The Sunday Pause #1: Navigating the Challenges of Intentional Living in a Fast-Paced World
Firstly, welcome to The Sunday Pause, a weekly series designed to be a dedicated space, for paid members, for reflection and intentional living.
Amid our fast-paced world, this series invites you to take a pause, a moment of quiet contemplation on Sundays, to navigate the intricacies of intentional living. Here, we'll explore the essence of living with purpose, share practical tips, and create a ritual that allows you to intentionally shape your week. Join us in this weekly pause, as we navigate intentional living in our bustling lives.
In the relentless rhythm of our modern lives, where every second seems accounted for, the concept of intentional living stands out as both a beacon of hope and a daunting challenge. A beacon of hope because we know, we hope, we desire that there must be a better way. But a daunting challenge because so often we just don’t know where to begin. And sometimes the beginning is the biggest part. When we don’t feel like we know what we’re doing or even what our intentions are, we begin to get imposter syndrome and before we know it we just don’t begin and instead get caught in the trap of never beginning even though we want to.
As we navigate through the hustle and bustle of a fast-paced world, intentional living becomes not just a choice but a conscious rebellion against the constant demands competing for our attention. Today I want to take you on a journey and help you see how the fast-paced world we live in can contribute to our feelings, and how slowing down is a rebellious act.
Today I have some really exciting things to share:
A deep dive into slowing down and why it’s become a movement of change in our modern society.
Some guided journal questions/thought starters on what life looks like now, and what slowing down would do in your life.
A guided meditation on how you can find serenity amongst the rush.
My downloadable Imperfect Slow Living Guide.
Mindful Exercises to help you find some space between the busyness over the coming year.
All of this + my monthly premium podcast episode coming this Tuesday.
Slowing down is a radical act. Amid a culture that frequently celebrates speed, efficiency, and ceaseless productivity, opting to slow down confronts society’s prevailing narrative that unrelenting busyness is the only way to live.
Time and time again, when I welcome guests onto my podcast and we talk about slow and simple living or holistic wellbeing, we always come to the point of “What was the catalyst that encouraged you to make a change?” Without fail, for most people, the pandemic was a line in the sand, a point in time where things changed for them, for good.
For many people, pre-pandemic they were happy with their “normal” life. They were fine with the life they had, the world they lived in. They were happy with it all. Or so they thought.
When the world shut down in March 2020 none of us knew what the future held. I even remember saying to my husband one day that I found it strange not being able to look ahead, the future felt so uncertain. Then one day life went back to normal. I mean, as we lived it it didn’t seem that quick, or that normality resumed quickly, but looking back now it seems like suddenly life was back to how it always was.
When we were deep in lockdowns and restrictions, as rubbish as that entire period was, it brought with it a level of simplicity and I think this is why it comes up so often when we talk about simple living. When the world shut down, for so many people life changed inexplicably in a moment, our study ground felt uneasy and the future seemed unclear. For those who didn’t have to continue working outside the home, life became this little bubble. Everything slowed down, only the most simple things mattered, we started being more careful about the things we purchased, we were more creative in the kitchen and our world was what existed inside our four walls.
I know this wasn’t the case for everyone and many circumstances were so far removed from this reality, but it is just something that comes up time and time again.
When the lockdowns finished and as restrictions were finally lifted we kept hearing about how things were going back to normal. I couldn’t wait for life to open up again but something sat uncomfortably with me, and it was the aspect of going back to normal. I didn’t want to go back to normal. And neither did so many others.
For 18 months we’d seen a taste of a different life. A life where things were slower and simpler, where there was a better balance between work and home life, where we were able to spend more time together as a family, where more time was spent on the smaller moments, where we were less busy and more present.
Normal whatever that meant had no place in my life anymore.
Now of course the pandemic didn’t make everyone become this raging slow living advocate, but now more than ever people are feeling the urge to slow down. They can feel the fast paced cycle our world has us in, that push to make us live like we’re always switched on, always connected and always on the go. Productivity and hustle are rewarded by the encouragement of more productivity and hustle until we inevitably head for burnout.
As humans, it isn’t normal for us to be operating like this consistently. There are times for speed and then there are times for slowness.
If you are feeling the pull for more serenity and more simplicity then you are in the right place. Throughout this year, week by week and month by month we’re going to slow it all right down. We’re going to uncover how we feel about the pace of modern society, about the ways we feel about our life and how we can find space between the noise to slow down and start to carve out a life of intention.
Slowing down is a radical act. In a world that often glorifies speed, efficiency, and constant productivity, slowing down challenges the narrative of perpetual busyness. Deliberately embracing a slower approach becomes a revolutionary declaration of one's commitment to personal wellbeing, mindfulness, and genuine connection first and foremost. It is an assertion that values quality over quantity, depth over superficiality, and presence over perpetual distraction.
Slowing down allows for introspection, fostering a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us. In a society that often races towards the next thing, slowing down invites us to reclaim control over our time, savour life's simple pleasures, and rediscover the profound beauty in the present moment.
This week, here are some journal prompts you might want to think about:
1. Reflect on Your Pace:
In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle. Take a moment to reflect on your current pace of life. How would you describe the speed at which you're moving through your days? Consider both the positive and challenging aspects of this pace. Are there areas where slowing down could enhance your wellbeing and overall satisfaction?
2. Identify Moments of Presence:
Think about your typical day and identify moments when you feel fully present and engaged in the present moment. These could be small, everyday occurrences. What activities or situations allow you to slow down and savour the experience? Explore how you can intentionally incorporate more of these moments into your routine. What changes could you make to create space for mindful presence amidst the busyness?
3. Prioritise Slow Living Values:
Slow living emphasises a more intentional and mindful approach to life, encouraging us to savour moments, prioritise meaningful connections, and appreciate the beauty in simplicity. Reflect on your core values and how they align with the principles of slow living. Are there areas in your life where you could align your actions more closely with these values? Consider one specific change you could make to foster a slower, more intentional pace in that aspect of your life.
You might want to try this guided meditation I recorded for you, titled ‘Serenity Amidst the Rush’:
Download the Imperfect Slow Living Guide
Mindful exercises you might want to try to help you embrace the slow down this week:
1. Minute Mindful Breathing:
Take a minute to focus on your breath. Inhale slowly for a count of four, hold your breath for a count of two, and exhale for a count of six. Repeat this cycle for one minute, allowing the rhythm of your breath to bring you into the present moment.
2. Candle Gazing:
Light a candle and place it at eye level. Gaze at the flame, allowing your mind to settle on its gentle movement. Focus on your breath and the calming presence of the flame, bringing your attention to the present moment.
3. Mindful Tea or Coffee Break:
Take a break with a cup of tea or coffee. Engage all your senses by noticing the warmth of the mug, the aroma of the beverage, and the taste with each sip. Let this short break become a mindful ritual in your day.
Thank you so much for joining me today - I would love to know what you thought about the contents of this post so please be sure to leave me a comment or question. The Sunday Pause is your place, a premium community member where you can rest and recalibrate. I am so excited to dive into slow and simple living with you and I am so grateful to have you here.
Keep an eye on your inbox on Tuesday as my first premium podcast episode of 2024 is dropping.
Until then,
