How to Slow Down, Take Stock and Enjoy Life More

Slow Down, Do More

Do you feel like you’re always on the run trying to get ‘stuff’ done?

Always feeling a little behind, like there’s no time to catch up?

Do you regularly feel or have thoughts that you’re overwhelmed, stressed, rushed and hurried, and never have time for yourself?

In our modern fast-paced world, life balance is a major problem that we all struggle to maintain.

I’m certainly no exception to this. There are just so many things I want to do, experience, create and share but there never seems enough time for all of it. I know many of you can relate to this, and certainly my clients can!

My own challenge has always been not acknowledging when I need to “stop” – something that the busier I’ve become, the more I’ve worked hard to be respectful of.

Every few months I pull back a little and take stock of my life. I consciously stop “doing” so much in favour of simply “being”.

[Tweet “Every few months I pull back a little and take stock of my life. I consciously stop “doing” so much in favour of simply “being”]

I use a Life Charting exercise to see where my priorities are across all areas of my life. I start to hone in on where I’m not feeling as fulfilled as I would like to be, according to what’s most important to me at that stage in my life.

When I’m aware of what my needs are and which areas may be lacking, I start taking small actions every day to refocus my time and energy into where is most important to me.

To give you an idea of what I mean, here are just a few things I do to shift the balance back in my favour when life and work start taking over:

  • I meditate daily to feel more calm, relaxed and focused.
  • Instead of trying to remember everything, I create priority lists and stick to them.
  • I plan and prepare each meal throughout the day instead of feeling rushed or missing out.
  • I pull back from engaging in social media and focus on who’s in front of me.
  • Instead of trying to finish every task and response on the computer long into the night, I decide that the world can wait and use the evenings to relax with my family.
  • I set aside 15 minutes each of reading and stretching every day instead of browsing the internet.

By pulling back on unnecessary tasks, I instantly create more time to enjoy what’s most important to me. When I do I feel more productive, mindful and content in daily life.

It feels wonderful to slow down and do something other than trying to do everything. Instead of the world falling apart without me, it actually becomes more enjoyable when I engage in it on purpose.

It’s important to slow down and step back every now and again to take a wider perspective of where our time and energy are really being spent. It can make a huge difference to our sense of satisfaction, outlook on life, and overall wellbeing.

This week I invite YOU to slow down. Step back from the “doing” and focus on the “being”.

Consider the following as a guide:

  • Is the bulk of your time being spent on actual priorities or time-wasters?
  • What’s the most important aspect of your life that you want to focus on more?
  • Where can you pull back to make room for more important tasks or experiences?

Making the time to step back and reconnect to your needs creates a more meaningful, pleasurable and fulfilling existence, and an easier task of balancing your priorities.

It’s time to step back, reconnect and energise by doing things that are more meaningful, pleasurable and soothing for your soul!

Love

Viki  xo

 

About Viki

Viki Thondley, The MindBodyFood Coach

Viki Thondley is a Mind-Body Wellness Specialist and qualified Holistic Counsellor, Food, Stress & Lifestyle Coach, Meditation Therapist, and Eating Disorder Recovery Coach who inspires women to shift from dieting and restriction to whole-self nourishment, self-care and healing. Recovered from bulimia nervosa and the many years of hormonal imbalances, food prison and self-sabotaging behaviours’, Viki is an inspiring coach, speaker and event host who also provides personalised holistic programs, workshops and retreats to instil self-love, happiness, body confidence and real food freedom. She is author of “Achieving Your Wellness: Create a Life You Love” and “Healthy Chocolate Delights: Real Food Sweet Treats”.

Sign up to her Happy | Healthy | Confident newsletter for her free 43 page eBook “Break Up with Dieting: 10 Tips to Calm Your Mind, Relax Your Body & Eat With Pleasure” + weekly whole-self nourishment tips, inspiration and recipes!