Even a small hike or just sitting outside helps remind me of seasonal time, which feels like such a relief from regular modern adulthood busy time. (But there’s knowing this and then actually making it happen when I can find a dozen other more “productive” uses of time.)
I LOVE the dance appointment idea!! We used to do dance breaks while homeschooling when the kids were little but haven’t done them in some years. I’m going to bring them back even if just for myself!
Thank you for this, Violeta! I really appreciate you naming the gap between knowing something and actually making it happen—that is where I live! and so happy you're going to bring back dance breaks xoxo
This was full of so much goodness. I agree wholeheartedly about the dress up days. I love your playlist. I always had a large collection of 80s CDs in college, things like New Wave Hits of the 80s (every volume), and many others and all my friends knew this so people would randomly stop by my house for impromptu dance parties. One of my friends had a particular fondness for "Groove is in the Heart" and it made me smile to see that on your list and think of him. What a gift! Hope you find some time to slow it down this week.
I love a good dance playlist! I grew up in a household where my mom would constantly break into song and dance, so bringing that back into my life helps me slow down and feel centered. I just made my own “Damn The Neighbors I’m ‘Bout to Scream Sing Some Ballads” playlist since I’ve been in a singing mood.
I loved this essay, thank you, Emily! So many wonderful ways to slow it down in your suggestions. Slow it down is a mantra I've had all year, in this huge year of transition for me, the rollercoaster of a divorce after three decades of marriage (my choice, but whew, what a ride!) and the rollercoaster, too, of dementia caregiving, so I've really needed to learn to slow it down and not get swept up in my worries and anxiety about a future more uncertain than ever. For me, what helps to slow it down is conscious, deep breaths, and closing my eyes and putting my hand on my heart while I breathe. I do that at my desk, in the car, in the midst of preparing a meal, whenever I feel that wave of stress coming over me, that dark wave that could drown me if I don't swim for shore. Acknowledging the emotion within me that is causing the frenetic pace in my mind or my actions also helps. Sitting with the fear or the anger or the anxiety. Once you are with it, not pushing it away, the emotion subsides, within a minute. So much easier to slow down then. And of course writing for me, is the most powerful way to slow down and that is why journaling is such a non-negotiable for me. Meditation and yoga are also great slowing down practices for me, as are walks in nature.
Thank you so much for this, Amy! love your slow-down strategies and yes to this reason being why writing is a non-negotiable—that resonates deeply with me xo
Even a small hike or just sitting outside helps remind me of seasonal time, which feels like such a relief from regular modern adulthood busy time. (But there’s knowing this and then actually making it happen when I can find a dozen other more “productive” uses of time.)
I LOVE the dance appointment idea!! We used to do dance breaks while homeschooling when the kids were little but haven’t done them in some years. I’m going to bring them back even if just for myself!
Thank you for this, Violeta! I really appreciate you naming the gap between knowing something and actually making it happen—that is where I live! and so happy you're going to bring back dance breaks xoxo
Love this article. And the picture of the rainbow. Wow.
Thank you, Kay!
This was full of so much goodness. I agree wholeheartedly about the dress up days. I love your playlist. I always had a large collection of 80s CDs in college, things like New Wave Hits of the 80s (every volume), and many others and all my friends knew this so people would randomly stop by my house for impromptu dance parties. One of my friends had a particular fondness for "Groove is in the Heart" and it made me smile to see that on your list and think of him. What a gift! Hope you find some time to slow it down this week.
Thank you for sharing this, Shana! Love that you were the keeper of the New Wave Hits CDs in college. I hope you find some slow time this week, too xo
I love a good dance playlist! I grew up in a household where my mom would constantly break into song and dance, so bringing that back into my life helps me slow down and feel centered. I just made my own “Damn The Neighbors I’m ‘Bout to Scream Sing Some Ballads” playlist since I’ve been in a singing mood.
i love this, Lyss. that playlist title is incredible!! if you're willing to share a link or some of the songs, I'd love to know...
Here it is! Some classics plus a lot of my own taste: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7KSlWPy2saFsdEA7kdvcXO?si=6u-lpjrxQeyo4JrL1mnhAA&pi=u-XQR6rbxqQLSf
I feel like belting out ballads is a potent form of therapy
Thank you for this gift 💛
Just sent this to my friend Callie who is currently driving and needed exactly this right now-- KISMET!
I loved this essay, thank you, Emily! So many wonderful ways to slow it down in your suggestions. Slow it down is a mantra I've had all year, in this huge year of transition for me, the rollercoaster of a divorce after three decades of marriage (my choice, but whew, what a ride!) and the rollercoaster, too, of dementia caregiving, so I've really needed to learn to slow it down and not get swept up in my worries and anxiety about a future more uncertain than ever. For me, what helps to slow it down is conscious, deep breaths, and closing my eyes and putting my hand on my heart while I breathe. I do that at my desk, in the car, in the midst of preparing a meal, whenever I feel that wave of stress coming over me, that dark wave that could drown me if I don't swim for shore. Acknowledging the emotion within me that is causing the frenetic pace in my mind or my actions also helps. Sitting with the fear or the anger or the anxiety. Once you are with it, not pushing it away, the emotion subsides, within a minute. So much easier to slow down then. And of course writing for me, is the most powerful way to slow down and that is why journaling is such a non-negotiable for me. Meditation and yoga are also great slowing down practices for me, as are walks in nature.
Thank you so much for this, Amy! love your slow-down strategies and yes to this reason being why writing is a non-negotiable—that resonates deeply with me xo
More so this year I have been having the feeling to hibernate and slow way down. I am considering SLOW as a word of the year for 2024!
Love the metaphor of the burning cart...yes!
Agreed, Tammy!! Love SLOW as the word of the year - yes to that xo
Love this article. And the picture of the rainbow. Wow.