Even for the extravert, hyper-energetic, outspoken folks... You'll feel that something just isn't right.
So, what do you do when you've discovered that you need to slow down?
How do you even begin to make monumental changes, strong enough to feel their calming impact?
If you want your life to slow down, you have to practice slowing down.
What would you do with extra time on your side?
The opportunities are endless.
Here are some of the things I've cut out of my life or drastically reduced to a minimal engagement with:
1. Television - We don't use cable. For years we haven't.
I grew up with my own tv set in my room, and many nights it kept me up watching old black and white movies until 3AM with school the next morning. Tsk. Tsk.
Seriously, though, that was our first major family step, and we didn't think about it too much. We use Netflix and set daily limits.
When the tv comes on, it's PBS. We never see commercials, and haven't for a long time.
The kids don't know what the latest toys are by missing out on all that marketing. Darn.
2. Media Restrictions - We set boundaries on media use.
No tv in the morning. 1 episode of PBS during lunch. Sometimes an afternoon movie gets selected, but that's becoming less these days, now that they have discovered the Rainbow Loom.
In the evening, we watch 2 short 11 minute episodes before bedtime.
3. Computer Restrictions - The kids get to set the timer for 20 minutes a piece to use the computer.
The weekends get more usage, but at least we have boundaries.
We have made great progress from the days where I'd keep the tv on for "background noise" when I felt alone.
Now that the noise is off, I'm really enjoying the sounds quiet has to offer.
4. Don't Do So Much - At one point, I was homeschooling, homemaking, being a wife (sort of), taking college classes (and being on the Dean's List), hosting coops, baby-sitting, and the list goes on.
I would back myself into a corner and book end my days with activities.
I remember being so stressed out, that I had to quit my baby-sitting job, because I had so much going on and was so maxed out with stress, that I couldn't speak clearly.
I had to put an end to that over-achiever, do-it-all attitude.
It was having a very negative effect on me.
5. Simplify Your Home - This is a process that's always in maintenance mode.
We've scaled back a lot of our excess items around here, but I am about to go on a rampage to eliminate more.
The less time you have to spend cleaning up your stuff, the more time you'll get to spend living life, making memories, and loving people, which are the true elements of happiness.
What area do you need the most help with?
Decide on one mission, and start drastically weeding things out of your life.
The more room you make, the more space you'll have to breathe, create, and just be.
