10 ways to Create Slow

It’s busy. Don’t we all know it and feel it. This last month of the year, last month of the decade. Last final weeks of the school term, or work winding up. Rather than get caught up in the frantic overwhelm, I’m going to share a few ideas with you on how you can move through this season with intention, mindfulness and create slow in your days.

So, here we are - it’s December, which, regardless of your religion and celebrations (or not), seems to be the busiest most intense month of the year.

Don’t you think?

Not to mention, the last month of this decade! Yeah - like we needed any more ‘look ahead to the new year, shiny new thing’ that seems to happen in December.

With all this in mind, I thought I’d share some of my Slow Intentional Mindful -type talk with you. You up for some of that?

Slow Seasons - how to be in and enjoy the moments before the excitement, to linger in the quiet in-between spaces, and to slow down the busy & overwhelm. 

This week, for the first time ever, I forgot a meeting. It wasn’t until the phone call asking when I’d be there that my brain remembered. I’d double-booked myself which is so rare, even though I’m not the best diary-keeper.

Here’s a few things I need to remind myself, and thought you might like to be reminded too:

1: Firstly breathe & breathe & breathe.

Right now put your device down / move away from your desktop, close your eyes, and breathe deeply through your nose. And then gently exhale, again through your nose. Allow your stomach to soften. Let that stress and overwhelm leave your body, even if for only a moment. Do this now, I’m waiting. I’m breathing too. 

2: Secondly, be gentle with yourself.

When you’re late with a deadline, or forget an appointment, or can’t bake / make something for the ‘bring a plate’ event — it’s ok. It’s so so totally ok. Forgive yourself with the same generosity that you forgive your friends and co-workers. Apologise and then move on. Being gentle with our mistakes, flaws, overly-ambitious expectations is hard to do, but so valuable when you can learn to remember that you’re humanness means you can’t do everything.

3:Remember to say no.

It’s ok to not attend every single event in the upcoming month. It’s ok to have days at home instead of appeasing others. It’s ok to politely say no to the things that don’t align with your ethos, your calendar, your energy. Say no and then move on, guilt-free. I know this can be hard, but please do continue to practise this. And continue it as long as you need. Remember, saying no gives space for you to say yes to the right things. (Which are sometimes an extra hour in bed, a morning in the garden, an afternoon making gifts or baking, an evening at home with family playing board games and enjoying the slow moments).

4: Get off social media, the computer, the internet, your device.

Yep, it’s a bit stupid I’m using a device to tell you this, and you’re using a device to read this. But straight away after you’ve finished… put the device away, turn off your computer, silence all calls / notifications. Read a book, go for a walk, lie on the couch, draw a drawing, write a list (get the stress out of your head and onto paper), talk to a tree, pat a pet, go for a walk with a child, ride your bike, make biscuits. Ignore your device for as many hours as you can - don’t answer messages unless urgent, and resist that ridiculous little niggling urge to check in with instagram or facebook.

5: Do things simply and be content with a less is more approach.

Let some of your perfections slip a little; embrace imperfections. Delegate and let someone else do a job, and allow it to be ‘ok’. It could be allowing your children to decorate the Christmas tree, or your partner to wrap the gifts, or your co-workers to organise the end of year gathering. It doesn’t matter, letting go of controlling everything can be hard, especially when there’s so much pressure for things to be magical, and wonderful and a ‘perfect celebration’.

6: Make your own gifts or gift an experience of learning.

You could make up a gift voucher for time to teach someone something you can do. Teaching someone how to bake, sew, crochet, weave, make a pot, plant a garden, paint (etc etc etc) is the sort of giving that goes on and on; way beyond a broken plastic made-in-a-factory gift. Or perhaps gift them a workshop to learn something they’ve always wanted to know; you could go along with them and it becomes a relationship-building experience as well.

7: Check in with yourself.

I think maybe this is the most important one of all. Make a pot of tea, sit on the verandah or in the garden. Put your device away, and just be for even five minutes. We can all manage five minutes - can’t we. Can we? Can you?! Really listen to yourself, how are you going today? Be honest and allow the quietness to give space for your thoughts, feelings, emotions.

8: Be where you are.

If you have to end up going to lots of end of year events, then be fully present at each one. Don’t be rushing off, or annoyed that you’re there. Sometimes we simply have to do the things, and can’t get out of them. Leaning into being present at each activity actually makes it more enjoyable, and you appreciate it a bit more.

When you’re driving and stuck in traffic, or behind a slow car, or the line at the post office is very long, or slow people are walking in front of you in the street, you can become frustrated and try to hurry along - it never changes the pace of someone else. Or you can simply take that moment to slow for a little bit, and settle back. Look around and simply enjoy watching the goings-on around you. You can be present somewhere without taking on the stress from others around you.

9: Sleep well.

Yes…. this can be a hard one in general, can’t it. I think mostly our society is sleep-deprived. So, actively choose to not stay up watching another episode of your new favourite show, or a repeat of that Christmas movie you actually really like that much. Turn devices off, read a real book for a little while, then roll over and go to sleep at a decent hour. Say 10pm. Is that too early?! (actually, I’d much prefer 8.30 if I’m being honest).

10: Drink water.

Do I say this every single time? It’s so so necessary. Especially if you’re going to lots of events and gatherings, and drinking a bit too much alcohol or eating too much food. Delicious beautiful water is the best for keep your brain more focussed, helps your skin stay clearer, and keeps your whole systems fresh and boosted. I find that when I’m not being in the moment, I can forget to drink enough water, and getting slightly dehydrated isn’t good for mental clarity, overwhelm and energy levels.

If you really don’t love the taste of fresh beautiful water, you can add some fresh lemon, mint leaves, berries perhaps, fresh ginger.

I hope I needn’t say to carry a water bottle with you, and refill as needed. If you want to buy a new one for yourself, or gift one for someone, Biome has an amazing selection (affiliate link).

*I receive a small commission if you purchase through this link. It is no extra cost to you, but the company pays me a tiny % by recommending them to you. You can read about my affiliate links here.