IN A HURRY TO SLOW DOWN

I've always hated airports for the hurry up and wait. You have to rush to the next thing but when you get there, you're stuck waiting on everyone else that was a little faster than you. It really puts my anxiety through the wringer.

A little side note about me… if you know anything about the enneagram you'll understand this better. I'm an enneagram 9w1, which basically means I crave peace above all else, but I also have a perfectionist tendency.

But back to the point.

I mentioned in a previous post about pivoting. This post is more about the dream that caused me to pivot. I long to have a large acreage in the mountains overlooking a body of water, with chickens and pigs and maybe even a cow.

I picture myself tending to a garden, chasing after grandchildren (not anytime soon), being inspired by the landscape around me to create new designs, and reading books in the sun. The subtext behind this vision is that my business has reached a place where it supports that lifestyle without creating additional stress, something that becomes possible when you build your business on strong foundations.

“Intentional living is about living your best story.” -John C. Maxwell

But I get anxious. I want everything done. now. I want everything to already be in that picture-perfect place. My mind starts telling me I'm behind and that I need to work faster or harder to get to where I'm supposed to be. And that creates stress that doesn't need to be there.

The truth is I can only do so much in a day. Even when I want something finished immediately, even when I know it might make other things easier, I can only do so much in a day. (I repeated that last line mostly for myself.)

Yes, I could rush through things to get more work completed. I often do some of my best work when I'm overwhelmed because I have to move faster.

But then I would miss it.

I would miss the process.

I would miss the inspiration.

I would miss the joy in the work.

I would miss the opportunity to show others that it's okay to forge your own path.

So why am I in such a hurry to get to a place where I can slow down?

Why not slow down now and enjoy the journey?

One of the best parts of the season I'm in right now is that I am showing up more authentically. I am slowing down to admire the flowers. I am slowing down to draw and create. I am slowing down to get to know new people. I am slowing down to sit in the sun. I am slowing down to notice the beauty in nature. I am slowing down to read and learn and grow. I am slowing down to be the real me.

May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. -Psalms 20:4

I have a new collection releasing soon. It carries little glimpses of my heart and a deeper story that only I fully understand. But before I ever reach that "promised land" I imagine someday, I want to enjoy the journey that leads there.

Warmest regards,

P.S. If you want help creating simplified business foundations for a slowed down lifestyle, this post is for you.