{"id":123748,"date":"2023-01-19T12:10:04","date_gmt":"2023-01-19T19:10:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bemorewithless.com\/?p=123748"},"modified":"2025-01-06T17:29:18","modified_gmt":"2025-01-07T00:29:18","slug":"how-to-slow-down-in-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bemorewithless.com\/how-to-slow-down-in-life\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Slow Down In Life"},"content":{"rendered":"

Before I began to simplify my life, I was on the go constantly. I didn\u2019t feel like I had enough time to rest, pursue hobbies, or to hang out with friends. I never thought about how to slow down in life. My days were too busy, and my pace wasn\u2019t sustainable.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Letting go of my \u201cgo, go, go\u201d mindset took time. I began my adventures in slow living by changing my habits and setting boundaries. I did this very slowly because I wanted my habit changes and new boundaries, to stick. My strategy worked!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"12<\/p>\n

Slowing down the pace of my life has been invaluable. I\u2019ve given myself the gift of time. I\u2019m able to focus on creative projects, spend time with friends, rest, do nothing, and more. Going slow is a luxury that I\u2019m incredibly grateful for.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What does it mean to \u201cslow down\u201d?<\/h2>\n

For me, slowing down is a combination of practicing mindfulness, getting enough rest, and prioritizing what matters in my life<\/a>.<\/span> When I find myself rushing from task to task, email to email, or from project to project, I return to Pico Iyer\u2019s words. Iyer is one of my favorite authors because one facet of his work is about slowing down.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In Iyer\u2019s 2014 TedTalk \u2013 <\/span>The Art of Stillness<\/span><\/i><\/a> \u2013 he said, \u201c.. in an age of acceleration, nothing can be more exhilarating than going slow. And in an age of distraction, nothing is so luxurious as paying attention. And in an age of constant movement, nothing is so urgent as sitting still.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Importance of Slowing Down<\/h2>\n

Slowing down has offered me clarity and calm in a world that feels like it\u2019s moving faster and faster. I don\u2019t have to go on a month-long meditation retreat to reflect, rest, or to enjoy my daily life. Taking a few minutes out of my day or a few hours out of my week, helps me stay grounded and at ease.<\/span><\/p>\n

3 key reasons to slow down<\/h3>\n

Reason #1: Slowing down will help you avoid unnecessary stress and burnout.<\/h3>\n

We live in a 24-7 economy; an economy that prioritizes consumption and work. Slowing down is one way to push back against the narrative that we need to be on the go all the time; especially at work.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As<\/span> Sarah L. Jaffe<\/span><\/a> wrote, “Work won’t love you back.” For instance, work offers me a sense of purpose and meaning. But work can\u2019t meet all my needs. Setting strong boundaries in my professional life has helped me avoid undue stress and <\/span>burnout<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Reason #2: Slowing down will give you the opportunity to take care of your physical and emotional health.\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

Studies<\/span><\/a> have explored the benefits of creating a<\/span> mindfulness practice<\/span><\/a> like meditation. For example, mindfulness meditation is connected to health benefits like decreased anxiety, reduced blood pressure and stress, less depressive episodes, and more. This is true in my life. Taking the time to slow down\u2013through meditation, breath work, or walking\u2013has improved my physical and emotional health. It\u2019s also made me happier!\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Reason #3: Slowing down will help you prioritize what matters.\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

Deciding what to prioritize in life is a personal choice. I can\u2019t tell you what to put first. I can say that slowing down has helped me:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n