Slowing Down & Savouring Time Off

Wellness

Slowing Down & Savouring Time Off

“We live in a fast pace world” – These words have probably been uttered by every generation since the dawn of time, but social media has brought the world into our living rooms and set a frenetic pace in a league of its own.

We can get so swept up in survival mode, that life just passes us by without even realising it. Many of us are addicted to the pace, the hustle, the noise, we are completely plugged into the matrix. We have lost consciousness in a culture that rewards “busy”. We have accepted this idea that busy equates to a full life, when often, the complete opposite is true,

Part of living consciously, requires an awakening, a long look in the mirror and an unplugging so to speak from the notion that frantic equals fulfilled and nourished.

There is magic to be found in pushing pause and seizing slow moments. The essence of slowing down is understanding; where, when, why, and who we spend our time with and if it is worth it.

Spend time with the people you love, it’s that simple. Take a step back from the hustle and bustle of life and spend quality time connecting with the people that matter the most. It is our actions and not just our words that speak what our hearts feel.

Here are a few ways to slow down |

Breathe

There’s no better way to take pause and centre yourself than by breathing in deeply and by focusing on each breath and feeling the air coming into your body. It is a way of celebrating each moment, a new day, a new challenge and the lessons that come from it.. Slow breathing calms you down and makes you feel good.

The Practice Of Gratitude

Gratitude helps us slow down and increase our appreciation for life. When we practice gratitude daily, it helps us detach from toxicity and negative emotions, shifting our mindset in a positive direction. Savouring our journey and being grateful for all things, big or small, is one of the most life giving practices.

Being present

In a world that’s always busy and juggling many things at the same time, we all need to be mindful of the things we are doing at any given moment. With mindfulness, you bring yourself back to the here and now, gently and slowly.

Living in the moment allows you to untangle your mind and be present, savouring life and appreciating every little thing

Unplugging

Disconnecting ourselves from our devices allows us to focus more on other things. Slowing down can be difficult if you are at the mercy of constant demands and requests while being connected all the time. Unplugging helps us connect with ourselves mentally, physically, and spiritually, a quiet time for ourselves to refresh and recharge.

Tribe Time

Quiet Time

Reconnect with yourself, you’ll learn to love the silence and to crave the time to process and gently re set. Slowness compels us to experience the world around us and connects us to our most peaceful and calm selves.

The purpose of slowing down is to become mindful of our days, allowing us to have profound, meaningful, and deep-rooted relationships. Allowing time to stretch and unfold around our needs means making time to enjoy and savour life’s precious moments.

While slowing down sounds wonderfully poetic, it is a discipline that requires practice and often what can feel like radical boundaries. Slow living has to be cultivated, nurtured and fought for in our world but the reward is conscious living.

This article is deeply personal to me and is a tribute to my incredible daughter, who has recently once again brought the meaning of life into sharp focus for us.

Pagan, your strength inspires me to do better, you are my light.

May you find the courage to slow down and the gratitude to appreciate whatever is waiting for you in the quiet.

Karen Reed