Life goes by so fast already who needs to speed things up by rushing through daily routines and tasks? If you are a parent then you know that it seems years go by like the blink of an eye and you are left to wonder where did time go? Like many, you may want to try and slow the pace of life and so you can truly enjoy the people and things that matter most to you. But how can you go about doing that? Here are some simple ideas for simple, joyful living.
Get up fifteen minutes earlier and go outside each morning. There is nothing more peaceful than the quiet of early morning. Go outside with your cup of coffee, tea, or green smoothie and sit in quiet reflection. Sit in a comfy chair or on a yoga mat. Think about your day and connect with nature as you listen to the wind, birds, insects, and the sounds of morning. Concentrate on your breathing and do some breathing exercises to help you feel energized and ready to tackle the day. Reserve that special time for yourself each morning and start the day off right.
Experience the joys of slow cooking. In this fast paced world it seems everyone touts the benefits of fast food but a new revolution has begin called the slow food movement. It is of course a more healthy way to eat but the real benefit is that you can get back to basics and cook the foods your mother and grandmother may have made and make meal times special in your house again. Create a meal plan each week and though you may spend more time cooking and a bit more money on quality ingredients, you and your family will relish the experience and time together.
Have a dinner party. It doesn’t have to be elaborate, just make one or two special dishes and have guests mix their own drinks. Sit outside and talk with adults while the kids play. Perhaps you can trade dinner party nights with other families so that at east once a month you have something special and memorable to do.
Get a hobby! Start a sewing project or two, take up knitting or crochet, take your camera on a nature walk several times a week, start a scrapbook. Instead of spending time in front of the TV, which will never be very memorable, use some of your free time to create something meaningful. You can even get a head start on a homemade Christmas gift list. Your parents would love to have a scrapbook of the grandkids and your best friend might like a hand knit scarf.
Start a book club. Gather together with some female friends and choose a book to read over a few weeks time. Get together once a week to discuss the pre-assigned chapters and bring finger foods. This gives you an excuse to get together regularly and you get some reading time too. The laughs and great conversations will be treasured memories for years to come.
Start a babysitting co-op for date nights. Most married couples who have small children will tell you they don’t get out alone together much. Do something about that! Get together with 2-3 other couples and make a plan. Perhaps on every third weekend, two of the couples will go out while the remaining couple watches all the kids. Trade off so that each couple gets a regular date night.
With a little planning you can slow the pace of life and find time for the things that mean the most to you.
Some say “time flies when you’re having fun”, but like you said, as a parent, time just flies, fun or not. I agree with you in that there is nothing more peaceful than a quite early morning. I usually wake up before anybody else at home, and it’s amazing how much you can get done with some peace and quiet. I also like the idea of slow cooking, food just tastes better that way.
I was thinking about this yesterday when I was playing catch with my 6 year old son. Just a boy, a glove, and a baseball. After throwing ground balls, pop flies, fast balls, etc. He tells me “Mom, I just love playing ball.” I smiled and said “all you need is a ball and glove to be happy huh?” “Ya, and my bat” he responded with a smile.
I treasure moments like these when my kids have what I call “pure, innocent, fun.” Watching my daughter “check in” with me after she rides her bike around the block, my son moving logs in the yard only to discover a new batch of bugs, my husband catching fireflies with the kids at night, my 2year old asking me to read an Eric Carle book again and seeing the same inquisitve look on his face as if it’s our first time reading it, my kid saying “this is the freshest watermelon I ever had”as the pink juice drips down his chin. These are the moments that will stay in my heart for years to come!
Ahhhhh, I already feel more relaxed! A thought I keep at the forefront of my mind every day is that I don’t want to look back on my life one day with regret. I want to know that I made the most of every moment and prioritized well. I think you can only truly do that when you’re willing to slow down and keep life simple!
love your words“ from a Chinese girl
Thank you for this article! In this country, we value busy, busy, busy….and we need to slow down and realize that life is not always about production, but enjoyment of simple tasks, also. Thank you! We cannot be spiritually fit without slowing down our minds and bodies a bit.