Go Slow When Life Speeds Up

Remember how waiting for Christmas felt so slow as a kid? It seemed to take forever!

The older I get, the quicker a year flies by. That same speeding up seems to be happening to my weeks and days too! I liken the feeling to walking on a treadmill that just keeps speeding up, and if you don’t jump off, you’ll end up crashing because you can’t keep up.

In the midst of all the hurry, the wisest thing you can do is to SLOW DOWN!

The Myth

I know that sounds crazy, maybe even impossible. You may be operating under the same myth I did for many years: I don’t have enough time

The truth is that I do have all the time I need, however what is limited is my capacity. I want to be able to fit more into my life than is humanly possible. I don’t believe that God truly has rest for me, so I keep doing life at a frantic pace.

The Real Bummer

The more frantic your pace, the more likely you are to…

• Make mistakes
• Forget important things
• Spin out of control
• Wear yourself out
• Not take time to reflect
• Skip life-giving activities, including rest
• Struggle to be present
• Miss out on being creative

That’s a bummer for everyone, especially you!

Notice What Speeds You Up

I start hurrying when deadlines loom, a trip is on the horizon, or when there is an event for our continually growing family. November and December are typically very full months with the holidays, extra social events, and the end of work duties too!

When does the pace pick up for you?

Slow Down

Here are simple ways to relax your pace when life or work speeds up:

1. Pause & Breathe

The more your pace picks up, the shallower you tend to breathe. It’s true!

Stress causes shallow breathing and shallow breathing creates stress. It’s a vicious cycle!

Additionally, shallow breathing makes your body vulnerable to illness and panic attacks – both good reasons to slow down and breathe deep!

2. Take A Walk

Walking is good for your mind and body! It doesn’t have to be a 10 mile walk to make a difference! A brisk 30-minute walk releases endorphins, improves cognitive function, combats mental and physical fatigue, improves your memory, increases your creativity, and more!

After your walk, you’ll perform much better!

3. Pray

Hurrying may be a sign that you think you have to make it all happen. The truth is that you need the help of the One who loves you most and has the power to intervene.

In addition to praying, consider reciting or meditating on scripture, dwelling on who God is, or using an app like ABIDE  or Lectio 365 to slow down. These activities also positively influence your perspective.

4. Sip Tea

Even if tea isn’t your beverage of choice, sipping on something is the perfect time to let your mind wander. It’s comforting and relaxing!

Warm beverages like tea, coffee, hot chocolate, or hot cider are all pleasant in the chilly moths. In the heat of summer ice tea, sparkling water, or kombucha are quite refreshing.

5. Encourage Someone

Shifting your focus onto others is lovely way to slow down and remember that you aren’t the center of the universe.

You might encourage someone by writing them a short note, a happy text, or giving them a call! Or reach out to someone on Facebook or LinkedIn and brighten their day. Let someone know how they have blessed you.

Your efforts will encourage both of you!

6. Doodle

What’s beautiful about doodling is that there is no right or wrong way to do it. It’s an easy way to get creative even if you only have a few minutes. All you need is a scrap of paper and something to draw with.

Are you ready to take doodling to the next level? Consider an adult coloring book or go a step further and try your hand at reverse coloring – there are dozens of options!

7. Observe

Take the time to notice the people around you. What are they doing? What might they be feeling? When have you felt that way?

Observe nature – it’s all around! What stands out to you as you take in God’s amazing world?

Count your blessings – it’s all about being mindful!

8. Journal

Sorting out your thoughts, feelings, or what needs to be done in writing is a fantastic way to process and clear your head. Journaling allows you to explore your inner world in important ways when you slow down long enough to do it!

9. Read

What’s better than getting lost in a captivating story or discovering some valuable insights? A wealth of imagination and information is awaiting you in a book!

You will learn and experience some wonderful new things and that’s a big bonus!

10. Master the Art of Margin

You may be picking you your pace by scheduling back to back activities. You need space between activities. That isn’t wasted time – it is necessary time if you want to show up focused and centered.

Get in the habit of leaving margin between!

11. Do What You Love!

I often ask people what they enjoy doing for fun. I’m always thrilled when someone is able to quickly share what those activities are.

Sometimes people share their fun activities and quickly follow up with “and it’s been a long time since I’ve been able to do it. When I hear that, it makes me sad.

Even worse are those who don’t give themselves permission to engage in what they enjoy doing. I love my work too – I really do, but you still need energizing activities in your life!

What do you love doing? Is it a hobby like stained glass or gardening? Do you love reading like I do? Is fishing life-giving to you? Maybe it’s hiking, time with friends, working a puzzle or building something. Whatever it is, make space for it. Even 15 or 30 minutes of doing something that makes your heart happy is beneficial.

12. Savor Your Food

Eat slowly, chew, and chew some more! Savor the flavors. It’s great for your digestion too!

No multitasking… just savoring your food.

You eat multiple times a day, so you get to practice slowing down often!

13. Speak Slowly

How does moving at full-throttle affect your communication? I know I’m more impatient, snippy, or skip communicating altogether, which leads to issues that take up even more of my precious time.

Communicating well slows you down, but in the long run, it also saves you time. It also nurtures your relationships and lessens future frustrations!

14. Appreciate Silence

The world is a noisy! Silence is rare and so is being still.

Notice the people around you – odds are they are glued to their phones.

Appreciating silence is easier when you unplug. Does the thought of unplugging make you anxious?

While your need for silence might not be as great as mine, you still need quiet in your life. Moments where you are present, mindful, and able to process!

15. Calming Exercise

If you are a driven person, your drive has probably influenced the way you exercise…or don’t!

Rather than conquering exercise, what if you did Yoga, Tai Chi, stretching, fascia release moves, or Pilates? Calming exercise that also provides another opportunity to practice slowing down!

16. Organize

Organizing always slips to the bottom of the list when your life speeds up. When items go missing, it wastes time and is frustrating!

Even organizing in small chunks is helpful and it’s therapeutic!

17. Set Limits

You can’t do it all! What limits do you need in your life or work? Here are a few ideas:

• • • Go on an information diet – limit the amount of incoming information that you indulge in.
    • Take a social media sabbatical or confine your social media activity into one or two short sessions.
    • Remove social media from your phone and only access it on your computer.
    • Allow yourself just one meeting a day or schedule meetings on specific days.
    • Leave the office at a set time everyday no matter what.
    • Don’t take work home.

18. Watch the Sun

The sun rises and sets every day! It’s a remarkable display of God’s creativity!

When was the last time you watched the sun rise or set?

19. Take Your Time

Challenge yourself to go slower. Get in the longest checkout line or take the long way home.

Mindfully do one task at a time and practice taking your time. (You have all the time you need!)

20. Connect

You were made for relationship. Connecting is good!

Regularly enjoy the beautiful people God’s placed in your life. Have lunch with a co-worker, meet a friend for coffee. Make connecting a consistent part of your life. It’s much more satisfying than social media!

It’s Your Turn

I’ve shared twenty simple ways for you to move at a slower and more deliberate pace. However, if you don’t address the funky thinking that is urging you to speed up, you will continue to spin your wheels.

I dare you to slow down! Jump off that treadmill. Rework your life in a way that invites you to prioritize, say no, and not stretch yourself so thin. I want you to experience more peace and joy! Isn’t that what you really want?

What causes you to speed up? What impact does that have on you?

Participate in the Slow Down Group Coaching Cohort beginning 9/8/26 at 4:30pm ET. LEARN MORE.

Originally posted on 11/12/19, this post has been updated and revised just for you!