I used to be the most “productive” person I know. I could get so much done in a day, in a month, and in a year. I could manage lots of different tasks and responsibilities without feeling overwhelmed. Since I didn’t see my mental health suffering, I thought all was well.
Over the last few years, several things have happened that have really changed the way I walk through life. First of all, I married a man who is a lot more chill and relaxed. He takes time to rest and he’s not always on the go. Then I became a mother to a child who didn’t sleep for a year and a half. I was so tired, and physically I could not do what I used to. That was a tough pill to swallow. If that wasn’t enough of a physical push, I then developed severe asthma and would have bad asthma attacks everyday from doing literally anything (and sometimes nothing at all).
Especially with those last two, I was forced to make a change and do less. It was hard at first, but I’m so grateful for that change now.
Here are the top 3 surprising benefits I have experienced from slowing down on “production” and allowing myself to rest in body and spirit:
Less critical
It could be just me, but I found that the more productive I was, the more I expected. I found it easy to be critical of myself when I wouldn’t perform as optimally as I knew I could. And sadly, I would hold others to my same ridiculous standards. If I could accomplish this and that in a day, anyone could, and should for that matter.
Fortunately, after reaching the point where I literally could not do the things I thought I should, I realized my expectations were totally messed up and I found myself feeling a lot more love and grace for myself and for those around me.
If you’re feeling a little critical of yourself or others today, maybe consider sitting out on the porch with a cup of tea and just soaking in the beauty of life. It’s a different kind of productivity that I’ve come to really value.
More gratitude
“I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” (Attributed to Gilbert K. Chesterton)
One of the greatest benefits of slowing down and being present is the ease with which gratitude flows into my life. When I’m busy, busy, busy, I’m very focused on the future and checking boxes. My mind is going fast and I’m prone to missing little thoughts and little details. I have an agenda to accomplish.
I have found that when I sit down and just be, it’s nearly impossible to not feel joy, wonder, and gratitude. There’s always a blessing to take in, and there’s so much goodness that surrounds me. I find it to be physically healing, in some ways. They say stress is a major contributor to many of the chronic illnesses that plague our day. What better way to counter stress than to sit in gratitude and wonder for a few minutes each day?
Priorities shine through
Of course, one of the hardest parts about being still is that you have to do it at the expense of not being still… and what could you be accomplishing if you were not resting right now?! So many things, right?
However, as I’ve spent a little more time being present, I’ve learned that my priorities aren’t always what I thought they were. When I allow myself to be still and rest, it’s easier for my thoughts to slow down as well and to just accept what is.
I don’t think any of these things are mind-blowing or unique experiences to my situation. We’ve all heard (and even experienced from time to time) the wonderful results of slowing down, resting, and being present. It’s mostly a matter of prioritizing it.
My invitation to you is to make a conscious choice this week to slow down! I can’t wait to hear how it goes.
