Slowing Down

‘There is more to life than increasing its speed.’ – Gandhi

Technological inventions are continually saving you time: your car gets you there quicker than walking, the microwave cooker heats up your food in seconds, Internet shopping saves you going to the shops, Internet banking saves you time from actually going to the bank and so on.

What do you do with all that time spared? Like many of us, you probably use it to fit more things into your day, and so your life is more hurried and hectic than ever.

But doing too much is not an effective way to work or live. Moving quickly may make you less effective in completing a task and can be stressful. Slowing down is a calmer and more peaceful way to approach your work.

Take time to do what you're doing instead of constantly looking for ways to save time so that you can fit more in. If you fill your day with things to do, you will always be trying to get ahead of yourself, and that's not mindful.

Instead of trying to cram too much into every day, move at a slower, more relaxed pace and get the most out of what you're doing now.

Slowing down is not always easy. Perhaps you tell yourself you just can't, your job won't allow it or you'll let people down if you don't keep up with all your commitments.

Slowing down takes practice, but it helps you focus on what you are doing and what is happening.