why we don't slow down
3 (not so good) reasons
Is it just me, or does urgency seem to be everywhere. And its symptoms too: burnout, overwhelm, adrenal fatigue. We appear to be running ourselves into the ground. So why don't we slow down?
I've uncovered 3 (not-so-good) reasons and practical antidotes:
1. If I slow down, I'll be even more behind. This reason includes a belief that slowing down is going to take an awfully long time and a tremendous amount of energy. It's imagining the runaway train grinding to a complete stop. But what if slowing down can be quick and rich? Like 5 deep breaths. Laying down for a few minutes. A slow walk without stimulation. Try it.
2. Slowing down has become uncomfortable. Ever go to "rest" and find yourself fidgety, checking your phone, mind gnawing at some menial task like the laundry, dishes, or an email? This is chronic sympathetic activation unraveling. Use an on-ramp: a guided meditation, NSDR, breathwork, rolling or a restorative pose.
3. It's not valued. Going, doing, achieving, succeeding have become high values and measurements of worth. Rest, slow, still, gentle is the antithesis of all that. Rile up your inner rebel because rest and restoration is now counter-cultural. If it's uncomfortable and vulnerable, you've hit a nerve. Expect real and radical results to unfurl.
How do you contend with the speed, pace, and noise we're swimming in? What do you think of these? What would you add?
Need resources for practicing rest and restoration? The Create Calm Mini-Course is a great place to start and it's part of the free Intro Membership in the App. Download here.
In the 20 Minute Miracle Toolkit, there are excellent breathwork and meditation recordings. Get a monthly Subscription here. Save with an Annual Membership here.
May your practice include radical slowness and stillness,
Alison
