Slow down tool box
Slow down in nature © C.Rivers
Over the last few weeks, I noticed that life has sped up again, even though I am trying to slow it down. In face it seems like every time I try to slow down something happens and it momentum increases again. It can feel like being out of control, that the days go by so fast. We drive to the office, go shopping, meet friends or whiz from one after school club to the next. I recently delivered a talk about mindfulness at work, attendees shared: “Life is not just busy, it is frantic again, I need to slow down but I don’t know how.” While we recognise our desire and need for doing less and slower, the biggest hurdle is to give ourselves permission to slow down or stop.
So how can we do that? Asking questions can be a good starting point. The ones below are the ones I use and share with my coaching clients. Asking those questions gives me permission to slow down and most importantly to become present with what is because most of the time when my life is going too fast I am not present.
How do I know something is off, I am going too fast again?
How does my body respond?
What are my thoughts and are they in the present, past or future?
What would a “slow down” day look like, what would be different?
Who would benefit?
Where in my life do I need to slow down and where not?
What tools are available to me to learn to slow down?
How can I remind myself?
Slowing down is a learning process. Yoga, meditation and nature are great teachers to learn the art of slowing down: breathe, move and think slower while embracing feelings of restlessness, guilt and anxiety. Experiencing that process with my clients in 121 coaching, weekly classes or at day retreats is a privilege and together we assemble personal little Slow Down toolboxes. What would your Slow down tool box like like? Start with the questions above or get in touch if you would like to explore it further.
Namaste.
