This holiday season, I encourage you to give yourself the gift of slowness.
Slowing down is countercultural in our society. Oftentimes we are overcommitted, spread thin, and have schedules that are jampacked. If you have found yourself wondering where time has gone or felt burnt out – you are not alone.
Slowing down is a wonderful invitation to come home to ourselves. The purpose of this blog is to explore the benefits of slowing down with kindness and grace.
1. Cultivating Curiosity
The first step to slowing down is getting curious. I kindly invite you to notice what comes up for you when you slow down.
Clients will tell therapists in our practice they do not like slowing down because it means they have to be with their thoughts or there is more space for emotions to be present, which can be challenging.
If you are a high achiever or perhaps a perfectionist, slowing down can be particularly challenging because your sense of self worth may be overly tied to your productivity and achievements.
Whatever comes up for you is an important piece to explore in the therapeutic space and this will hopefully support you in cultivating compassion and a deeper understanding of your emotions and needs.
2. Compassionately Being
We live in a culture that oftentimes praises individuals for all of the things they have on their schedule. This may lead to our self worth and identities being overly connected to what we do.
While working hard and having commitments is not inherently bad, it can lead to all or nothing thinking and heightened anxiety. When we slow down, we access our calming neurotransmitters, such as the GABA neurotransmitter.
Slowing down allows us to respond with intentional choices, as we may be navigating anxiety or stressful circumstances.
Slowing down also allows us to get connected to our innate worth as human beings, which I believe we all have. Friend, I encourage you to practice self-compassion by slowing down and allowing yourself a moment of calm.
3. Responding in Alignment with Our Values
Slowing down allows us to respond, rather than react. Essentially, this means that when we experience an emotion, slowing down allows us to identify the emotion and to respond in a healthy, supportive way. If we are overly rushed or hurried throughout our day, we may react in ways that are not congruent with our values.
While reacting to our emotions or external cues is not inherently bad; when we use the lens of responsiveness, we have more agency and our responses are more aligned with our value system.
4. Pockets of Intentional Pause
When we slow down, we create a pocket of intentional pause to check in with ourselves. We create the space to notice our internal bodily cues, external environment, and what might be happening in our relationships. This pause does not have to be hours on end; it can be five minutes or even two minutes.
Intentionally slowing down and pausing helps us cultivate awareness. This is the concept of neuroception, which is a subconscious process that allows us to tend to our nervous system.
By cultivating an awareness, we are able to notice what we might be needing at any given moment. Attunement to our needs allows us to practice self-compassion and self-care.
I applaud you for slowing down and reading this blog.
At Anchored Counseling, we are here to provide a safe harbor as you slow down, get curious, and cultivate self-compassion. Located in the greater Nashville area, our heartfelt aspiration is to support you on your path toward healing, empowerment, and a rejuvenated sense of self.
Whether you are struggling with self worth, anxiety, depression, or other mental health concerns, we would be honored to find a therapist who best suits your needs. We offer complimentary phone consultations. Please call us at 615.510.3797 or contact us here.
If you are not located in the greater Nashville area, please see the free resources below for support.
Additional Resources
When I Am Among the Trees:
I love this poem by Mary Oliver, especially these lines:
I am so distant from the hope of myself,
in which I have goodness, and the discernment,
and never hurry through the world
but walk slowly, and bow often.
I hope you take a moment to read the entire poem and find a line that resonates with you.
Mindful Affirmation:
“I allow myself to slow down and create pockets of peace.”
Becoming Anchored in Hope,
Laura
LPC-MHSP, CEDS-C, ACS, NCC
Owner + Director
Laura is committed to guiding individuals along their path to mental wellness and has carefully gathered a team of skilled, knowledgeable, and committed therapists at Anchored Counseling Co. to assist in this mission.
The professionals here create an environment that is supportive and affirmed, informed by an understanding of trauma. At Anchored Counseling Co., there’s a shared belief in the fundamental worth of each person, and therapy is delivered with warmth and empathy. The therapeutic philosophy here is built on the premise that every client has the natural ability to enact meaningful and enduring change in their life.
To connect with a therapist who aligns with your unique needs, please contact our office at 615.510.3797 or contact us here.
