The art of slowing down

The world is spinning. Literally. And so are you, aren’t you?

I bet that’s exactly how you feel all day, every day. Appointments, meetings, your kids’ school events, coffee with friends, the gym… and you almost forget to breathe.

That’s how I usually feel, and I know for sure that more than half of the world’s population feels the same way too.

Society has made us forget what it’s like to slow down, take it easy, and enjoy life and the little things. I know I did. You need to be productive, fast, always moving—move, move, move!

The everyday schedule, the routine we all have, can’t be slowed down—or else! Especially if you have a career or children, one minute late can make the difference between being on time and being awfully late.

But even though we can’t always do things on our own terms, we can learn to take time for ourselves, to put our physical and mental health first. And sometimes, we need very little to go a long way.

My favorite thing to do to start the day is to set my daily intentions. Yes, I know—it sounds like another silly millennial thing, but bear with me. As a person with chronic anxiety, this helps me create a mental plan for how the day will be structured. And if I have some minor setbacks, it won’t feel like the end of the world. In these intentions, I always include some “me time.”

I try to fit a workout somewhere into my day and set aside at least one hour to do something I love and enjoy. It doesn’t have to be anything big or fancy. It could be that book you bought months ago and never had time to read, or taking a nice bubbly bath (or both together). You can go for a walk in nature, try that cute café you’ve always wanted to visit but never found the time for, or, better yet, watch that new TV series everyone is talking about, cozy on your couch.

But do something. Whatever brings you happiness and peace of mind. Something that slows you down in the moment and recharges you. Because yes, the world is spinning but you don’t need to.

Enjoy your life, your family, and your friends. And remember to breathe. Tomorrow, the world will still be here.

Maybe slowing down doesn’t mean changing your whole life. Maybe it’s not about quitting your job, canceling plans, or escaping to a cabin in the woods, as tempting as that sounds. Maybe it’s just about creating tiny pauses in between all the noise. Five minutes of silence in the car before going inside. A deep breath before answering that email. Leaving your phone in another room while you eat.

We are so used to filling every empty second that stillness can feel uncomfortable, almost wrong. But that’s usually a sign that we need it the most. Rest is not laziness. Taking time for yourself is not selfish. And choosing to slow down, even for a moment, does not mean you’re falling behind.

Life will always ask things from you. There will always be another task, another responsibility, another place to be. But you are allowed to choose how you show up for it. You are allowed to protect your energy, to listen to your body, and to honor your limits.

So be gentle with yourself. On the days you manage to do it all and on the days you barely get through. You’re doing better than you think. And sometimes, simply breathing, slowing down, and being present is more than enough.

And stay hydrated!