. I walk. If I am anxious about time I pray and walk. But instead of being in a constant hurry, I began to be kinder to myself.

Journal

Holding a pen in my hand and writing words on paper slows my thinking. My racing thoughts are forced to slow down. Lately, I have even slowed the pace of my writing down when I journal. I pay attention to the letters and their formation. This practice has helped me on so many levels.

Deep breathe.

Do you hold your breath? Are your breaths shallow? Sometimes, this happens when we don’t even realize it. Just being more aware of your breathing can shift your overall mental and emotional health. Take a couple of minutes and take slow, deep breaths.

Take music breaks.

Turn on your favorite song and sing along. Dance or sing or both. When the song ends carry the tune with you and hum along through your day. You will be shocked at the impact great music can make to combat the constant struggle to rush through the day. Also, we tend to take ourselves a little less seriously when we do a boogie.

Be grateful.

Take a few moments and turn from the busyness and just be thankful. Give gratitude a place in your life intentionally. When we stop and thing in order to be gratful it helps to shift the speed at which we are moving.

Do something you love to do.

It is healthy to take time to get filled up. Doing activities we love to do is a gift to ourselves and often times we do the things we have to do better when we have taken time to do something we really enjoy. If you love being outdoors get out there? What to play a pick up game of basketball? Head to a court nearby. Maybe you want to hike, or paint, or read, or laugh. Just do it. Create space to spend even just a bit of time enjoying yourself.

We don’t have to live at a breakneck speed. We don’t have to whip ourselves into racing around as if we are in the Kentucky Derby. If we are running around because we are concerned about what someone else will think of us…this is an invitation to kick the people pleasing to the curb.

I can tell you from personal experience that this fast-paced lifestyle is painfully hard on our body’s whether we are currently realizing it or not. I have had to deal with health struggles that are from the constant state of anxious living that I had made my normal.

If I could go back and tell my younger self some things I would say;

• You are loved regardless of what you “do” on this earth.

• No one else’s opinion of you gets to be what drives you.

• Choose friends who encourage you to rest and get filled up instead of competing about the longest to-do list.

• Make space to do something you enjoy.

• Laugh and dance more.

• Slow down, sister. You aren’t a racehorse.

What would you like to tell yourself today?

How can you slow your pace down?

If you want to live a slower-paced life choose one of these are give it a try this week. Be kind to yourself and choose to enjoy this life we have been given. It is a gift to be relished. Let’s stop rushing through it to get to the next thing but engage in the journey!