Hi everyone!

Today I want to talk about slowing down and how this can benefit us and help us to get more done! Crazy right?! Not so much. Slowing down and taking time to rest and reflect can help us realize what we really want and need and where to send our energy to accomplish what we want to.

I decided to touch on this topic today because slowing done has been a difficult lesson for me over the years. In a culture that wants things done now and quickly, it can be hard to find the time to realize what it is we are actually doing and what we actually want out of life. When I was in college, I was a full-time student, had two jobs, an internship, and was also training to run a half-marathon and have a social life (aka partying at bars until 2a.m.). I “thought” that I was doing the right thing for myself by being involved in so many things. I thought that this is what “successful” people do and if you aren’t complaining about how busy you are then you must be doing something wrong! What a wild mindset! I was working myself to a pulp and at one point I had a mental breakdown at work and cried because I was so tired of it all. My mind, body, and soul were spent from the many years of filling up my days. The funny thing is, I always felt like I was doing so much, but never actually getting anything accomplished.

It has taken me a while to realize the importance of not doing everything. This is especially difficult as I am a person that thinks she is interested in everything. Most of the time I am initially, but I have discovered that it is important for me to put more of my energy into less things. That is how I will truly accomplish my dreams and goals.

But first! You may be asking yourself, “what if I don’t even know what I want?” A lot of people feel this way. We spend our lives doing things we don’t like and filling up our schedules with dinner parties, brunches, and more work than we could ever possibly want. So when is there ever time to just dream and imagine possibilities for ourselves? How can we find out who we are and what we want out of this one wild life? Make some time rest and reflect. You may not think that you have time, but I promise you that you do. You may have to cut some things out like that extra episode of Netflix or meeting your friends. Take some time for YOU, you deserve it, even if you do not think you do, you do.

You can take some time to just think about about your life and how you are feeling about it. You can journal, dream, imagine, create something, whatever is calling to you. Sometimes I like to listen to music and lay on my bed, staring up at the ceiling and mulling over my existence. I think about what is important to me, am I happy with my life? What can I change and what can I let go of? Some of the answers to these questions that arise might scare you. You may realize things about your life that you have been trying to run from. Go to this! Even if you feel uncomfortable or scared, I promise you that what makes you the most uncomfortable is usually the best thing in transforming your life.

Last week in-between my quarters of school I decided to take a day of silence. I like to do this once in a while to really go inside myself and think about what it is that I am working towards. What I want out of life and if I am doing what I actually want to be doing. During this time I journaled, meditated, drew oracle cards, and read from a book. I did not use this time to escape into more TV and Movies. You can also go for a walk or a hike in nature, I find that nature carries the best wisdom:).

An important take-away here is to honor yourself. Know when you are feeling tired and overwhelmed and take some time (a day, a weekend, an hour) to rest and recharge yourself. Do not wait until you are at you’re breaking point like I have! Trust me, it is not that fun. Try to carve out sometime everyday or a few times a week to nurture your being. You may have to give up other things and you will have to decide what is important to you. We are all on our own journeys and you know what you need and what you want, so go out and make it happen!

Feel free to comment, share, and message me with any insights:).

Peace,

Rylee