the slowing down

I’ve started a monthly newsletter called: The Slow Down. I’ll incorporate aspects of that note here. Subscribe here for invitations to cultivate presence all year long.

I’ve titled it The Slow Down because that’s exactly what I’m trying to cultivate in my own life and with my clients. We are constantly told to go, move, do, produce… and I want to encourage the opposite: simply be.

As I write this note, I’m drawing inspiration from my dog Birdie. After a good morning of chewing her bone, eating breakfast, sniffing leaves and staring at the mailman, she is fast asleep on the couch. She has done absolutely nothing “productive” or capitalist but OMG is she valuable and lovable and important. And, my friend, so are we.

Reflection questions:

What does it feel like in your body when you are moving too fast through life? When you feel stressed or rushed? What sensations do you notice? What thoughts do you have? And then, what does it feel like when you slow down?

What does “being productive” mean to you? Has that shifted over time? Where did you learn messages about this throughout your life?