In first grade, I got an A in “conscientiousness” on my report card. Remember when we were rated on that? It wasn’t Pass/Fail back then, it was basically, “is this child eating paste or do they show promise of not turning into a complete sociopath?”
My teacher also wrote in the Notes section: “Katy is doing well, but she needs to slow down and think before she acts at times.” Wow. The library is open and this kid has been read to filth by Mrs. Pfaentner. Also, how are you going to have a name with that many consonants when you’re responsible for teaching children how to spell? I also learned about irony in that class.
Learning to slow down has been my life’s work, a battle between my impulsive LET’S DO ALL THE ADVENTURES and the much-needed down time where my introvert can recharge. One of the reasons I started my own business was so that I could set the balance between working things out in my head and taking time to unplug. We’ve all lived through a lot over the past year (vast understatement), and I was recently reminded of the importance of being off grid when I hiked the John Muir Trail this June. I blogged about the trip on The Trek, if you are into that kind of hiker nerd stuff.
The trip reset my mental health. It always does. There is really something, for me, about the mix of extreme effort and stillness that I need to factory reset my brain. So, coming off trail and back into the Land of On-Demand Lattes, I’ve been in conversation with friends who are similarly taking a step back to see what they’re learning. I want to take a page from people who are skeptical of this whole “let’s get back to normal” business. The universe slowed us down for a reason, right? …right?!?
Here’s to the ones prioritizing hugging their family for the first time in over a year or staring at their tomato plants or simply laying down with some music on and zoning out.
Here’s to resisting “grind culture” (to quote The Nap Ministry). I’ve been complicit plenty of times. It comes hand in hand with Queer Achievement Syndrome.
Here’s to asking, “Can we take more time and be thoughtful about this project?”
Here’s to the ones giving themselves permission to be.
I have to remind myself that the work will be there. It’s still as important as ever, and we can serve others better when we take care of ourselves.