2020 was the year most of our lives were put on hold in some way. Which could have hindered our work projects, personal goals and even relationships. So it’s normal to feel like we want to fast track to the end result. But in doing that, we sometimes forget about the now. We’re expecting things to happen almost instantly, cutting corners to reach our goals. We say we’re happy to achieve what we wanted to, but the quality may have suffered as a result.
I wrote this post to think about why it’s essential to focus not only on the end result but on savouring the present. Looking to the future can have us daydreaming and sometimes living in a fantasy rather than getting the work done. So, it’s necessary to slow down at times if you start to feel frustrated about what stage of your life you’re in.
Below is a list of 6 ways we can slow down and avoid rushing through life:
1) Avoid questioning if what you’re doing is enough. This is easier said than done! It’s easy to be critical and hard on ourselves because we want to keep pushing our limits. I wrote an article last year titled, am I good enough? and spoke on why it’s important to remember that you’re doing the best that you can. We are made to go through many of life’s facets one step at a time. So, if you start adding unnecessary pressure, it can be detrimental to your well-being because you’ll always be focusing on the next task to do rather than what you’ve already accomplished.
2) Stop the comparison. Life is not a race. I will always mention the point that comparing yourself to others will kill your joy. We don’t know what help other people received to get where they are today. You could be scrolling through Instagram and feel like you’re not at someone else’s level at your age. But that’s just what you see on the surface. Focusing on what you need to do in your life rather than focusing on someone else’s will put into perspective your achievements so far, big and small.
3) Prioritise goals. We may have a lot going on, and that can be overwhelming in itself. So, it’s a great idea to prioritise what needs to be completed first, and balance the right amount of time and attention to it.
4) Patience is key. Another point that’s probably easier said than done! We live in a society where everything is fast-paced, from social media trends to ever-changing news announcements. I also mentioned in a post last year the importance of taking a break. It’s vital to our productivity and can provide clarity when it’s desperately needed.
5) Ask yourself, what’s the hurry? Sometimes, we can be so transfixed in getting to the end result that we don’t even appreciate all the work before it. I know there are moments in our lives that we would rather skip past, like dealing with grief, loss and hardships. But acknowledging and accepting both the good and bad aspects is essential in progressing emotionally, physically and mentally. It’s more challenging to move on from hardship if we’re trying to ignore it altogether. These issues don’t go away by themselves, and avoiding them will affect us negatively in the long run.
6) Reflect on how far you’ve come! Reflect on the journey so far and how it has shaped you as a person. Many of us were tired of lockdown and the imposed restrictions, so it’s understandable to want to do the most now. But, remember there’s no rush! You’ve come this far, and you’ll continue to grow when the timing is right. Your journey is not the same as someone in the same field or with the same age as you, so don’t think you’re not doing enough when you’re right on track!
I hope these tips can help you look at life’s journey from a different perspective. One that isn’t in a rush but enjoying each day as it comes!
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–Seraphina
Words By Seraphina 