Why Slowing Down Can Help You Feel More Fulfilled
If you’re always on the go because everyone and everything is screaming at you to keep moving forward and you feel ashamed for stopping, even if it’s just to catch your breath, you’re not alone – that’s how many people feel, and it’s a big problem. You might feel that constantly moving means better productivity, more efficiency, and generally getting more done, but the truth is that you might be wrong, and in fact, constantly trying to get ahead could be doing you more harm than good and you might not be doing as much as you think. Yes, you’re always busy, but you’re not actually achieving all that much.
That’s why it’s crucial to slow down, even if it feels like the wrong thing to do – the key to a happy and fulfilled life might be doing less, but doing it well. And of course, slowing down isn’t just about relaxing (although that’s definitely a great perk!); it’s about making better memories and more meaningful moments and generally enjoying life more. With that in mind, keep reading to find out more about why slowing down can help you feel more fulfilled.
Try Mindful Living
One of the biggest benefits of slowing down is that it actually forces you (in a pleasant way) to be more mindful, which basically means you get to live in the present moment more and focus on the here and now rather than worry about the future or getting stressed about things that happened in the past. When you slow down, you’re able to really enjoy and savour your experiences, and it could be even the smallest of things like a cup of coffee in the morning or spending some quality time with a loved one – you’ll get to appreciate the small details that often get lost when you’re rushing ahead.
If you’re wondering how to practice mindfulness, there are a few things you can do, and a good place to start is by taking deep breaths throughout the day – it’s simple, but it’s a good way to pause for a moment, re-centre yourself, and be in the moment even if it’s just for a second. It’s also not a bad idea to create rituals through the day by turning standard activities like making a cup of tea into mindful moments by paying attention to every single thing you do – it really will make a difference so why not try it out?
Focus On Three Things
Slowing down can really feel very difficult, especially if you find you’re really used to speeding ahead and rushing through life, but it’s an important thing to do if you want to make the most of your life and enjoy it more without so much stress. To get started, there are three activities that can change your life that you can try out – and they’re nice and easy to do.
The first activity is journaling. Just take a few minutes each day to jot down your thoughts, ideas, or any reflections or revelations you might have had during the day, and it can be a fantastic way to get those things out of your head and perhaps even process your emotions more easily. What’s really great about journaling is that it’s so easy to do and you don’t need any fancy equipment. Plus, there’s no right or wrong way to do it, so whatever works for you is exactly the best way to journal, which is wonderful.
The next activity is to get out in nature and take a walk. Again, it’s very simple but it’s an activity that can have some amazing benefits, especially when it comes to making you slow down. Research shows that spending time in nature reduces stress, boosts creativity, and improves your mood, plus it’s a great opportunity to get away from screens for a while. Even 15 minutes of walking outside (or sitting outside if it comes to it) can make a massive and very positive difference to the rest of your day, and you’ll probably find you’re more productive, even if you take time out to enjoy a walk.
The final activity is personal development, which is going to be different for everyone, but will always be about growing as a person. It might mean reading, writing, studying, learning a new skill, or anything else, but as long as you’re investing time in yourself and getting better, it’s time well spent.
The Power Of Saying No
One of the biggest reasons many of us struggle with slowing down is that we have a lot of trouble saying no. It’s such a simple word, but it can feel bad to say it, and yes is generally the easier option, but that can lead to a lot of extra work or getting exhausted because you’re going to too many social events. In other words, saying yes to everything just leaves us feeling drained and stretched thin, and when that happens, we’re not productive at all – we can even get sick.
The thing to remember is that saying no isn’t a selfish thing to do, and it might even be the best thing to do. When you start saying no (assuming you really don’t want to or can’t do whatever it is you’re being asked to do – if you do want to and you can do it, then of course you should say yes), you’ll have more time to slow down and do things that really matter to you, so it’s a good thing to start learning – even if it’s a hard thing to learn.
So before you automatically say yes to something, take a moment to consider whether you really want or need to do the thing you’re being asked to do – if not, it’s time to say no. And when you do say no, be firm – you don’t have to explain in detail why you can’t say yes, but make sure they know you’re not going to change your mind. Remember, when you say no more often, you’ll be able to take better care of yourself, and you’ll be a better, happier, healthier person as a result.
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