Introduction: In a world that constantly urges us to speed up, feeding the desire for instant gratification, I’ve noticed more people vowing to slow down to ultimately achieve more. While the saying "slow and steady wins the race" is not new, the challenge lies in applying it when life feels like a constant sprint at 90 miles a minute. This is something I have been thinking about recently, as it feels as though the last half of the month has flown by. Then an experience I had recently had served as a reminder of the incredible outcomes that can emerge when we intentionally slow down.
Taking a Step Back: The other day, I decided to book a therapy session. I firmly believe in the benefits of therapy, but I also recognize that it's a personal choice that requires commitment. For me, it had been a while since my last appointment, and knew now was a good time to book one. When I did, I grabbed the first available slot, or so I thought.
The Unplanned Detour: The morning of the appointment, I ran around tending to both business and personal tasks before heading to my 2pm appointment. I arrived at 1:59 pm, so literally not even a moment to spare. When my therapist greeted me with a surprised expression, I thought, “is my appointment now, am I supposed to be here or is she just that happy to see me?” Spoiler alert, it turned out, my appointment was indeed for that same day of the week at 2 pm, just not for that week.
Finding Opportunity in Mistakes: With her next appointment running late, we seized the opportunity to catch up and share a laugh about the mix-up. Initially, I wasn't thrilled about the time wasted. I had spent 30 minutes driving somewhere I didn’t need to be! Not to mention, I had meticulously planned out my day, the night before. This unexpected detour seemed like a setback. You may be thinking, if I had looked in my calendar, I would have known it wasn’t for that week but, I was in such a rush when I made the appointment, I didn’t add it to the correct date! Then, a shift in perspective turned this mistake into an opportunity.
Embracing the Unexpected: Instead of focusing on the time wasted, I looked at it as an opportunity to get out of the house earlier, allowing me to accomplish more and have an unexpected laugh. I managed to get to the grocery store, which was also on my to do list for that day, however, I was able to beat the rush, and return home earlier than anticipated – all without the usual stress of time constraints. It also provided the perfect amount of time I needed to sit down and write.
The Lesson Learned: This experience served as a reminder that sometimes, to truly slow down and appreciate life, we need the occasional honest mistake to remind us to do so. Had I not made that mistake, my day would have continued at a chaotic pace, leaving little room for reflection. As I unloaded the groceries, I had already been thinking about what I had accomplished that day. Then thanks to the unexpected turn of events, this article became an unexpected accomplishment I was able to add to my list.
Conclusion: In a world that often glorifies constant motion, there's immense power in slowing down. Whether it's intentional pauses, therapeutic moments, or unexpected mix-ups, these detours have the potential to enrich our lives in ways we might not have imagined, if we are open to them. So, the next time life throws a curveball, consider it an invitation to embrace the unexpected and savor the hidden treasures within the slowdown.
© 2024 by JCNewBeginnings
Excellent post! Keep Rippling with this awesome content Jessica!