Hi, my name is Lindsay and I am a "busy-aholic." I'm always taking on more than I can handle and I don't know how to use the word "no." I define myself by my daily productivity while tackling my to-do lists. Can you relate?
Sadly, this is the norm for most Americans. We are constantly adding more to our plate and going 100mph each day. I am 100% guilty of this. In fact, I don't know what to do if I have spare time. I can't sit still! But luckily, I've married a foreigner (my Kiwi
hubs) who has taught me the importance of slowly things down. Sit, relax, no I mean REALLY relax. Take a bath, read a book while sipping on some tea, spend hours sitting at the dinner table with a good meal and good company. In other words, don't look at your to-do list, don't look at clock, and turn off your phone!
This past Saturday evening, I decided to slow things down........
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| The hubs favorite restaurant (MAUDIES) just opened a new location in the Hill Country- YEA! |
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| 1st basket of GLUTEN FREE chips and salsa. We sat and enjoyed our outside table for a while |
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| Then there was wine.....still enjoying the outside and no decisions on ordering yet. Taking our time.... |
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| Another glass? Sure! |
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| an hour later....yummm.... |
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| keep it coming! |
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| post dinner (2 hours later)....happy bellies and good conversation! |
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| Next we wandered here. A little reading and relaxing! |
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| what better to read with than a hot cuppa tea?! |
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| I found myself glued to this section of course. |
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| and a handsome man (aka "the hubs") to sit next too! |
Now its Monday, I'm refreshed, I'm relaxed, ready for the week. This week I will make sure to eat my meals at the table. Not in the car, not by my computer, not with the TV on. I will turn my phone on silent after 7pm, and I will take time to SLOW things down. Quality over Quantity, right? Wish me luck!!
How do you slow things down, or do you?
Cheers,
LC
24 comments:
It's OK to slow it down a bit, and how often do I need this reminder. Good for you:)
How do I slow down? Sleep :) But thankfully Big J and I are able to go fishing quite a bit - which is a very nice way to relax!
I kept my eyes open for your hubs in Augusta - but I did not see him. I was all ready with "Hi - my name is chloe and I read your wife's blog. good luck tomorrow" Ha!!
I need to do that!! Next weekend I promised myself that I'm not taking any trips because I am ALWAYS on the go! I'm not really a "list maker" but I just want to do EVERYTHING and say yes to EVERYONE so then I get overwhelmed. I feeling that way right now, so this post was very timely!!! Thanks, friend!
it's always important to remember to slow down! glad you were able to this weekend :) we don't have to do it all! (i'm guilty of trying, too, so i'm hoping i remember my own advice!)
I like your weekend version of slowing down, that same type of format helps me too :) My favourite is Brett and I taking a 30min walk to our local cafe and just browing through the free papers and books they have there, then meandering back. Also, I find something about walking through all the Fall colours very relaxing....
definitely can relate! I'm terrible at sitting still, but give me a week at the ocean beach & sun, a few good books and I will lay for 8 hours without moving an inch. But I know it will only be for a week! Yoga helps slow me down during the rest of the year- but that's as close to still as I get!
P.S. that restaurant looks like it has yummy yummy food! I'm adding it to my list of reasons Austin makes a better home than Canada! ;)
I just like to be in my house watching tv or catching up on the computer. that is slowing it down for me! and welcomed when I have time for it.
I totally need to take a leaf out of the 'slow down' book :) It's been crazy around here lately!
I could live in barnes and nobel! Seriously, that what i do on rainy days when i get bored sitting at home.
Yay to slowing thngs down, i need to start doing that!
Slow down?! How is there time?? ;)
I just curl up and read.
Sounds like the story of my life....B&N is like my second home!!!
When I lay down in bed I let a big sigh of relief. It's my favorite part of the day. I try to chill with Mike for an hour each night too.
What a great way to spend an evening. It's soooo hard for me to slow down too. The last time we had a meal like that was for our anniversary. We didn't rush, we just enjoyed. Need to do that far more often.
I can sooo relate to that. I never slow down and when I do, I feel antsy most of the time. You and your "hubs" are too cute! I'm glad you had a nice date night. :)
Great post Lindsay! I think a LOT of women can relate to you on that, including myself. I've learned to relax after my body gave me signs of exhaustion: I had no choice but to slow.down.
The library sounds like an amazing way to start relaxing! I could be sitting on a couch doing nothing all day, as long as I have a good book on hand! I actually read a really good book a few years ago (it was in french though: "L'Éloge de la Lenteur") and discusses the new worldwide "slow" movements. Quite interesting!
Keep it up girl, you deserve to pamper yourslef! :)
It is a lot easier for me to slow down now that I'm a stay at home mom. I find that having set time in the evening to read or watch a favorite show together makes both my husband and I slow down and just relax. SO important to our health!
Wow Lindsay, that was so relaxing to read! I was imagining myself doing the same thing : ) Thanks for the imaginary break! My hubby loves Road Bike magazine. He stands around at Borders and reads either that or a gun magazine. Fun times! Enjoy relaxing!!
Nicole
I absolutely LOVE yalls date.. I love book stores!!! Gah I am terrible at slowing down in college, but every night when I have my quiet time, it's really nice to STOP and really analyze and pray about what God is doing in my life. I also love to slow down by going on walks, I know that sounds like an oxymoron but they are SO relaxing for me and such a nice escape! LOVE YOU!
Girl, I know how hard it is to slow down. I spend so much time multi-tasking even when I am doing leisure activities.
Your saturday sounded like a great relaxing time, I know that I enjoy a good meal then a little time in the bookstore (I miss my 1/2 price books I could spend hours and millions in there)
What a perfect night! I love Maudie's (but my heart belongs to Guero's). Billy and I do the same thing certain nights at restaurants...just take our time, don't let the server rush us into ordering quickly and get into some good conversation. We've had a lot of time to do that on the trip...but home to Dallas tonight!
Hello, Lindsay, from a fellow busyholic .
Now, to find myself a hot kiwi who will mend my ways...
I Think that getting out of the house helps me! So like you, gotta go out for a meal otherwise i tend to jump up and down from the table FAR too many times!
Wish we still had the outdoor seating like you do!
This post is suuuuch a good reminder to slow down and enjoy time with oneself, the husband, friends, etc. I have difficulting sitting still myself, and my husband gets really annoyed if I check my phone (i.e., Twitter feed) at home in the evenings. So now I put it away and focus on him instead.
I totally need to take a leaf out of the 'slow down' book :) It's been crazy around here lately!
I just like to be in my house watching tv or catching up on the computer. that is slowing it down for me! and welcomed when I have time for it.
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