In a world that prioritizes convenience and speed, why would we ever want to slow down? Each new innovation promotes how to simplify our processes and make things happen a whole lot quicker.

When delivering UberEats to your door, the app shares how much time you saved just by ordering food straight to you.

If you’re needing a random item by tomorrow, Amazon can make it happen, and sometimes even in a few hours.

With society pushing us towards ease, we find ourselves filling our time with more and more. And while the effects of this is a whole topic of its own, we’re going to focus on some practical steps to help maintain slowness in a world of busy. Because…

“Every convenience gained is another skill lost.”

RuthAnn Zimmerman

1. Minimize your notifications

Does anyone else’s phone seem to go off every few minutes?

When your phone lights up and catches you off guard, your train of thought is interrupted so quickly; whether this be in a conversation or while working on a project. Distractions are more prevalent today than they’ve ever been. It seems every person has some variation of an ADHD diagnosis. We’re all in a “hurry.”

The quickest way to ease these distractions is to evaluate everything that is popping up on your screen.

A “locked” phone is when your screen is black and a notification lights up your phone. Your Notification Center is where all of your alerts sit if they haven’t been checked.

• What do I have popping up on my screen other than text messages or calls? Are these notifications necessary; do I need to be aware of them as soon as they happen?
  • If you answer “no” to any notifications, either turn them totally off or change that alert to not show up on your Lock Screen.
• If you still want to be made aware of these notifications instantly but need moments of tuning them out, utilize your Focus feature. Turning on this feature allows you to only see your notifications when you reach for your phone and choose to look. You can even set up phone calls to still come through if you’re concerned about missing an important call.

Ultimate challenge: Anybody else want to get on the “calls only” train? Honestly, it feels like a major step, but how much more intentional would our questions and interactions be if they were dedicated to a phone call alone? After all, this is how our parents and grandparents lived for so long.

2. Stop multitasking

The next action you can take is to eliminate working on multiple things at once. I know the task list is ever-growing and never-ending. Everything in our culture tells you to pick up the pace and do as many things as you can at once.

“How can I accomplish things faster?”

What if I told you that you should actually do the opposite? What if it was more worthwhile and sustainable to do less? And better quality?

Slowing down to take your time on a task allows for more intentionality and better results. Less is more, right?

Even when you’re not putting in the work, we multitask with entertainment too.

It takes just as much time, if not longer, to work on multiple things at a time than simply setting your focus on one alone. Next time you have a whole list of tasks to get done, take them one at a time instead of working on them all a little bit at a time. I think your work might be a little more satisfying.

3. Get outside for 10-15 minutes, even 5!

Taking time to be present with the outside world puts things into perspective.

Bonus points if you leave your phone inside.

Unplug from the “faux” world around you. Because we are able to tune into the news and understand events happening on the other side of the world, we feel like we’re involved in everything that is going on.

(Don’t get me wrong. It’s okay to mourn the passing of a beloved actor, but how does it change your day-to-day life?)

Put down your phone, step outside. Observe the world that’s directly around you. It’s much slower-paced and simplistic than it might feel when you’re aware of international news. Practice this as often as you can and it’ll help life feel a little more peaceful.

4. Be present with your meals

This one goes hand-in-hand with multitasking.

If you’re taking your lunch break by yourself or enjoying dinner alone, you might reach for entertainment to keep you occupied. Whether it’s scrolling social media or catching up on the latest episode, it’s easy to look for distractions to pass the time.

Though it may sound silly, being present with your food helps to eat in a timely manner and be aware of how you’re eating. When you’re not paying attention, you might scarf your food down a bit too quickly or peck at your food and not absorb the benefits of a full, satiating meal.

It might be harder for some than others, but next time you enjoy a meal alone, try sitting with yourself. If that’s a bit too daunting of a step, put on some music or a podcast to keep your mind occupied while still focusing on your food.

5. Find a new hobby

If you’re reaching for your phone to start scrolling when you’re bored, find something else to keep you busy. When you have a break, it’s easy to want to veg and “doom-scroll.” This is a crowd-favorite because it’s easy and addictive.

There are other activities that can be just as easy, but more rewarding and refreshing. A timeless go-to? Reading. Find a book in the genre you love.

Prayer. As a believer, this is often a lost practice. If you haven’t prayed lately, maybe try spending more time at the feet of Jesus.

If you don’t believe in prayer, another great practice is taking time for gratitude. When you have a moment, spend a few minutes writing down three intentional things you are specifically grateful for that day.

Appreciate life

Slowing down might seem like the opposite of progress, especially depending on how you define success. But when all these material things disintegrate, if they were just wiped away, what does your life look like?

In a fleeting world where life goes by so swiftly, taking time to see life just as it is makes us more intentional. And sometimes, a little more thankful.

OG