when is it ok to slow down?
February 11, 2013 in Blog, Faith, Goals, Inspiration, Worship
Run faster.
Be better.
Push harder.
Make lists. Check items off the list. Fast.
Make babies. Do it now.
Make more money. More. More. No really, you need more.
Forge! Forward!
GO!
DO!
BE!
Then crash. Fall.
And possibly fail.
You guys, I’m absolutely wiped out. Mentally and physically. I’m fully aware – I did this to myself. Crammed as much as I possibly could onto my plate (the show, Blend, work, freelance opportunities, this blog) and now, on this particular Monday, it’s all catching up with me. I have to slow down.
I don’t know HOW to slow down.
It’s not my first nature. I know how to overcommit. THAT I can do.
But at what cost??
We live in a world where busyness and “full plates” are glorified. If you’re not pushing towards the next goal, then what are you doing?! Being lazy. Being boring. And speaking of these goals, they’re usually not anything that we should be pursuing in the first place!! Who flippin’ cares if my floors are vacuumed three times a week?! Or if I make an extra $10 this week at the gym?! NO!
There is something missing in all of this. There is something more. – The Sacred Romance
I actually surprised myself yesterday. The show was finally over. My mom kept the kids on Saturday night, so I got to sleep in (until 8:20!!) When I woke up, like always, I thought about all the things I could get done without the kids being around – grocery shopping, cleaning, exercising, maybe pre-write some posts. Essentially, I thought about all the DOING that could be done.
Then I walked into the living room and found this waiting for me:
Placed there by dear, head-of-this-household husband, who’d already left for church. Because he knew that I needed to read it. He knew that his wife needed to read and rest and sip her coffee.
And to spend time with her FIRST LOVE.
And that’s what I want to say (which is totally not what I thought I’d be writing about today). Life and lists and things-to-do can get overwhelming when WE pick and choose the things that we’re doing. But if we could just get out of the way and let GOD pick and choose for us, leading our paths, this life would be so much simpler. FULFILLING! I don’t know that I always do that: Ask God what I should do with my day. More than half of the time, I decide first, without a thought about praying and seeking. It’s most assuredly the wrong way to go about life. And honestly, It leaves me thirsty and tired and worn out.
I sat and read that book all morning. I didn’t go to church. I didn’t change out of my pajamas. I didn’t vacuum or do any of the things I had on my list. The only action verb that defined my yesterday was….SEEK.
Seek.
Follow.
Trust. (Isaiah 40:31)
Listen.
Wait.
And slow down.
Maybe you’re good at slowing down, at being mindful. I want to be like you. Or maybe you’re like me and you need other people to tell you when to slow down. If so, this is ME telling YOU to start focusing on those items in your life that are important, that are worthy. To put energy there. And to let go of everything else. I give you permission. But you really don’t need it.
QUESTION: Do you tend to overcommit yourself? Ever read “The Sacred Romance”?
splendid…lindsay
Hey Lindsay
I’ve been reading your thoughts for a while, so I supposed it’s only right to share mine with you! An old friend of mine used to schedule Sabbath into her life. One hour a week, one day a month, and one week a year, is set aside for nothing except to find ways to be closer to God. I thought it was a wonderful idea. And, as an “over-scheduler” myself, it seems more possible, if we schedule it. Not saying you can’t grow closer to God at other times, but setting aside time seems to help make sure it’s a priority, when everything is a priority. Hope that helps!
I love that idea. I do have a Sabbath, but I can’t say that I use it like I should – great idea!
oh em gee, YES! I needed to read this, it is one of those things I am working on heavily too, NOT overcommitting, NOT overplanning, balancing work, teaching, friends, family, M, all of it. The crash and burn is usually that sign – for me – to just stop and start over, start fresh! LOVE this post!
I have such a hard time slowing down. Whenever I have a spare minute, I rarely take that time for myself and to relax but instead try to think of how many things I can accomplish and cross off my never-ending to do list. I’m trying to remember to slow down but I do find it to be a challenge. Our society definitely is about the glorification of busy.
Yes, so good that you are resting in His presence. About a year ago I started really focusing on His rest. We have somehow lost that and I am trying to reclaim it in my life. If I don’t go to Him first I am usually not resting. As I tell my kids, sometimes we need to just lay down in the grass. He makes me lie down in green pastures, may we all lay it down.
Lovely post
This year I committed to putting God first & trusting Him, so far it’s been tough, but totally amazing. Life is better when we have faith & trust in the Him who created us in the first place
Wow. I had this very same breakdown/breakthrough this weekend. And yes, I needed to be TOLD it was time to slow down, to stop doing, doing, doing, going, going, going. and yes, He also had something to do with it — Um hi, giant blizzard socking us with two feet of snow this weekend. How’s that for a GIANT slap of reality that YES, I need to slow down. YES, I need to stop DOING, yes. I need to just BE more. Man, I loved reading your version of this breakthrough moment. Thank you for being you!!! xoxo
I have been having the same realizations here lately. Thank you for this reminder. I needed it today.
thank you for the reminder! I am the queen at spreading myself to thin…currently in that path. But I feel so pressured not to do this and that. But I will do better like you said and slow down.
This was a great post!! I just joined this blogging world because God has transformed my life and He has called me to share it with others. It’s amazing how quickly we can get sucked in by the craziness around us instead of focusing on the true reason why we do what we do! Thank you for your honesty!
Shannon
http://www.2chicksgetfit.com
Ive never read that book but I am intrigued…I def care too much about stuff sometimes and you are RIGHT who cares if I dont vcacuum one day or the laundry needs to be done.. I need to simmer sometimes
Lindsay – I needed this! I have not had a day off since before Thanksgiving. I’ve said yes to every meeting, every shift cover, and opportunity to come my way.
I am tired. And I hate to admit it because I still feel like there is so much I am not doing. I’ve let my blog and yoga practice go. Whenever I get a chance to do this stuff I’m so tired. I can’t do anything but sit. I’ve been living on oatmeal and bowls of cereal out of convenience.
I keep saying I’m exhausted in good way. I love what I am doing now and like you said I did it to myself. But sometimes you really do not see how much you are doing and committing to.
This week is already packed – but maybe next week I can get back to me and other things I love.
Thank you for this important reminder to slow down. I don’t think I know how to really do that, but your post has urged me to figure it out. I have not read this book, but will move that to the top of my list.
I have that book, and have had it for probably 10 years. And I have read approximately half of it approximately three times. Because I don’t have time to read. Hmmmm…..Maybe there’s something in that? I know that God is telling me to slow down. What I can’t figure out is how. With a full-time job, a husband, 2 small kids, a house to keep (reasonably) clean, grocery shopping, cooking, working out, etc….how?? “Seek Ye first…..” I’m learning!
Great post. I, too, have a LOT on my plate right now. It’s my last semester in college and I honestly have never put as much stuff on my plate as before – although I have to admit, I secretly love it too but it can be a little exhausting. I work out every morning, go to school or work at the marketing agency where I’m a project manager, I blog, I do photography freelance, I do event photography on the weekends, I am working on my honors thesis for which I’m conducting psycholy research, then one online class, and an adult painting class I got from Groupon (I couldn’t pass that up!). Also, applying to jobs at agencies right now so I can have something better waiting for me once I graduate. Sigh. It’s a lot to handle. Thank you for reminding me to take the time to slow down. And just… relax.
I am ALWAYS saying that I need to learn how to SLOOOOOW DOWN. The world does not need to be saved before noon. On a weekend.
And yet, there I am, always, trying to cram as much in as possible.
I’m still not ‘there yet’ in terms of not trying to five hundred thousand things in a day…but I’m working on it. Slowly?
Yes, yes! This is why I put a ban on my laptop on Sundays. I’m trying to really implement the “day of rest” back into the day. Enjoy your time today, Lindsay!
I’ve never heard of that book, but now I’m off to research it
Thank you for this post. I really needed it today. Thank you for taking of your time and talents to bless and lift the lives of others.
Love this post Lindsay! It’s so true how when we aren’t busy we feel like we should be busy. We forget to breathe, relax, and do nothing once in a while. Because, doing NOTHING is OKAY! I felt that way this weekend and embraced it. Saturday night I could have gone out, but why. So instead I ordered take out, drank a couple of glasses of wine, and watched episodes of Nashville and Revenge and I LOVED it. Have a fabulous week!
I almost posted a very similar topic today about motherhood, and how I feel the pressure to be doing, doing, doing to be a “successful mom”- very similar themes. Might have it up sometime this week. It is so important to learn to step back. Great reminder! I hope that rest and devotional time was restorative. I need to carve out more time for it as well.
So needed this! I never slow down, but think about it all the time! Haha I have read Sacred Marriage and Sacred Influence by Gary Thomas, but I don’t think this is part of that series. Will definitely look it up. Thanks for the reminder!
Oh, friend, I feel you in a big, big way. Have ahd the same realizations and feeling lately. So important to take life at a slower pace with more margin and breathing room.
PS – I miss you big time!
true, true, true. I feel like I really got this last summer, which is why I finally left my job…but then sans job I have gotten back to feeling the need to do because if my writing doesn’t prosper well then what have I been doing with all that time??
not logical in the least!
linked you up today on today’s post about gut health. can’t wait to continue reading how your journey is going I think it’s so important for all of us
There’s this quote I saw on Pinterest that says “stop the glorification of busy” and I could not agree with it more. I used to be this way until I realized that life is so much more enjoyable when it’s slower. There’s a reason why people are happier on islands haha
Off to share this and that quote now!
I am 100% the same way – I recognize that my issues are all pride-driven, which is obviously sinful. I need to slow down and have kind of made it a rule that I give myself a day or two to think about commitments before I just say yes – doesn’t always work but it does give me a chance to question my motives!
i def over commit myself! there are weeks when i have something every.single.night. after school (work). by friday i’m pooped and want nothing more to lay on the couch. so i do just that! my life is definitely balanced by weekends like this past weekend when i did LOTS of lounging!
Yep, that’s me to a T. I over-commit and over-extend myself on a daily basis. Joe and I talked this weekend about slowing down and enjoying things more. That’s what I’m committing to this week.
You are an inspiration to me in so many ways! Big hugs to you this Monday. I hope you’re still resting.
Thank you so much for this reminder Linds! This is definitely a work in progress for me!
I struggled with over-committing & being a perfectionist for YEARS until I crashed and burned, hard. My husband has been the absolute best at making me slow down – he makes me sit on the couch and just relax. Mentally & physically, you get better & stronger when you’re resting – we all need mental and physical rest days!
Great post Linds……at your stage in life it is VERY hard to slow down….but listen to the Holy Spirit and He will guide you!
thanks mama! i love you so much.
What a sweet husband of yours.
I am such an overcommitter. I love how whenever you’re dealing with something, a scripture comes up that’s just perfect.
I feel lazy if I don’t DO SOMETHING every time the baby takes a nap. I should nap, too, sometimes. It’s so hard to “turn it off”, though. My husband thinks I’m insane because I have to be doing stuff at all times. I needed this post!
I love this post! I am the worst at slowing down and always tend to overcommit! Just the words I needed to hear today!
I USED TO a lot.
and then our child came and I was smacked in the face with how I just no longer could…it was no longer about me.
Oy. Iam the queen of over-committment. Maybe I’ll take a rest day next weekend… it sounds like a glorious way to spend a Sunday!
reason # 1000045 that i want to move back to new zealand. I get “caught up” in too much here, and it’s my own fault. I took the rest of febraury off from certain things. No money involved. When God wants you to lay it all at his feet, he sure knows how to physically and emotionally tell you. CLING to HIM! <3
I am really excited to find that book and read it ASAP!
God has blessed me this past week through my munchkin having a illness which required me to stay home with her all week… never have I taken so much time off of work for personal reasons, but God’s timing is perfect and it has given me time to reflect on where my balance should truly lie. reading that book just might be the next step…
I so agree with this post! We definitely live in a society where doing is good and not doing is slack, lazy, unhealthy. When it’s so not the case. Being healthy is about moderation- in every way. Not just food but exercise, work and play. What’s the point of working hard 90% of the time if you’re not going to enjoy the other 10%?