7 Ways to Slow Down and Enjoy the Moments at DailyStrength

7 Ways to Slow Down and Enjoy the Moments

By Cyndi December 3, 2008 8:53pm

Everyday life is so busy, so filled with tasks both meaningful and insignificant that we often forget to stop and enjoy each other. This time of the year can help us to slow down a bit. Most businesses (not all) go into low gear this time of year - unless of course you are in a seasonal business like retail in which case life gets even crazier. In reality we shouldn't need the Holidays to force us to slow down and take stock, it should be a way of life. Most people are simply missing out, on their children growing up, their parents growing older and intimate moments with their mate. This is a sad truth that seems to get worse with each passing year and the development of new technology designed to save time but in reality makes us busier than ever before. I watch people on their cell phones and their Blackberries during school events or out at restaurants. I realize the idea is that they can take care of some business that they won't need to deal with later, but what they are actually doing is missing out on the moment. It may just be a moment that their child reports some new discovery or asks a poignant question or maybe it is just the opportunity to sit in quiet with the ones you love. Either way those moments are being all but eradicated from modern society.

I'd like to make some suggestions about how to get back on track with living in the moment a bit more. While you can't stop time from marching on or advancements in technology, nor would you want to, you can make healthier choices for your own life. Here are 7 things you can do to get your life back:

1) Schedule time each day to be with the people you care about without engaging in another task - no cell phone, computer or other distraction. This is particularly important if you are a parent. Note: connecting with your children while driving is great but it is not enough. You are still multi-tasking.

2) Turn off the television. Pick the programs that you want to watch instead of just vegetating in front of the set and indiscriminately watching. Turn it off when you are not watching something specific that you have planned to watch. Television can be an incredible time suck.

3) Take more walks with no destination in mind - just for the sake of being outside.

4) Practice mindfulness which entails being acutely aware of your surroundings - the sights, smells, sounds - for at least 10 minutes per day.

5) Slow down. That old adage "haste makes waste" holds true. Try not to worry about getting everything done.

6) Prioritize. When people are forced to identify what really must get done and what is extra and crowding their life their to-do list get significantly shorter.

7) Just say "No". If you value your down time then don't give it all away by over committing yourself. Extend yourself to others both personally and professionally only to the extent that it leaves time for you to enjoy your moments. It really is Ok to say, "No" but you must get comfortable accepting other's disappointment. In the long run the trade off will be well worth it.

Comments

I need this- I am copying it down
Thank you

By kellie58 December 26, 2008 5:58pm

I committed to just say no........didn't have to this Christmas. My family helped (children and grandchildren) I was given a present that I never thought my kids would give........a diamond breast cancer neclase.
I didn't feel that they had aknowleged my Cancer, they never talked about it. I now feel loved and cared about!I teared and felt they felt loved also.

By TerK December 25, 2008 10:21am

what a great reminder-thanks

By IamJen December 22, 2008 8:13am

i agree so much! my kids have actually taught me how to "slow down and smell the roses!" now when we do things for the holidays or just fun activities i dont get mad if i forget the camera! i just enjoy the moments i am having at that time! or if i do have the camera i take some pictures and then i enjoy it also!

By tina85 December 15, 2008 12:35am

enjoyed this, can anyone advise how i can make a copy of this please !!

By alisonmc67 December 11, 2008 7:44pm

Thank you for this awesome insight on enjoying the moment. It has motivated me to spend more quality time with my loved ones, without being on the computer or telephone. Thank you.

By bahamiangirl December 9, 2008 1:36pm

Wow!!! you made some excellent common sense points that most of us are too busy to ponder, thanks
God Bless

By chipchip December 7, 2008 11:47pm

Thank you! My Psychologist has talked to me about mindfulness, but never really pointed out, or maybe I didn't catch it, sights, sounds, smells.

Being comfortable with saying no is a hard one, especially if you are worried about hurting someone. How does one ever do that?

By Waitingforhim December 7, 2008 12:30pm

learning to say no is crucial especially in the workplace.

By paul123 December 6, 2008 10:14am

Thank you, for the first time in my life i'm doing most of these on my own. Yes, i have had a lot of counsolers teach me these habits! Keep up the good work we need it!

By Chuck2004 December 6, 2008 7:41am

Copy and Pasted the article-thanks

By Cybercatxq December 5, 2008 2:45pm

Thank you. I too am copying this.

By Blisster December 5, 2008 10:46am

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By deepady December 5, 2008 2:22am

Great advice. I have just prepared a talk for a local caregiver's group which includeds many of these suggestions. Now you've given me a few more ideas to include. Thank you for an important message.
Shari
www.care2tell.com

By dadcarer December 5, 2008 1:28am

Thank you for this post. These seven (7) steps are so important and crucial to ones life. Thanks again.
Even if you take just one step a day you are definitely going in the right direction.
Charlene

By ctravel December 4, 2008 10:02pm

This was wonderful I will keep it forever

By granchasboy December 4, 2008 3:00pm

I let go of my television a few years go, and I am so much happier! I just put on a little music and GO. I find I am so much more efficient and not so distracted. Thankfully, there is so much content available online nowdays that if I really want to see something, I find it online.

By nycflyer December 4, 2008 11:41am

Ooo I'm copying this so I don't lose it.

Thank you very much.

By TiredLittleTanager December 4, 2008 5:26am

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In Session - Notes from the Couch

By Cyndi Sarnoff-Ross

7 Ways to Slow Down and Enjoy the Moments

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