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From Rushed to Restored: Embracing the Power of Slowing Down

Writer's picture: Beth DouglasBeth Douglas

 

Yesterday, I was driving down the highway, completely on autopilot, with a thousand thoughts racing through my mind. I was caught in the endless cycle of thinking about all the things I had to, or thought I had to, accomplish. Suddenly, something broke through the mental noise. A sign flashed on the side of the road:

SLOW DOWN – SLOW DOWN – SLOW DOWN. Instinctively, I put my foot on the brake and glanced at my speedometer. I was going way faster than the limit. I won’t incriminate myself by saying just how fast, but that sign struck me deeper than just adjusting my driving speed. It was like a message meant for more than just my car—it resonated with how I was living.

 

That SLOW DOWN sign was a wake-up call. It made me realize that the fast pace I was keeping wasn’t just on the road—it was happening in my life. I was filling my days with unnecessary busyness, running from one task to the next, trying to avoid something much deeper: my emotions. I wasn’t just rushing through my to-do list; I was running from myself. I was disconnected, not from my tasks, but from my feelings.

 

We’ve all been there—overwhelmed by life’s demands, we often turn to busyness as a coping mechanism. It’s easy to mistake a packed schedule for productivity or even strength. When we’re faced with emotions we don’t want to deal with, or when life feels too heavy, our instinct is often to speed up rather than slow down. We add more to our plates, thinking that if we keep moving, we’ll outrun whatever we’re feeling. Society has taught us that taking time for ourselves, especially when things are tough, means we’re weak. So, instead of pausing, we hustle even harder. We pack our schedules until there’s no room left for emotions to creep in.

 

But here’s the truth: being "busy" isn’t always being productive. Sometimes, it’s just a distraction. It’s a way of avoiding the things we need to feel, process, and heal from. Slowing down feels counterintuitive in a world that rewards busyness, but it’s essential for reconnecting with ourselves and our emotions.

 

How to Recognize When Busyness is a Distraction


1. You feel drained despite getting things done: If you’re constantly ticking off tasks but still feeling mentally and emotionally exhausted, it could be a sign you’re avoiding deeper emotional work.


2. You never have “me time”: If your schedule is so packed that there’s no time left for relaxation, reflection, or simple self-care, you may be using busyness to distract yourself.


3. You feel anxious when you’re not busy: If moments of stillness or downtime make you uncomfortable or anxious, it’s a signal that something deeper is being avoided.


4. You’re multitasking all the time: Doing multiple things at once is often a sign you’re not fully engaged with any one thing, which can be a method to avoid staying present.


5. You’re disconnected from your emotions: If you haven’t felt true joy, sadness, or calm in a while, and instead feel numb or on autopilot, your busyness might be masking emotions you don’t want to face.


If you recognize yourself in this, don’t beat yourself up. We all fall into the trap of using busyness as a way to avoid dealing with our emotions or facing uncomfortable truths. It’s a natural response to want to stay busy and productive when life feels overwhelming. But the good news is, you don’t have to stay stuck in that cycle. There are simple yet powerful ways to step out of the constant busyness and into your feelings so that you can process what you’re avoiding and move forward in a healthier, more intentional way. Here are some steps to help you get present and reconnect with your emotions, allowing you to break free from the distractions and find real clarity.


1. Practice mindfulness: Even if it’s just for five minutes, take time each day to be fully present. Focus on your breathing, the sensations in your body, or the sounds around you. This practice pulls you out of your racing thoughts and into the present moment.

  

2. Journal your thoughts and feelings: Sometimes writing down what’s going on in your mind can help you process emotions you didn’t realize were there. Ask yourself, “What am I avoiding?” or “How do I really feel about what’s happening in my life?”

 

3. Schedule “white space” in your day: Give yourself permission to have time with no agenda. Whether it’s 15 minutes or an hour, allow yourself to be still and see what comes up when there’s nothing filling your time.

 

4. Move your body mindfully: Go for a walk without music or distractions, do yoga, or stretch. Physical movement can help release stored-up tension and emotions while giving your mind a break.

 

5. Connect with your breath: Whenever you catch yourself rushing or feeling anxious, pause and take a few deep, intentional breaths. This simple act brings you back into the present moment and out of the “busy” mindset.

 

6. Acknowledge your emotions: Instead of pushing your feelings away, allow yourself to sit with them. Label them—whether it’s sadness, frustration, or fear. Emotions lose some of their power when we simply acknowledge their presence rather than trying to escape them.

 

The Power of Slowing Down


When we allow ourselves to pause, we create space to reflect, breathe, and actually feel what we’ve been running from. Slowing down doesn’t make you weak; it makes you present. It’s in that stillness that you reconnect with who you are and what truly matters. The busyness may numb the discomfort temporarily, but it also numbs the joy, the clarity, and the peace that come from truly being present in your life.

 

So, next time you find yourself speeding through life, overwhelmed by your to-do list and trying to escape your emotions, remember that it’s okay to slow down. Take a moment to pause, breathe, and reconnect. The tasks can wait. Your well-being cannot.

 

Amity and I are here to remind you that achieving your goals and living a fulfilled life isn’t about how much you can do, but about how present and connected you are with yourself along the way. Let’s slow down together and create space for what truly matters. You deserve to live with intention, not just distraction.

 

Remember, true strength comes not from how much you do, but from your ability to pause, feel, and heal—because it's only when you slow down and connect with yourself that you can fully step into the life you're meant to live.



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