When someone asks you how you're doing, do you answer "so busy"? Most Americans equate success with being busy, getting things done and their accomplishments. How much you’ve gotten done on your "to do list" is the pinnacle of success. But are you happy? Maybe it's time to slow down, start enjoying life and finding joy in the little moments.
Last year I planted a large flower garden with the help of my husband. I wanted to photograph the flowers, the bees, birds and butterflies that came to visit. Our two new kittens loved playing in the garden and each day they looked forward to romping through the flower "forests" of tall cosmos growing six feet and taller. I purposely slowed down to "smell the roses" and I'm so glad I did. I created a GabTV channel with videos of my garden and my forays into heaven here on earth. The videos include soft music and no talking. I am very audio sensitive.
Goofing Off
Some of us have forgotten what it's like to "goof off" and do nothing. Let's take some time right now to learn how to develop habits of slow living. (Make sure to check out the free printable PDF guide.)
7 Days of Slow Living + Printable Guide
Meditation
My integrative cardiologist recommended several lifestyle changes and one was meditation to help with high blood pressure and managing stress. I'd never tried it before but found that once I got the hang of just letting my body relax and my focusing on nothing...I know, it sounds weird, but that's the key to getting the most out of meditation. I like this one. It made me go limp like a rag doll within the first 30 seconds. Something about water with me. Happy Place Meditation: Relax and Fall Asleep Faster. Another guided meditation I keep coming back to, is this one by The Honest Guys on YouTube.
Be Creative
Last winter (2021-2022), I learned to paint watercolor. First I only doodled with some inexpensive paints. It wasn't long before I invested in better quality materials because I enjoyed it so much. I signed up for online classes spending two months with a teacher before moving on to another subject, technique or style. I painted every day for six months and I loved every minute. I could "lose myself" for hours and forget everything else but painting. I always loved to color when I was a kid. I could take a coloring book and crayons anywhere and color when bored or stressed. Coloring was my "coping mechanism" then and it works great now.
Find something you love to do that encourages your creative juices to flow. Put down your cellular device and allow yourself to use your imagination. Slow down, relax and let your mind wander back to what it was you loved to do most growing up. Rediscover your inner child, let the fun begin again.
We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing.
— George Bernard Shaw
Feature Photo for the post is by Susanna Marsiglia on Unsplash