When was the last time you sat and did nothing? I’m not talking about sitting on the couch with your phone. I mean sitting without any input at all while letting your mind open and your body decompress. If you’re like most people, then it’s probably been a while. We all struggle with finding time to quiet our minds. It’s wild how much there is to do in life to keep it all going, much less get ahead.
Even dealing with the logistics of being human—like constantly deciding what to eat, searching food out, then eating. Or bathing, doing laundry, cleaning your house, getting exercise, paying your bills, taking care of your pets, and maintaining some sliver of socialness, all while scheduling this around your work life.
It’s a lot.
Because the mere act of existing takes so much upkeep, our life gains a momentum of doing. By that, I mean that since there’s always something we need to get done, we get into the habit of constantly doing stuff without ever taking a break to recover.
Think of it like a train. Once it reaches its cruising speed, it takes a while to slow down. The train is too heavy and has too much momentum to stop on a dime. The conductor has to take time to slow down before the train can stop at the station. We operate in the same way, which is why we’re so bad at slowing down and taking time for ourselves to simply be.
We feel compelled to keep going because every task feels important since we have gotten into the habit of seeking important tasks.
Mindfully building time in your life to slow down is unbelievably valuable. Doing nothing other than being still and quiet for a few minutes a day gives your mind a break from the input. That break creates space in your thinking, allowing you to hear your own voice and get back in tune with your inner compass. By practicing slowing down consistently, you consciously turn the noise down in your life, which increases your mental clarity, energy levels, and motivation.
The mindset shift that comes from taking the time to release your body and mind is a serious game changer. And the best part is that it doesn’t have to be a formal practice like meditation. All you need to do is look for gaps in your day and decide to spend the next five or ten minutes simply being rather than doing.
This can look like:
Laying on your bed with your eyes closed while taking deep breaths.
Sitting on your couch with your legs crossed and eyes closed while listening to the beauty and fullness of the silence.
Going on a slow walk with no headphones while soaking in nature (remember to look up).
Stretch or do light yoga for five minutes to reset your body.
Go into another room (if there are others in the house) and listen to calm music for a few minutes to give yourself a break.
These mini-breaks are super useful ways to sprinkle moments of calm, restoration, and clarity into your day. You’ll notice each time you take the time to be for yourself that you feel refreshed and tuned back into your true nature. After you start nurturing yourself with such self-connection more often, you’ll never want to get back on that train of doing ever again.
Elsewhere:
Slowing down is the ultimate ‘speeding up’. Exponential rise in inner peace, life sat, and clarity of direction. Loved this piece, Cory. And so fitting for the festive break.