MY TECHNIQUES FOR INTENTIONAL LIVING
After a recent experience with burnout, I was on a mission to recover myself and find ways to slow down and so in this very post I am discussing the ways in which I dealt with it and approached a more intentional way of living.
These are the simple lifestyle shifts I implement to help me live slower and more intentionally. So if any of you feel overwhelmed, anxious then these strategies will help you.
1. Living with Intention
Intentional living more broad of a term that means living in alignment with your unique values or beliefs. Living with intention is one of the first things to consider when we’re in need of slowing down.
We so easily get caught up in the grind or the need for approval from others that we lose sight of what we want. Now’s your chance to reconnect with those things and to be specific about what exactly they are, whether or not you’re making space for them in your life, and considering ways that you can begin to if needed. What things truly light you up?
Examples:
Eating wellQuality time with family and friendsSpending time in NatureSpirituality/ Prayer
2. Do Less
Rest and recovery between periods of work are not only a big part of a less stressful life, but essential for supporting our ability to function at our best. Constantly having things to “do” with no real space to breathe is what leads us to burnout.
Doing less is all about welcoming the slowness into your life and recognizing what is and isn’t worth your time. We can’t say no to everything, but we can still set boundaries for ourselves.
3. Stillness
Stillness has become so important part of my routine. There are 2 main ways I encourage you to find more stillness in your life;
Cut out distractions: e.g. social media, Phone, TV, whatever you tend to gravitate towards.
Meditation: Just sit in silence. It doesn’t have to be for long; even 3 minutes of simply being the observer of your mind without attaching judgment to your passing thoughts or emotions can be profound.
Whether via meditation or not, present moment awareness is a big part of slow living. Take a moment every now and then to notice how your body feels and what’s around you by using your 5 senses: sight, sound, smell, taste, touch.
4. Take your time
Taking your time is the cornerstone to a slow lifestyle. It’s all about making the conscious decision to physically move your body at a slower pace and not rush through everything you are doing. Rushing seems to be the standard in our modern lives, but unless you are in an emergency, there is really no need to rush.
Try slowing down any activity of your choosing, and incorporating a bit of mindfulness into it through your senses as outlined in the previous point.
5. Gratitude
I have talked about gratitude here and why and attitude of gratitude is important. When you’re grateful for what you have you’re much less inclined to want more. Having goals or striving for what we know we want is one of the best parts of life, but remember that more — whether that’s more belongings, more success, or more money — often comes with more responsibility, more costs, and sometimes more stress. Gratitude helps us to be content with less, with what we already have, and slows down the cycle we find ourselves in of racing to achieve or obtain the next exciting thing.
These are the simple lifestyle shifts I implement to help me live slower and more intentionally. So if any of you feel overwhelmed, anxious then these strategies will help you.
1. Living with Intention
Intentional living more broad of a term that means living in alignment with your unique values or beliefs. Living with intention is one of the first things to consider when we’re in need of slowing down.
We so easily get caught up in the grind or the need for approval from others that we lose sight of what we want. Now’s your chance to reconnect with those things and to be specific about what exactly they are, whether or not you’re making space for them in your life, and considering ways that you can begin to if needed. What things truly light you up?
Examples:
Eating wellQuality time with family and friendsSpending time in NatureSpirituality/ Prayer
2. Do Less
Rest and recovery between periods of work are not only a big part of a less stressful life, but essential for supporting our ability to function at our best. Constantly having things to “do” with no real space to breathe is what leads us to burnout.
Doing less is all about welcoming the slowness into your life and recognizing what is and isn’t worth your time. We can’t say no to everything, but we can still set boundaries for ourselves.
3. Stillness
Stillness has become so important part of my routine. There are 2 main ways I encourage you to find more stillness in your life;
Cut out distractions: e.g. social media, Phone, TV, whatever you tend to gravitate towards.
Meditation: Just sit in silence. It doesn’t have to be for long; even 3 minutes of simply being the observer of your mind without attaching judgment to your passing thoughts or emotions can be profound.
Whether via meditation or not, present moment awareness is a big part of slow living. Take a moment every now and then to notice how your body feels and what’s around you by using your 5 senses: sight, sound, smell, taste, touch.
4. Take your time
Taking your time is the cornerstone to a slow lifestyle. It’s all about making the conscious decision to physically move your body at a slower pace and not rush through everything you are doing. Rushing seems to be the standard in our modern lives, but unless you are in an emergency, there is really no need to rush.
Try slowing down any activity of your choosing, and incorporating a bit of mindfulness into it through your senses as outlined in the previous point.
5. Gratitude
I have talked about gratitude here and why and attitude of gratitude is important. When you’re grateful for what you have you’re much less inclined to want more. Having goals or striving for what we know we want is one of the best parts of life, but remember that more — whether that’s more belongings, more success, or more money — often comes with more responsibility, more costs, and sometimes more stress. Gratitude helps us to be content with less, with what we already have, and slows down the cycle we find ourselves in of racing to achieve or obtain the next exciting thing.
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