5 Simple Shifts to Slow You Down When Life Speeds Up

Our temptation to normalize hurry and hustle is real. In fact, many of us feel like hustle is the only option to simply keep up with life. But what if there were simple daily shifts to help keep your pace slow and steady in a hectic season of life? Consider shifting one of these regular rhythms to slow you down when life speeds up.

1. Protect one activity.

It’s never too late to set your preferred pace. Deciding ahead of time allows you to operate in a proactive rather than a reactive mode. What is one area as a family that you want to protect each week? Is it a weekly devotion, an outdoor walk, or a slower morning? By choosing an activity each week to protect, you can conserve your energy and streamline your focus on what matters most.

Making time for homemade family meals helps us slow down, unplug, and reconnect. Even if it’s only once or twice a week, time around the table helps ground you during busy weeks. What is one activity for you that is worth protecting?

2. Start earlier.

Sleep is always a luxury. So, when my children were young, I woke up when they did to protect my rest. Now with teenagers, I still value rest, but early mornings offer a unique invitation to enjoy a quiet house.

If you feel the busyness pulling you in different directions this time of year, start your day 30 minutes earlier and anchor yourself with quieter mornings that steady your pace. Proverbs 16:9 reminds us that, “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps. (ESV) Be encouraged that even when our plans go awry, we can trust that God is still working out His plans in our lives.

3. Categorize your commitments.

The pressure to say yes when opportunities arise to serve, volunteer, or commit is real. As life speeds up, my palms grow sweaty, and my mind races as I consider the calendar commitments. Especially in a season of grief or transition, I recognize my limited capacity to tackle what previously felt normal. Rather than feel guilty when a no is given, I’ve embraced my limitations by protecting margin each day.

Every season is not for everything. So, evaluate your weekly commitments for the next few months and categorize them into three categories to get you started: “yes,” “no,” and “not right now.” Then consider whether there is one “yes” commitment that you can shift to “not right now.”

4. Incorporate healthy transitions

One of my favorite ways to slow down is to remain mindful of the transition time between one activity and another. For example, if I’ve been working all morning and am transitioning into the afternoon, I allow myself a 30-minute walk outside to clear my head and move my body. Time spent in the car, in a waiting room, or in brief pauses before the next commitment all offer us moments to slow down and recharge.

What if instead of hurrying through transitions, you choose to listen to music that calms you, encourages you, and refocuses you on your next task? In a truly turbulent season, consider listening to a worship song, pausing to enjoy a cup of tea, or allowing yourself one minute of pause to say a prayer before the next demand. Healthy transitions allow us to remain intentional in those seemingly insignificant moments of our day and turn them into meaningful mental resets.

5. Define “enough”.

Lastly, we all feel like our to-do list is endless, but I’ve discovered that peace prevails when I define my “enough” for the day. To help, write down the top three things that matter most and place an asterisk beside the top priority.

I’ve found that if I don’t take time to identify what “enough” means for me that day, then I risk chasing after many areas that deplete my time and energy. Remember, you are a work in progress, and so is your to-do list. Make progress on one thing a day and let go of chasing completion on every task each day.

Entering a new month will undoubtedly bring its own challenges and transitions, so it is important to remain mindful of your commitments and adjust accordingly to prevent burnout. The world will leave us weary unless we intentionally address creative ways to slow down. These small shifts will allow you to pause, protect, and plan your days so that you can better enjoy the moments that matter most even as life speeds up.