Let’s Talk About Slowing Down

We live in a productivity-driven society where we glamorize constant hustle and feel we’re lazy when we slow down. And while work is definitely important when we’re talking about achieving our dreams and following our passions, it’s important to also remember that it’s okay to slow down and take breaks, too.

Have you ever found yourself running around trying to accomplish something, only to realize you’re making mistakes you normally wouldn’t? Sometimes, when we have a lot on our plate, we may find it’s more difficult to accomplish tasks. We may find that we’re more distracted because we’re thinking of everything that needs to get done, more tired from an increased workload, or even feeling overwhelmed or burnt out. Slowing down can help with this feeling a lot.

Also read: 3 Areas in Your Life You Probably Haven’t Thought About Spring Cleaning

Here’s a good example: imagine that you’re driving your car with a 6 tier cake in the back seat for your mom’s birthday. When you see a red light ahead, you start breaking slowly so that the cake doesn’t go flying. And since you’re slowing down in advance, some lights even turn green before you get there so you can continue through, and your wait time is cut down drastically at others. Look at the idea of slowing down in your own life through the same lens. 

Slowing down can help to reduce the harsh stops that can sometimes happen from things such as burnout or stress, or shorten the rest times when we need to take a break, too. So today, I’m going to help you identify a couple of areas in your own life where you can slow down when life is feeling hectic to help you reduce the impact from a harsh stop

It’s okay to recruit outside help

It’s really easy to get caught up in the idea that we need to do everything on our own, especially when life feels overwhelming or daunting. As tough as it may feel, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone. Reach out to a friend or family member if you need help getting caught up on chores or day-to-day tasks, offer to trade off on school drop-offs and pick-ups with your neighbour if you need a couple of extra minutes in your day, or hire outside help if that’s accessible to you. Sometimes recruiting help can take a little creativity, so start by identifying your needs and see if there is an area you can ask for help.

It’s okay to pick up dinner

Takeout dinners, delivery apps, and meal kits exist for a reason. When you feel too tired to cook, or when life feels extra busy, don’t feel guilty about picking up dinner. It doesn’t mean you’re lazy or unhealthy at all. One takeout dinner here or there is simply utilizing your resources to take a load off yourself – which is a great way to shift your focus back onto yourself. 

It’s okay if your house isn’t perfectly clean

Your house doesn’t need to look like a show home. Homes are supposed to be loved in and lived in, which will likely mean that there will be signs that people love and live there. It’s okay if your dishes are left overnight, and it’s okay if you’re behind on your laundry. Life happens, and you need to remember to not sacrifice your own wellbeing to make sure your home is clean one day. If you need to rest, rest. The dishes can wait.

It’s okay to hire a coach

Think about a professional athlete – they’ve likely been playing the game for their entire life, and they’re extremely good at it. However, they still have a coach to help them with an outside perspective. When a basketball player is on the court, they’re limited to their own viewpoint, whereas their coach can help them see what’s going on in other areas. The same thing can happen in your personal life, too. I love working one on one with my clients to provide clarity in their life. Think of a coach as the outside perspective to help see the things you may not be able to see from your own viewpoint!