I find that there's often a rush that comes with a transition between seasons. Especially when it comes to fall and the end-of-the-year holidays, society and businesses tend to push 'festive spirits' earlier and earlier in advance. Halloween decorations hit the stores, pumpkin spice arrives, and Christmas makes its way into ads as early as the beginning of August.
It's hard to truly enjoy the seasons for what they are... seasons. I find that these moments, mindfully placed in time to pause, savor, and observe, can become erased or blurred when their boundaries get stretched too far.
I've been meaning to integrate intentional habits in my day-to-day that allow me to see more of the extraordinary in the midst of the mundane. In a period of seasonal transition, I thought, there's no better time to start than now.
Here are a few practices I'm going to try in an attempt to slow down. I hope you'll find them helpful too.
Mind Dumping
Journaling, even if the sentences are complete nonsense and the thoughts incoherent, has definitely helped me chase away anxiety and a rushed posture in the past. One of my English professors in college highly recommended this practice for writers or anyone creative. I found a significant increase in my creative output and a deepening in my personal friendships when I began writing in a daily journal.
I've let the ball drop on this and am going to start journaling 3-4 days during the week again. My goal is to write three pages in a single sitting, alongside some sketches in the margins.
Daily Bread
Finding time to reflect in the mornings and throughout the day has been the most effective way for me to slow down. Whether it's talking about life with my close friends or mentors, listening to the Bible Project, reading scripture, or talking with God, spending time with my Creator is essential to calm my mind.
I'm reminded of the this line from the Lord's Prayer, "Give us this day our daily bread." Looking too far ahead had made me miss blessings and opportunities I wish I wouldn't have passed up. He does not neglect His creation, even when it seems He has.
Without a daily reminder, I often trap myself in a loop of hyper-fixation and time begins rushing past me too quickly. My relationships suffer too, which is perhaps the biggest loss in a hurried lifestyle.
Reminding myself that I have all I need for the day allows me to stay present. It'd be nice to have all the savvy and wit of Dr. Who and then some, but I am grateful that I don't have to live up to that expectation.
Weekly Solo Dates
In a book called "The Artist's Way" author Julia Cameron encourages her readers to take themselves on weekly Artist Dates: simple outings or activities done weekly for the sake of taking a break and slowing down. I practiced these in college as well and was pleasantly surprised to find myself reliving some of the moments and joys I experienced in my younger years. Some of Cameron's suggested 'dates' include: a solo picnic, blowing bubbles outdoors, visiting a free museum, trying a new recipe while blasting your favorite album, thrifting a new accessory, or going on a hike.
Artist Dates made me feel more like a kid again and I loved it! Maybe I just need to read Cameron's book again...
