I started observing people and noticed that ALMOST all of them are in a hurry. Are you one of them?
- The driver on the road was often changing lanes and going past the speed limit.
Does the driver badly need to go to the toilet or the driver is in a hurry to die instantly?
- The mum was shopping as fast as she can while the baby was fast asleep in the pram. I could only guess that she could no longer do anything else when the baby starts crying. I know that feeling.
- The guy was focused on his conversation on his phone that he spoke so fast, oblivious to the environment he was in. He looked tense.
- The young man was busy tapping on his smartphone while trying to gobble up his sandwich during his break. The sandwich looked delicious for me but he didn’t notice how yummy it was.
- Random people were walking past me with their minds far away because I could see it in their face. They were so deep in thought either over thinking or already too tired to think further.
Sad to say, I am one of those people in a hurry too. Are you like me?
- I was surprised to see that I was already on my last gulp of coffee. I was lost in my thoughts contemplating on how to multi-task the errands of the day. I didn’t get the chance to appreciate how good the coffee was.
- As a mum, I was already thinking about Monday when it was only Sunday morning.
I tried not to rush things and observed what happened. I decided to take it slow. Here are the 10 advantages on my list.
- The food and drink tasted differently.
I usually order a chicken burger when I am not in the mood to cook for myself. One day, I decided to look at my food (with intense focus ) no background music/smartphone to distract me and slowly ate it.
I discovered it was too salty for me! All these years, I barely noticed the flavor because I was in a hurry to finish it. On the other hand, savoring every bite of a chocolate cake is bliss. Mmm.
Coffee and tea are great drinks to enjoy when relaxed. Eating at a slow pace makes you appreciate the food more (or not).
Photo by Markus Spiske
- Fewer mistakes
You tend to forget something when you are in a hurry. You see the details clearly when you are not in a rush. The horror of forgetting your smartphone! keys!wallet with your money or credit card in it!
- You enjoy what you do.
Sometimes you are in a fantastic place like the beach, park or even your favorite shop but you are multi-tasking like tapping on your phone, calling someone or your mind is a busy superhighway of information stressing you out.
The beauty of the place wasn’t cherished because you were in a hurry for tomorrow’s duties and responsibilities.
I chose to sat down on the beach and felt the waves and the sand and observed my family enjoying the sea. I was mentally present.
Photo by Sebastien Gabriel
Why do I need to hurry in the first place? Immediately go home and do the ironing? Nope.
- You are choosing the path to a healthier life.
It is part of our existence to be in a hurry sometimes, you cannot avoid it. However, if it becomes a constant part of your routine, it is a wake-up call to manage your time wisely. You are stressed when you dash here and there. It will affect your health in the long run.
I am still a work in progress on this but one good thing that came out in slowing down is I have fewer migraines than before.
I remember my teacher who I consider cool. He always mentioned to us, ” Take it easy. Life is too short to be miserable.” He looked way younger than his age. He looked fit and calm.
Photo by Sharina Mae Agellon
- You appreciate the company of your loved ones and understand them more.
In a hurry to relax and go to bed but your child keeps on grabbing your attention? There is a hidden reason why the child is doing it so better slow down and listen to your kid.
Adult life is quite overwhelming. The danger is you might become so self-absorbed with your own issues that you overlooked the moments when your family needed you. It is worth slowing down.
I told my husband that we should have a staring competition. It was funny because, in our hectic lives, we don’t remember when was the last time we literally stared at each other.
- You have a new perspective.
I have driven on that road for years when I noticed the sign Shrove Tuesday. I didn’t realize there was an Anglican Church on that street!
Did you experience seeing a structure being built then pondering what was the previous building that stood there before?
Who knows? Everyone was in a hurry to bother anyway.
Slowing down makes you see things that are there all along.
Photo by Steven Spassov
- It makes you think rationally.
When you slow down, it gives you other possible choices that you never thought of. The ideas might have a huge impact on your life.
What do you want to do?
- It is one way of LOVING YOURSELF.
Why are you such in a hurry? Is it even worth it?Is it even urgent? Sometimes as mums, we create crazy deadlines for ourselves that tend to push our bodies to the limits.
When the mum is in panic mode, the family is affected – guaranteed. Chill. I read a book for 30 minutes to relax. Customize your own happy half hour. PEACE!
Photo by Toa Heftiba
- It reminds you to be grateful for what you have.
You were in a hurry to have more, to have better ________ ( fill in the blank), you failed to appreciate what you already have. Slowing down opens your eyes to what you have become, the achievements you have accomplished and the challenges you survived.
Thanking people who helped you reach the peak of your success is an act that will not be forgotten. If you are in a hurry to go to the top but along the way, you took for granted the people who matter, you will end up alone.
- Slowing down strengthens your patience.
If you are teaching how to hold a pencil, how to write the alphabet or even read, rushing the child to hurry up will just make you both stressful. Each child is different when learning something new so better slow down and discover strategies that will be effective for them. Don’t be in a hurry to go to the next step.
Photo by Johnny McClung
At the end of the day, after all the rush, spending unhurried time with your family matters most. It could be during dinner or before bedtime. Make time.
Join me as we slow down a bit in our busy lives where there is always something to do no matter how fast we are.
I don’t want to be a BLUR in the lives of my loved ones. DO YOU?
