Oh gosh. Practicing stillness is just the beginning and such a full one ! Pausing gives me a chance to nourish the part of me that holds my compassion, for myself and for others. I’m a life long meditation student and the value of resting out of interest in thought and the often accompanied urge to DO is still as strong as ever. Curiously, that’s how I’ve gotten to know myself best, as your daughter knows!
I’m entering the process of divorce at a time in my life when one would think stability and ease of being would be the result of a life well lived.
The pauses I take now are more fruitful than I could have imagined.
The slow factor puts life not on hold but opens us to life and the mystery more intimately.
Thanks for being here to inspire me to feel this gesture we are making in slowing down to be lived.
This this THIS. Did you really write it for me? 😏. I have written my substack every single day, though not at the same quality, every single day since I started in early November 2022. I retired five. Months earlier yet I created a full time job. Duh? I am struggling with permitting myself. Your note helps me so much. I beat up until I FIND something every day to discuss but perhaps I should listen more, eh? Thank you. Be slow, Lucy, be slow.
Ha! Like you, I am a woman who loves a routine. I also love writing. But when the routine starts owning *you*, instead of the other way around, it's time to shake it up. Take a break. Your readers will understand (like you do me!) and you will come back stronger and more energized. Permission granted! 😘
Lucy, I love the “silence” part. I believe it was Beethoven who said that the silences in between the notes are just as important as the notes themselves. In fact, it’s the silences between the notes that make the music.
So much wisdom here. I used to really struggle with slowing down because I thought that my self-worth was determined by how productive I was. Still struggle with it, but now I think about it less as slow vs. busy and more like deliberate vs. thoughtless. It’s so easy to go on autopilot and get swept up in being busy, so it’s important to build in time to ourselves to examine if we’re focusing on the things that are most important to us. Consciousness, as you say.
Side note: Here are some things I’ve found inspirational in case anyone else would enjoy them!
I'm not proud to say it- I am too sedentary. Be it my sedentary hobbies (reading, sewing, meal planning, cooking), I struggle to create activity, living in a fairly new city. I have no trouble with quieting my mind, usually. I have 2 people in my life who are not happy unless their daily calendar is filled. That is not me and I don't envy them. BUT- It's work for me to invent things to make me move more: going to Lowes w my husband (who enjoys being busy too), which 30 minute workout to start the day with, etc. I'm not over weight or disabled. I'm an introverted homebody.
Am retired and try to schedule gym, errands, and appointments (for both me and my husband since he no longer drives) on weekday mornings, leaving most afternoons and weekends for quiet time or socializing. Catch up on social media, read, play online solitare, or just sit there. ♥♥♥
I LOVE this post, Lucy. Since retiring from teaching I have tried to start each day in a private space (my “sanctuary,” a small guest room in my home) doing a bit of yoga, a guided meditation, and writing in my morning journal. The whole ritual takes about one hour. Lately I have felt some resistance to spending valuable morning time in this way and have been skipping some or all of these things, in order to be more “productive”. Your note reminds me of how much insight and clarity I get from these sessions, and how much better I feel afterwards. So, thanks for the goal of a slow August. I will do my best to use the month get back on track with my morning routine.
I might copy your routine, Ruth!! I would do it at night, because I am more of a night person than a morning person, but simply taking that time - any time of day - sounds delicious!
For me, stillness and quiet are much harder to achieve than movement and tumult. Slowing down is like sailing against a strong current. I will try to drift with the current and join you on the SLO-August journey.
Having never had the kind of energy you describe (jealous), I was ‘forced’ to develop comfort with a lot of ‘down time.’ This led to productive/meaningful allocation of how I spent my days during my career and while raising my son. Looking back, I don’t think I missed much and I adored all my work choices and time with my son. Quiet time now is reflection of continuing to find life choices which bring me joy.
Wow I needed this today! I’m struggling with a “forced stillness” (job layoff) while trying to embrace this gift and giving myself permission to take the summer off. Some days I do better than others. Who doesn’t enjoy a drawer or closet that’s been cleaned out? But sitting still and allowing myself to grieve the loss of my sister earlier this year doesn’t come easy either. So I’m doing more moving meditations and practicing mindfulness. Good luck to us both! 🫶
Lucy, this is perfect and so PERFECTLY timed for this final dip in the summer, before we climb back to the busyness of September. I feel the same way! I love the way you point out that it takes intentional energy to slow down… thank you for a terrific post.
Oh gosh. Practicing stillness is just the beginning and such a full one ! Pausing gives me a chance to nourish the part of me that holds my compassion, for myself and for others. I’m a life long meditation student and the value of resting out of interest in thought and the often accompanied urge to DO is still as strong as ever. Curiously, that’s how I’ve gotten to know myself best, as your daughter knows!
I’m entering the process of divorce at a time in my life when one would think stability and ease of being would be the result of a life well lived.
The pauses I take now are more fruitful than I could have imagined.
The slow factor puts life not on hold but opens us to life and the mystery more intimately.
Thanks for being here to inspire me to feel this gesture we are making in slowing down to be lived.
I love this. Thank you for your wisdom!
This this THIS. Did you really write it for me? 😏. I have written my substack every single day, though not at the same quality, every single day since I started in early November 2022. I retired five. Months earlier yet I created a full time job. Duh? I am struggling with permitting myself. Your note helps me so much. I beat up until I FIND something every day to discuss but perhaps I should listen more, eh? Thank you. Be slow, Lucy, be slow.
Ha! Like you, I am a woman who loves a routine. I also love writing. But when the routine starts owning *you*, instead of the other way around, it's time to shake it up. Take a break. Your readers will understand (like you do me!) and you will come back stronger and more energized. Permission granted! 😘
Lucy, I love the “silence” part. I believe it was Beethoven who said that the silences in between the notes are just as important as the notes themselves. In fact, it’s the silences between the notes that make the music.
BIG HUG
I love this, Michael. Silence can be hard but you are right it can also be beautiful.
So much wisdom here. I used to really struggle with slowing down because I thought that my self-worth was determined by how productive I was. Still struggle with it, but now I think about it less as slow vs. busy and more like deliberate vs. thoughtless. It’s so easy to go on autopilot and get swept up in being busy, so it’s important to build in time to ourselves to examine if we’re focusing on the things that are most important to us. Consciousness, as you say.
Side note: Here are some things I’ve found inspirational in case anyone else would enjoy them!
Podcast: How to Spend Time on What You Value
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-know-whats-real/id1587046024?i=1000583638946
Loitering is Delightful, by Ross Gay
https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2019/02/11/loitering-is-delightful/
The Fourth Pillar of Health: Nature Time
https://www.yesmagazine.org/health-happiness/2024/07/03/diet-exercise-nature-prescription
Hope everyone enjoys their slo-August, whatever that looks like for them! 😎
I really appreciate these links!! I plan to do a lot of reading and listening over the next few weeks, so thank you!
While it's the opposite season, "Wintering" by Katherine May is a wonderful read about going within and resting deeply. Highly recommend!
I love this book. So so good. Thank you for reminding me.
I'm not proud to say it- I am too sedentary. Be it my sedentary hobbies (reading, sewing, meal planning, cooking), I struggle to create activity, living in a fairly new city. I have no trouble with quieting my mind, usually. I have 2 people in my life who are not happy unless their daily calendar is filled. That is not me and I don't envy them. BUT- It's work for me to invent things to make me move more: going to Lowes w my husband (who enjoys being busy too), which 30 minute workout to start the day with, etc. I'm not over weight or disabled. I'm an introverted homebody.
Great minds! I mention the same advice in tomorrow's post! 🥰
NICE!!
I'm in.
hoowee!
My bday is July 31. I was looking for something like this at this time and you just popped up in my LinkedIn feed.
Karma!
Am retired and try to schedule gym, errands, and appointments (for both me and my husband since he no longer drives) on weekday mornings, leaving most afternoons and weekends for quiet time or socializing. Catch up on social media, read, play online solitare, or just sit there. ♥♥♥
Nice!!
I LOVE this post, Lucy. Since retiring from teaching I have tried to start each day in a private space (my “sanctuary,” a small guest room in my home) doing a bit of yoga, a guided meditation, and writing in my morning journal. The whole ritual takes about one hour. Lately I have felt some resistance to spending valuable morning time in this way and have been skipping some or all of these things, in order to be more “productive”. Your note reminds me of how much insight and clarity I get from these sessions, and how much better I feel afterwards. So, thanks for the goal of a slow August. I will do my best to use the month get back on track with my morning routine.
Ruth
I might copy your routine, Ruth!! I would do it at night, because I am more of a night person than a morning person, but simply taking that time - any time of day - sounds delicious!
“Be still and know that I am God”
Just be. 🙏
I’m joining uou Lucy on August 1st! Great morning advice! Thank you.
Giddy up! :)
For me, stillness and quiet are much harder to achieve than movement and tumult. Slowing down is like sailing against a strong current. I will try to drift with the current and join you on the SLO-August journey.
Yay!
Having never had the kind of energy you describe (jealous), I was ‘forced’ to develop comfort with a lot of ‘down time.’ This led to productive/meaningful allocation of how I spent my days during my career and while raising my son. Looking back, I don’t think I missed much and I adored all my work choices and time with my son. Quiet time now is reflection of continuing to find life choices which bring me joy.
I love this, Lila.
Wow I needed this today! I’m struggling with a “forced stillness” (job layoff) while trying to embrace this gift and giving myself permission to take the summer off. Some days I do better than others. Who doesn’t enjoy a drawer or closet that’s been cleaned out? But sitting still and allowing myself to grieve the loss of my sister earlier this year doesn’t come easy either. So I’m doing more moving meditations and practicing mindfulness. Good luck to us both! 🫶
Indeed - let's wish each other luck and permission to sit still ❤️
Lucy, this is perfect and so PERFECTLY timed for this final dip in the summer, before we climb back to the busyness of September. I feel the same way! I love the way you point out that it takes intentional energy to slow down… thank you for a terrific post.
Thank you for reading it, Debbie!