Speed is the most valuable thing in the modern world. Everything has to be done fast, has to move fast and has to be resolved fast. People walk fast, drive fast, talk fast, eat fast and even make love fast. The feeling of the lack of time is almost constant and so everyone is hurrying to live. But don’t we really have no time to slow down?
After all, time is something that exists only within the human realm. There is no huge space clock, hanging up the sky, telling us how much time we have left for every task of life. Time was created by humans, and it is now controlling us. For women, it can be more difficult to get things done fast. Why? Because woman’s natural state of being is stillness and being in the process. Her final goal is not the actual final goal. Her goal is the process itself. The best thing a woman can do is to slow down.
Why do we need to slow down?
Well, this is different, you might think. It is, but it is also more natural, nurturing and in the end more effective from woman’s nature perspective. By slowing down, we allow ourselves to feel more, and eventually to live more. We can feel more of what is happening within us, and outside of us. If we constantly in the rush, we end up missing beautiful details of life, we end up having headaches, depression and chronic fatigue. Because we constantly have a feeling that we don’t have enough time. But we do, we have plenty! We just need to slow down.
There is a subtle border between complete laziness or stagnation and constant rushing. It is called “slowing down”. It is good to move in the rhythm of the Universe and the outside world, but is it even better to move with your own inner rhythm. When you do that, you know the right time to do things, the right amount and with the right attitude. You allow yourself to step out and contemplate before you act. You have the balance that doesn’t let you crush yourself on a speed when you make another turn of life, but stay present and calm, full of your own self.
The ability to slow down help us simply be. And we can be there in our own true authentic beingness, truly ourselves. Listening to what our heart tells us to do. And as an added bonus, it adds beauty and glow. How can we slow down? There are several ways to do it. Here is a list of my favorite ones.
1. Long hair
Long hair will not let us rush. We need to actually take time to take care of it, to brush it, wash it, make some hairdo. It is a natural speed stopper. The longer the hair – the longer the break. Take time and actually enjoy your hair, make it a ritual. This is your time, when you take care of your hair.
2. Long nails
This one is just recently discovered by me and I love it a lot. I’ve never had any interest in long nails. I’ve always thought they are inconvenient, because they don’t allow me to do things FAST enough. Where do I rush, I wonder?.. Now that I have long nails, I am naturally slower and even graceful. I need time to open that box, or to type something, or to fix something. And I love it! Long nails are our little helpers.
3. Long dresses
This is another example when women refuse to wear them because they make us slower. It is not effective enough, they usually think. Well, effective enough for what? For you to make faster wider steps? To run around quicker? Do you think this makes you more of woman? I feel like it is making us more of a man, don’t you think? Woman naturally is more beautiful in dresses and skirts, and even more beautiful when she moves slowly. What a sight! You are not any less of a woman in pants, but you are definitely more of a woman in a skirt.
4. Long heels
The same as dresses, heels are not only a fashionable accessorize, but a wonderful tool to slow down and walk mindfully. You really have to be aware of your whole body and posture to be able to move. It makes you whole body look toned, you carry yourself with elegance and slow royal dignity. Don’t you want to look like a queen? Heels can help you with that.
5. Slow eating
When you eat – eat. Enjoy every single bit of it. To make it more enjoyable, get yourself just one piece of cake and eat it like it is your last one. Or better yet – your first one! Can you feel the sweetness of it? The texture? Do you enjoy the scent of vanilla or chocolate? Can you feel the mixture of tastes in your mouth? You can absolutely have that dessert as long as you enjoy it to the fullest. FEEL what you eat with your whole being.
6. Personal space
Create your own personal space if you haven’t already. Make sure it is only and only yours. It can be just your desk. But anything that is on your desk should be only yours, they way you like it. It should bring smile to your face and the sense of inspiration. This is your sacred space of slowing down. When you are there, the world stops.
7. Self scan
Make a reminder, on a post-it note or on a phone, about self-check daily. “What do I feel right now?”, “How does my body feel?”, “What do I really want right now?”, “What do I see, hear right now?”. Those are all the questions that allow you to make a stop and actually scan yourself. You will feel better because you will know better where you are now, and even maybe why.
8. Breathing
This one is super easy and accessible every time and everywhere. Just stop everything that you do for a minute or two, and pay attention to your breath. You may notice it is shallow – make it deeper, you’ll relax. You may notice it is fast, slow it down. Just breathe for a few minutes and you will self-reset from just that. I cannot advise this one often enough.
Slowing down for woman is crucial. It is bringing us to our own feminine essence, the essence of being in the present moment. It is healing for all our body, it is very soothing emotionally. Since we are the nurtures of this world, it is our sacred duty to stay calm, and full of energy and peace. Slowing down is one good way of becoming so.
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