Just Take the Damn Minute.

Time is honestly too fast.

I hate that feeling.

In today’s world, it feels like we are constantly running from one thing to another. Americans are frankly considered to be extremely busy bees. That is just our nature. But it is incredibly unhealthy.

In other words, we are too overwhelmed and overstimulated to pause and recognize the time that is passing us by. We did not necessarily choose this life; it has come upon us without our control. And we kind of just let it happen in order to keep up.

But I do not want that life.

Sometimes, we do not have much choice in the matter. We have to work 8:00am to 5:00pm. We have to pick up our children at 5:30pm. We have to rush home and eat dinner. We have to clean up and get our kids ready for bed. We have to get at least six hours of sleep. And on and on it goes.

I process this challenging predicament with my clients, sometimes multiple times a day as so many of us are faced with this uncontrollable schedule.

I also reflect on this myself most days.

So, what do we do about it?

Something we review often in therapy sessions is “what do you actually have control over?”

We cannot change a multitude of things in today’s world, but we can review what you have a hand in, and what you can do about it.

Honestly, sometimes the shift that we start to make is actually taking your lunch break. It is utilizing the moments that you have where something is not exactly “busy.” It can be simply starting to notice where the gaps of time present themselves.

And what do you do with those times? A whole bunch of nothing.

When was the last time you simply paused, and took a breath?

Have you relaxed your jaw and shoulders at all today?

That is what your body needs in order to regulate. A whole lot of nothingness.

Combating overstimulation and dysregulation would need the opposite effect: being present and still.

Stop looking at your phone on impulse. Actually, literally walk away from your phone for periods of time to create that boundary.

One of my favorite things to do, which also can bring me the most emotions, is stepping outside and looking up at the sky. Grounding ourselves when we constantly feel like we are living in a tornado can be a powerful thing.

So, when you find those times in the car, driving from one location to another, turn the music off. Do not start a new audiobook or podcast. Those things will still be there.

You do not need to prioritize checking in with that friend via phone call when you have been neglecting your own personal self all day.

Utilize the silence that you have before picking up your kids or stepping foot in the door. It may feel emotional, and you may not like it, but it also may grow on you.

You and yourself are worth building a more secure relationship with.

The only way to do that is show effort and energy. Show that you care.

Because if you don’t, and you neglect that…well…I don’t know how long your body will tolerate that kind of poor treatment.

Reach out, let’s start today.