Take Time to Slow Down

Don’t Forget to Slow Down

As we’re wrapping up the Thanksgiving Season and heading into Christmas, I’m amazed at how overwhelming this time of year can be!  Between juggling a hundred things at work, remodeling our house, planning a move, and just generally doing life stuff, I’m finding it harder and harder to slow down and reflect.

But I need to.

We all need to!  Not only do we need to slow down and appreciate the good in life, we need to stop and enjoy life.  It’s not enough to just recognize the season.  It’s important to slow down, quiet the soul, and just soak in life every now and again.

When the world seems to be spinning out of control, it’s very hard to take the time to slow down.  Boy, is it necessary, though!  As I sit here writing this, I’ve got a dozen different things buzzing through my head.  People I need to call at work tomorrow.  Chores I need to do.  A friend I need to make a card for. What I’m going to cook for dinner tomorrow night.  And then I reminded myself why I’m writing this particular blog post right now.

It’s because I need to be reminded that it’s ok to let some things go and slow down a little.  And if I need the reminder, I’m pretty sure there are plenty of others who need that reminder too!  And so I’m taking a few minutes to just be here.  To breathe, to sit still, to close my eyes and enjoy a moment of silence.

Challenge Revisited

A few weeks ago, as November was just getting started, I shared a post about 8 Ways to Develop an Attitude of Gratitude this Thanksgiving.  I’ve tried to pause every so often and reflect on the challenge I gave myself at the beginning of the month.  In many ways, I’ve done great!  I’ve smiled more, and I’ve taken the time to count my blessings and my struggles.  However, my morning routine has failed miserably this month…so that’s something I will definitely be working on improving during December!  (Does anyone else find it hard to be motivated to get out of bed when it’s ridiculously cold?)

Along with a consistent morning routine, a good bedtime routine is key.  I haven’t done so well there this past month, either.  Our schedule has been all over the place lately.  Going to bed near the same time each night is apparently impossible.  Plus, I’m realizing more and more that if I don’t take time in the evening before bed to plan out the upcoming day, I go through the whole day in reaction mode.  However, if I take 20 minutes before bedtime to wind down, reflect, and de-program my brain, then take notes and make a plan for the next day, I find that I start out in the morning with purpose and a plan!  I approach the day proactively, not reactively.

It’s OK to Stop

I have to remind myself again and again that it’s ok to stop.  It’s not the end of the world if something doesn’t get done, or I forget a memo.  It’s all right if I don’t have everything just so all the time.  Yes, I’m a perfectionist.  While that forces me to keep things together and do well at everything I do, it also makes me stress about the little things that don’t line up.

And so I tell myself, yet again, that it’s ok not to be perfect sometimes.  Let’s be real for a moment.  We can put forth a perfect front and spend our whole lives trying to live up to our perceived perfection, or we can shrug it off and be ok with imperfection.

This Holiday Season, I think I will choose that imperfection.  I will let go of the need to be perfect, to accomplish everything, and relax a little!  I’m going to slow down and choose to enjoy the little moments that make life wonderful.

Yes, I’m going to work hard to make sure I stay on track.  I’m going to commit to taking bedtime and morning routines seriously.  But I’m also going to enjoy sitting back often to reflect on the little things and learn to enjoy them more!

What about you?  Will you take a few moments as we wrap up November and dive into a new month to commit to being a better you this season?  Share your commitment below in the comments!

If you need a little extra inspiration, read all about how to change your attitude for gratitude right here.  And don’t forget to sign up for our mailing list below to stay up to date with everything happening around here!

Thanks for joining me in the journey,