Link Love + Slowing Down

Lately Around here

This weekend I tried to slow down. Sounds easy enough, right? But for someone who’s constantly on the go, making lists, checking things twice, it can be a real challenge. I know that slowing down is the best thing for me to do, especially when I start to feel overwhelmed.

There are some big changes on the horizon (all good!) and I am trying to take each lovely step as it comes to just enjoy the process. I know I need time to regroup and re-organize to be better for myself and for the ones around me, so it’s a good practice to keep coming back to.

Here’s a little view of my life lately:

Living out of bags. This looks ridiculous, even to me.

Bags bags bags

This is something I worked (and managed to finish!) this weekend during some slower times…

art scene

Let your joy give you wings

C + I woke up early to watch a sunrise. It was still and quiet, except for the song birds (yay!)

Me and C

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I love the panoramic view; this was such a great, slow way to start the day. I find that when I observe nature, it calms me down and lulls me into a peaceful mood.

sunrise 3

Link Love

Some of my favorite links around the web this week:

A NJ couple who was married for 67 years die hours apart. I really believe some people are just meant to be together.

I’m thinking about buying this book, Rebel Buddha. Sounds right up my alley.

“To create what we want in our lives and the world, we must find peace and stay there.” Sing it, Martha!

This took me waayyyy back. Kevin Bacon rockin’ the Footloose dance on Jimmy Fallon!

7 reasons to be happy even if things aren’t perfect now.

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When Do You Allow Yourself To Slow Down? {Scheduling It In Helps.}

I was in the middle of folding laundry recently and I noticed I was ticking off my mental list of the next 5 things I needed to do when I was finished. Any other day, this would be business as usual: lists are my thing.

But today was a different sort of day; I didn’t have any obligations, my calendar was clear and I could relax and see where the day took me. I intentionally set my day up this way so I could decompress and regroup–I wasn’t even scheduling in a workout at the gym because I wanted to create the time and space to actually relax.

You are the sky

So when I was going through my potential tasks for the day, it dawned on me that even when I created that precious space to be still and unwind from daily craziness, I actually had to coach myself on how to use it. My automatic pilot was so action oriented, the still space and time felt foreign + unrecognizable for what it was.

Thoughts began to roll around in my head about why I was always on the go, both mentally and physically. I’m not a world leader or a international rock star, but life can still feel busy in that way. I recognized the myth of epic proportions that I bought in to a long time ago: I am busy because that’s how I’m supposed to be.

This new introspective discovery allowed me to treat this time I created as a gift. I saw that I could be using it to dig in deeper to my life rather than wasting time on fleeting thoughts and check-lists. When the busy-ness gets in the way of enjoying everyday life, it all seems rather futile.

These thoughts inspired me to plan more down time in my life (oh the irony!) Some days it’s just not possible, but I find if I plan ahead and give myself an hour or two to explore, to relax and to reflect, I am much more productive in my otherwise hectic life. Martha Beck agrees: calming down is the answer.

This slow down time is about being more awake and less distracted. It’s a process of keeping focus on the moment. It’s a practice of trust and patience, too. I want to be more intentional about how I’m living (not just go through the motions) and slowing down helps me get there.

In honor of slowing down, I planned a spa weekend to unwind. It was full of a lot of blissful, quiet moments to relax. There were a lot of deep sighs, reflective thoughts and indulging in delicious food, all while allowing time to pass without being especially productive. It recharged my battery big time. Here are a few pictures from my delightful time away:

Serene views…

Hot Tub

Pool

Rigatoni

Delicious food and lovely partners in crime….

Spa Mates

How are you slowing yourself down these days?

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