Slow is Your New Friend for Finding Balance: Or is it Really New?
Navigating life’s hustle with calm and confidence
For some, slowing down feels counterintuitive to who they are, but slow can be your new friend for finding balance. It’s not a new concept either. It’s more about knowing how to do it well. You can navigate your lifestyle of hustle and remain calm and confident with a new friend of finding slow in the corners.
And, if you’re someone whose body is already telling you to slow down because the rush of every day makes it difficult for you to just be and breathe, then listen to your Inner Voice that is urging you to slow your pace down.
I have a saying: if you don’t slow down, God will surely slow you down and you might not like how God slows you down.
Think about the lilies. They grow and become beautiful, not because they work hard or strive to clothe themselves. Yet not even Solomon, wearing his kingly garments of splendor, could be compared to a field of lilies. If God can clothe the fields and meadows with grass and flowers, can he not clothe you as well, O struggling one with so many doubts? I repeat: Don’t let worry enter your life. Live above the anxious cares about your personal needs.
— Luke 12:27–29, TPT
Spirit, your Word encourages me not to worry, not to run around like a chicken with its head cut off, and I struggle with that. So, help me to live out the words You have set before me and live at a slower pace, so that I may have a new confidence and a calm balance.
You have permission to slow down.
Read that again.
Sometimes I lie awake at night, and I ask, ‘What can I do to keep my life from going by so fast?’ Then a voice comes to me that says, “Try slowing down at the corners.”
— Charlie Brown
You have the power to control the pace of your life, even if only in small ways. You can take time to pause each day to reflect upon the intersections of your daily routine. Maybe it’s as simple as taking a deep breath in when you’re feeling overwhelmed. Maybe it’s walking the dog and slowing down enough to notice the beauty around you.
Maybe it’s how and where you eat. In other words, if you eat standing up because you think you need to eat in a hurry, why not change it up and sit down and eat? Enjoy your food. Savor the flavors.
Slowing down in the corners of life can give you the opportunity to make more mindful choices too. Rather than rushing blindly from one thing to the next, take a step back and reevaluate what is truly important.
It’s the little things in life that make your life more fulfilling. So, why not slow down and enjoy them?
Reflection Questions
When was the last time you felt truly present in the moment, free from distractions and worries?
What does the phrase, “slowing down at the corners” mean to you? How can you live that out in your life?
What are some corners in your life that you can slow down for?
Are there things you feel you’re missing out on? What can you do to slow down enough so you don’t miss out?
What benefits do you think you’ll gain from slowing down at the corners?
What are some fears you have about slowing down?
What does it mean to you to live with intention and purpose?
The trees that are slow to grow bear the best fruit.
— Moliere
Putting it into practice
Be intentional about setting time aside each day for you to engage in some slow-down activities such as yoga, mindfulness, and/or meditation.
Say no to distractions: Turn off your phone earlier in the evening so you can allow your mind and soul to completely slow down.
Simplify your life: identify some areas in your life where you can declutter your living space and streamline your schedule.
Celebrate the small victories: Take time to recognize and celebrate the small victories in your life. Those moments can help you feel more connected to what truly matters.
Show yourself some kindness: Are you being too hard on yourself? What would it look like for you to offer yourself some grace, mercy, and kindness every day? Not just once a week or once a month, but every day.
Create some “Slow Down” rituals: Identify areas in your life where you can slow down. Maybe it’s during meals. Designate those moments as “slow down corners” or “slow down rituals”. Be intentional and deliberate to be fully present and unhurried during those times.
Time Management: Organize your schedule with an emphasis on balance. Allocate time for work, family, social activities, and personal interests. Avoid excessive multitasking so you don’t feel rushed.
Delegate: Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Sharing responsibilities can prevent you from feeling overwhelmed and rushed.
Set realistic goals: Reevaluate your goals and expectations. Are you expecting too much from yourself? Make sure your goals are achievable and balanced.
I promise you that the tasks you have on your physical or mental “to-do list” will be there tomorrow. You do not have to do EVERYTHING today. The world will not come to an end if you don’t achieve everything in one day.
Yes, there are some tasks that might need urgent attention. That’s understandable and not part of what this is about. It is about you digging a bit deeper into who you are and what is important to you so you can live a healthier, more fulfilling life.
Slowing down is sometimes the best way to speed up.
— Mike Vance
May the blessings of peace and stillness be upon you. May you find the courage to slow down at the corners and savor the moments that matter most. May you trust in the rhythm of life and trust that all is unfolding as it should. May you find joy and contentment in each present moment and live each day with purpose and meaning. May you be blessed with the gift of mindfulness and the wisdom to prioritize self-care. So be it.
May you know that you are loved because you matter.
May your soul be refreshed.
sdg © Nancy Blackman