HERE'S TO PACING YOURSELF THROUGH AUGUST
At some point in our lives, we have all heard that it's important to pace ourselves and not rush through life. However, at times, it can be hard to put into practice. In a world that seems to be growing more and more fast-paced by the day, it's hard to learn to slow down and not be in a hurry. When you're rushing from one appointment to the next, and looking at the calendar realizing that somehow, it's already August again, the idea of not being in a rush may feel like going against the current.
Perhaps when we start to feel the pressure of it all, and it's hard to "not be in a rush," we can choose not to try and pace ourselves everywhere, all at once. Even though that might be ideal, what if it's okay if we choose one place in our lives to not be in a rush? And then, build from there?
By giving ourselves space to take our time, we release ourselves from the pressure of trying to keep up with everyone else.
You might be taking it slow in your relationship while a friend is getting married.
You might be aiming toward a certain career goal while your peers actively take time off.
You might be venturing into a new city while it seems everyone you know is moving back to their hometowns.
When you look around and see all this movement happening, you may wonder if you're doing the right thing and in the right place at the right time. You may feel pressure to rush things along to "catch up" with everyone else. But what if there is no such thing as "catching up" to someone else? What if we are all simply at different places at different times, and it's hard to quantify?
It may be hard to release yourself from all the pressure in one go. You might have to practice working through this every day. And at the same time, you can choose to say:
"Today is the day I will identify at least one area in my life where I will say: 'I will not be in a rush. I will unapologetically take my time."
Let today be the day you choose to take your time, one area in your life at a time. And if you happen to be in a place where you art taking your time in every area of your life, that's great! But there is no shame if this has been difficult for you. So many people are feeling the pressure of it all, and it's something we can all continue to work through and encourage one another whenever we can.
Here's to pacing yourself through August, one breath at a time.
Word of the Day: Identify (v) "establish or indicate who or what (someone or something) is." (Oxford Languages)
Affirmation: I will not be in a rush. I will unapologetically take my time.
Journal: Where in your life can you choose to take your time?
More in this week's series called "The Gift of Pacing Yourself", only with a subscription in the Storyteller App.
Sincerely,
Morgan Harper Nichols
@thestorytellerco
@morganharpernichols
