Do you ever feel like you’re in a rush. Constantly moving between one thing and another, your brain in a fog?
I used to think I had to be constantly on the go, constantly doing. But motherhood and homemaking have taught me to slow down and I’ve become better because of it.
Today I’m sharing my journey to slower living.
I still remember the day I realized I needed a change. 11 years ago, my son was a baby laying in his bouncy seat and his head was turned sideways because something on the wall had caught his attention.
I looked and saw that it was light filtered in from the window, but there was a shadow of the tree’s leaves dancing on the wall.
I stopped what I was doing to watch the leaves’ shadow dance as well.
I remember standing there in the middle of my dining room in complete silence and stillness for at least a couple of minutes just watching the leaves.
While I stood there, I realized it had been a long time since I had embraced stillness.
Usually, I was either cleaning, or cooking with an audiobook or talking to someone, or running an errand with the radio playing, or looking at a screen in front of me or going for a walk while listening to a podcast.
And in between all of those things, I was rushing. Rushing to complete one thing only to then start something else and rush to complete it.
Patience and Gentleness
But hardly ever did I just slow down and enjoy the quiet.
It was that day, that I started making changes to my life. I wanted to slow down. Because slowing down causes you to be present with the people around you.
I’ve learned to slow down with my kids. Whenever I’m teaching them something new like peeling a potato or doing laundry.
It takes patience and gentleness. You can’t rush patience and gentleness.
1 Corinthians 4: 5-6 tells us that love is patient and kind. It’s not easily angered.
In order for me to be love to others in my home, I have to slow down. Because when I’m in a hurry, that’s usually when it is easiest to be impatient, unkind, and easily angered.
Let Go of Pressure
Slowing down means that sometimes I don’t get everything done on my to do list. But I’ve let go of that pressure.
I’ve realized that God created the day with 24 hours, and if I can’t get to everything on my list done in that time, it doesn’t need to be done.
Slow living isn’t an excuse to be lazy and sit around on the couch all day.
Of course, I still prioritize and am productive.
But it is an invitation to an intentional life where the most important things get your time and energy as a homemaker.
Practice Peace
So instead of rushing to get done with my household chores, I practice peace. Now I’ve found the beauty in the quiet moment folding the laundry. And the gift that it is.
Washing the dishes is enjoyable feeling the warm water on my hands, and seeing a pile of dirty dishes transform into a pile of clean, usable dishes once again.
I also started noticing the beauty around me.
I love going on walks without headphones now. I look at my neighbors flowers and see their growth which is slow.
I take in the clouds and notice how big the sky is. And slowing down to see those things always makes me think of the creator and how big and creative God is.
I’m reminded of psalm 19:1, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
So today, I encourage you to stop rushing through your chores. Slow down as you fold the laundry or sweep the floor.
Put a smile on your face and enjoy the simple every day beauty around you.
If you’re ready to learn how to give your days peace and purpose as a homemaker, I invite you to sign up for my free Balanced Homemaker’s Checklist.