Slowing down for gratitude

Slowing down is pretty underrated.

Filling our days with activities (that we may not necessarily like to do) makes us feel accomplished. Because we treat being busy like a badge of honour. 

In 2017, I was doing just that… and pretty well might I add. When I wasn’t studying, I was working, rehearsing for the uni dance ensemble production, volunteering and filling my days with activities upon activities. I had no time to slow down, and frankly, I didn’t see the point. 

But slowing down and intentionally blocking ‘me time’ is necessary.

Relaxing should be treated like a badge of honour. 

Gratitude?

Because of this busyness, we’re also fantastic at ignoring the little things. The important things. 

Usually in this mode, we’re on a mission for something, an end goal. Whether that be money, status, or simply to share the societal pride of being busy. But by always focusing on the next task on the to do list, we’re never focused on what fulfils us in the present moment. 

In movies, you see the workaholic who ends up prioritising work and deadlines over family. The ones who never see what they have until it’s too late. 

Similarly, I spent many days  alone, studying (aka rote memorising) for tests and exams. I never gave myself time to realise what I was taking for granted. I ignored my need for social connection and my health - core values of mine that I subconsciously thought could ‘deal with it’. 

We just need a tiny reminder every now and again to slow down. To be present. To be grateful for the stuff that can ‘wait’. 

What does slowing down do?

I realised the importance of slowing down for gratitude later on in uni. 

Once I began appreciating the ‘little’ things, and prioritising them in my life, this happened:

1. I became less stressed

This is no surprise. Because the things I was taking for granted included my physical health and my friends and social circle. Having broken out of tunnel vision mode, I stopped assuming my mental and physical wellbeing would somehow deal with it. 

2. I noticed aspects of my life that needed to be changed

When you slow down, you realise what is and isn’t working in your life. It wasn’t until exchange that I realised how misaligned my previous jobs were to my values, and how disengaged I was. 

You might begin to see relationships that aren’t working out, your habits (that you may want to change) amongst others. 

By taking a large step back, you can observe your life as an empathetic outsider. 

3. You complain less

When you slow down you reflect. When you reflect you might think about what you’re grateful for. 

I didn’t start doing this until 2017-18. I began to write tiny things, big things, anything, that I took for granted, that I actually appreciated. 

Once you start being grateful, you complain less. You might uncover new opportunities, and become flexible and happy with what you have. 

How do we slow down?

I force myself to allocate a time to slow down and reflect. Because god knows how long it’d be until I ‘felt like it’. 

It could be 5 minutes in the morning, after brushing my teeth. It could be on the train to work. It doesn’t matter, as long as you reflect. 

And how to reflect?

I personally prefer writing it down. Maybe a list, maybe a paragraph, whatever I feel that day. 

I’ll think about what i’m taking for granted at that moment, and whether I’d be happy if this continued. I’ll think about how I can allocate time to prioritise these things e.g blocking out time for friends and family. 

Of course, there’s no right way to do it. If you don’t like writing, that’s cool. 

You could just think about it instead. Simply being aware of these things can be just as effective, as long as whatever method you choose provokes action.  

Eh…really? Gratitude?

Some people think gratitude is wishy washy feel good shit. 

…So what? What’s so bad about that? 

If it helps me to take it easy and appreciate what I have right now, I’ll have it on tap. 

It changes how we behave, what we dedicate our time to - if we actually give it some thought. 

And it’s not like this:

A: “God my throat’s super itchy”

B: “JUST BE GRATEFUL YOU HAVE A THROAT.” 

But something more like this:

A: Life’s a bit hectic at the moment. I really appreciate that I have people I can depend on to get through it. 

Slowing down gives time to reflect. To properly acknowledge what you’re grateful for. 

It can get you out of a tough time. It can direct your focus to something meaningful. Something that speeding up might whiz past. 

…Guess it’s time to slow down :)

Jo x