I was usually quick to tell others that it is okay and even perfectly good to take a break, but then I would find over and over again that I did not always have the same empathy for myself. I had a nasty habit of telling myself that I needed to be as efficient as possible, moving from one thing to the next. When I did take a break, I felt self-conscience and even a little bit guilty about it. This is a narrative I have been working to change because I am realizing that it is a story that our modern culture has told us that actually hasn’t been serving me. So today instead of talking about having less things, we’re going to be talking about doing less.
Recently, I have found myself in a season where I don’t have the same capacity for productivity that I have in past seasons. My task load is about the same, but over and over again I have been falling short of my daily goals. A couple years ago, this would have really bothered me. I would have beat myself up for not getting things done that I usually do and pushed myself past my limits. Thankfully, that is no longer the case. Through slow living and minimalism; I have learned a lot about myself, productivity, and how to two intersect.
Hurry Sickness
I used to believe that I was a victim to the hurry I felt in my life. That I HAD to say yes when asked. That I had to fill every hour with “productive” tasks. I was that girl who had every minute of her day blocked off in my calendar to maximize every minute of every day and was proud of it.
What I have learned over the last few years is that it wasn’t the world around me that was creating the hurry. It was actually ME. I did not have to say yes all the time. I don’t have to be involved in the activities that everyone else is. I am my own person with different talents, capacities, and goals. And the narrative I was telling myself that these things were “musts” was what was keeping me stuck.
You see, by saying yes to so many things; I was actually diminishing some of my greatest gifts. By being overscheduled and over-involved in things that I wasn’t really that good at or didn’t really enjoy, I was draining myself of the life and energy needed to complete the tasks that I do enjoy and feel called to. Obviously we can’t rid ourselves of all mundane or draining tasks, but I bet there are quite a few that you could adjust or remove entirely.
Once I flipped this switch in my mind, it became so apparent to me that I alone was responsible for the hurry that I was experiencing in my own life. This turned out to be empowering because it led me to explore those things which I do truly have a gift for and want to pursue. I realized that the power to have an impact was within my hands, not at the mercy of fate or luck.
Slow Living: Less Really Is More
The phrase is overused, but as with any cliche, there is often a fair amount of truth. Sometimes less truly is more. I am not saying there can’t or shouldn’t be seasons for pushing through and pushing your limits, but we have made this into a 24-7-365 habit rather than a brief stint here and there.
We have become addicted to busyness, moving from one task to the next. Many people have unused vacation days and have a hard time taking time to rest in any form. This addiction to doing more and constant busyness has left so many chronically stressed, sleep deprived, depressed, and anxious. I’m not saying hurry is the only cause for these conditions but definitely a contributor.
Because of the side effects of hurry, our days are busier and fuller than ever before and yet, one has to ask, are we really getting that much done? Sure, it is easy to check emails and tasks off of a to-do list, but are we actually investing well in the people around us and the work we’ve been given to do, or just simply going through the motions to get through the list? When I was honest with myself, the latter was overwhelming true for me.
Perhaps, the answer to a more fulfilled, productive life was to start doing less. That meant cutting out some of the “fluff” or those things which weren’t aligned with my the person I wanted to become. Once I began re-prioritizing tasks to be more in line with my goals as a follower of Christ, wife, and professional; I started to see what a drain the excess busyness was on both my energy and creativity and wanted to rid myself of as much of it as possible.
Quality Over Quantity
Perhaps another cliche, but also another powerful reminder that doing a few things well is far more powerful than doing many things poorly. And honestly, the former is also more life-giving.
So back to my current season. I am moving slower than I used to these days. Where I used to get 3 or 4 bigger tasks done in a day, I now only get 2 or 3. Instead of bolting out of bed and starting on my to-do list, I gently ease into my mornings in preparation for the day ahead. And I am okay with that. In fact, I even believe that it will benefit me in the long run.
Because what I know now is that if I pushed myself past my limits for too long; I would eventually crash and burn out. I know because it has happened to me before.While this season may be a time where I have a lower capacity, I believe that it is re-charging me for a future season in which my capacity for work will expand.
More Slow Living Posts You Might Enjoy…
Slow Down: The Greatest Productivity Hack
Slow Living When Life Feels Fast
15 Things I Quit As A Minimalist
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