How Nature Slows Down and So Should We: Compare the slowing pace of nature with the benefits of embracing slowness in our lives.
I used to rush around all the time. I’d feel guilty for spending half an hour watching a television program, or chilling with a film. There just wasn’t time.
As a young person I was working as well as looking after two young children I had in my early twenties. I kept my house clean, the washing done, the kids fed and happy (hopefully) and worked when I could to earn enough money to pay the bills. As the kids got older, my work hours got longer and more intense. I don’t know how I coped, but I was young and fit and I did.
Then when I got older my life took a different turn. I’d been a single parent for a while and my children were young teens when I met my partner and we decided to have a baby together. I wasn’t working by this time, my life had turn upside down and I’d had to give up a job I loved. I still tried to earn some extra cash by working at home doing jobs like Avon and Betterware. I never slowed down. But then my baby finally came along and I was approaching forty! It wasn’t an easy pregnancy and I had to depend on my partner for my income. I was still caring for two teens and driving around and heavily pregnant.
After the baby was born life was even more hectic but I got pregnant again pretty soon afterwards. We had friends, a social life, teens, babies and an older generation to care for. I was still really busy. I never expected to get pregnant again. I didn’t have the time!!
After the next baby arrived we were faced with too many people in one small house and we had to move. I’d lived in that house for 24 years and moving was an absolute nightmare. I’d always been a bit of a hoarder, but the amount of stuff in such a small house was shocking. I hadn’t moved for a long time. I wasn’t sure what to expect and I still have nightmares about it now. The day after we moved I had to go to London for an event. I was always on the go.
The next three years passed, trying to get the house together, looking after three small children (thankfully, the older ones were mostly looking after themselves but I was still no1 taxi driver.) I had to keep our house in order and look after my partner’s parents.
Then suddenly after a busy and eventful Christmas I got sick. I mean really sick. I spent a whole week unable to move apart from uncontrollable spasms. I never really recovered. I didn’t improve but I still can’t walk properly or do half the things I used to.
Slow Down
So, that was quite a long story (with so much missing but I don’t have time to write a novel right now!) But the moral is simple. Slow Down.
I got to fifty years old and I felt like I was thirty. I was healthy, I had young children (and older ones) I’d been through all sorts of trauma, but I never stopped and took any time for myself. I was on the go all the time. I think this may have contributed to my illness. Maybe it didn’t. I’ll never really know but my condition was caused by my body attacking itself for no reason. I developed anti-bodies that attacked my vital body parts starting with my spinal cord. I have a rare condition called Stiff Person Syndrome plus PERM.
Since getting sick I have been forced to slow down. It’s taken me a long time to get used to it, and I still find it hard now, some eight years later.
Now I preach the importance of slowing down. I have no choice, but you do and you should.
Ways of Slowing Down
Prioritise what is important to you, and if something is not necessary then cut it out. I had a fear of missing out, it’s real. I didn’t want to spend Bank Holidays at home, I wanted to go out and do something. But you CAN have fun at home and relax instead.
Take Time for yourself. There is a saying about being on a plane and the air masks come down. Your instincts are to look after everyone else and put theirs on first, but what happens if you run out of air? You won’t be able to look after anyone. Thinking of yourself doesn’t mean less care for everyone else, it means you’ll be there to care for them.
Do everything with meaning. Don’t rush out at the last minute, think about why you are doing it. Can it be put off, are there better things to do? Can you swap that non vital shopping trip for a relaxing bath instead?
Be more mindful. Take time to empty your mind with all the things you need to too and fill it with things that make you happy. Relax, focus on your breathing, do something creative.
Get out in nature. Go for a walk, getting out in nature can be difficult for some but you can still walk and feel the effects of nature with enjoying the tree lined streets or people’s carefully tended gardens. Of course if you can get to a park or woodland area that’s even better, but there is nature everywhere, learn to appreciate it.
Eat slower. We do rush our meals sometimes. I like to treat my meals like when I got out with friends and we chatter between each mouthful. Even if you have no-one to chatter to or you prefer to eat in silence, just slow down and enjoy each mouthful. Don’t shovel it down thinking about what you have to do next.
Sleep. Go to bed a little earlier, have a lie-in occasionally, if you can. I remember those days when my babies were young and I barely had any sleep. It affected my mood and how much I could cope with. Take any chance you can to get a little more sleep. It’s your bodies only way of recharging it’s batteries.
Practice gratitude. Don’t be confused, it’s a way of slowing down because it makes you think about the things that have brought you joy and taking the time to reflect and relax.
Keep a journal. I look back at some of my old journals and I wonder how on earth I fitted it all in. My writing is tiny, I have so much done in each little day. It certainly makes me think. These days my journals are much more thoughtful and relaxed. Maybe I am forced, but it’s not a bad thing.
What do you do to slow down? How do you wind down and relax? Sometimes we have no choice but to be busy busy busy (I’m a mum of five remember!) but it’s important to grab those moments when you can slow down.
Please take a look at my mindfulness shop. I have plenty of things that will help you slow down from journals to candles. I have extended my sale until the end of October so just enter the code 40off for a fabulous 40% discount site wide.
After being so busy for so long it must have been quite the shock having to slow down when you got ill.
This is really great advice! We all need to take more time for ourselves. x
Sometimes life just seems to happen, doesn’t it? You seem to be adjusting to your new life situation. It sounds horrific, but you sound positive. Good advice about slowing down and taking time. #MMBC
We’ve been forced to slow down after the death of our daughter last month. We just didn’t realise our bucket was already overflowing. Writing for me has been a life saver, looking back and reflecting over the past few weeks has helped me take stock of all sorts of things. I hope a slower pace of life is helpful for you.
Thanks for linking with #pocolo
After being so busy for so long it must have been quite the shock having to slow down when you got ill.
This is really great advice! We all need to take more time for ourselves. x
I need to start taking note of this!
You are doing amazingly well, especially having to adapt to a new you after your diagnosis. x
It’s very hard to slow down when you have a busy family life but you have some great advice. I read when I can, the escapism helps me.
#MMBC
Sometimes life just seems to happen, doesn’t it? You seem to be adjusting to your new life situation. It sounds horrific, but you sound positive. Good advice about slowing down and taking time. #MMBC
We’ve been forced to slow down after the death of our daughter last month. We just didn’t realise our bucket was already overflowing. Writing for me has been a life saver, looking back and reflecting over the past few weeks has helped me take stock of all sorts of things. I hope a slower pace of life is helpful for you.
Thanks for linking with #pocolo