Slow down, take a breath
Mansur's Musings
The world is big. Huge in fact. There are a trillion and one things happening simultaneously… right now. Even just in our own individual lives, so much is going on. And now that it’s October, we’ve rounded that corner in the year where things are ramping up for everyone. Kids have been back in school for a while now, Q4 madness is starting, and the first signs of a changing season have us bracing for darker days and colder nights.
So, what better time than now, while the sun is still shining into the evening, to stop and give yourself a moment to appreciate all you’ve accomplished this year so far? And if you’ve been taking a much-needed break for large chunks of this year (as I have) then let’s stop together and appreciate how much better we feel for the rest we’ve taken.
When we are frantic, scattered and buzzingly busy, that’s when we can benefit most from pausing what we’re doing for a few moments. It’s hard to make good choices when we’re so wrapped up in deadlines and other pressures to the point that we can’t even notice our own breathing, how our feet feel in our shoes, or the temperature in the room. Sometimes it feels impossible to stop, and in some cases, it might be true, but if my surgeon starts hyperventilating in the middle of a procedure I would rather them stop for a second and breathe than keep working with shaky hands.
I like to reverse the phrase “don’t just stand there, do something” so you get, “don’t just do something, stand there.” In a world which prioritizes productivity — often with surprisingly little concern for what is being produced — it’s important to remember that our value doesn’t depend on how productive we are and how busy we appear to be.
At the same time, recognizing when we’re going too fast and actually being able to stop ourselves in those moments takes time, so let’s remember to give ourselves grace when building even the simplest new habits and behaviours. Spontaneously becoming aware of the panic-spiral while we’re in it is no easy task. But eventually it gets easier and easier to put the worries down for a few seconds, then a few minutes, and one day maybe even for an hour or two.
For today, I’m writing this piece to give you (and me) a nudge, a little reminder that we’re doing our best and we should acknowledge that. In fact, now is a great time to reconnect with yourself, even if it’s just for the next two minutes out of your day.
So why don’t you take a moment at the end of this sentence to close your eyes, breathe, and think about even the smallest good that has happened this year, letting that spark carry you through the rest of your day.
Thanks Aliyah, you’ve reminded us of what we may already know, but we ignore the beauty and bounty around us. We need to take time, even those two minutes, to reconnect with our selves and each other.
I’m enjoying your columns, by the way, and your fresh take on the community. I hope the business sector is reading.
Best wishes for your undoubtedly stellar, upcoming career in writing.