When I was in high-school one of my friends told me that I liked to seem like I was busy. I think I put my hand on my hip, stuck my nose up at him, and said in what I'm certain, was a very sassy tone, "No I don't!"
This conversation makes me laugh now though, because he was so right. Even as a high-school student I relished in the idea of being busy. I strived to always look busy, because being busy meant that you were important and who doesn't want to be important.
This seemingly childlike idea followed me into adulthood. I thought that if I was constantly taking phone calls, responding to emails, and rushing from point A to point B that my value in society was made evident. If I was busy, I was important. The two went hand in hand in my head. Slowing down meant lacking in value and I didn't want to lack in value, so I never slowed down.
I feel like the busier and busier I have become as an adult though the less and less appealing it has become and the less and less I've felt it's defining hold on me, because unlike what my high-school self thought, being busy does not make you more important. I would dare to say that perhaps what we are really conveying to those around you when you're rushing around is your insecurities and misplaced values.
I want to challenge you (and me!!) to stop trying to look or be busy, and to slow down, to stop and smell the roses, to be present and to enjoy being present.
My friend, Patricia, and I were talking about hiking the other day and I described my mindset when hiking with her. I told her that when I go hiking I am getting from point A to point B. I appreciate the exercise and will try to get to the top as fast as I can, but I am not in it for the journey. Unfortunately I think that sums up my view on life too often.
This year I really want to make an effort to slow down more and look busy less. I want to take a coffee break in the middle of the day, watch an episode of Gilmore Girls without working on my computer simultaneously, and have a full conversation and not feel guilty about it, because I don't have to look or be busy every moment that I'm not sleeping.
This post was initially titled "coffee worth slowing down for" and I was going to talk about my Chemex and how it makes the best coffee, but the more and more I thought about that post, the more I realized that there were things in my life that I was missing because I was too busy rushing around and it wasn't fair for me to try to convince you guys that coffee is worth slowing down for, when there were a lot of other things I needed to be slowing down for that I wasn't. But, I'm learning. I'm slowly, but surely learning the importance of taking a minute to just be. To not feel the necessity to make to-do lists (I'm mildly obsessed), make plans, or think any thoughts at all is such a far gone concept for me that this is definitely going to be a process.
The first step I am taking in trying to slow down, is to be more intentional when I am drinking and making my coffee. And goodness gracious, I promise, this Chemex coffee maker makes it so beyond worth slowing down for. If you've never had a pour over before, you're missing out. Some point in the last year I switched from waking up to a pot of batch brewed coffee on our classic little 12 cup machine, to exclusively preparing myself one cup using the Chemex. It might seem like too many steps to take on before getting caffeine in your system, but it really takes no time at all and once you've done it a few times, it will be second nature. I highly recommend getting this kettle. I was formerly just boiling water in a sauce pan and it's really difficult to properly pour the water over the grounds that way. Fortunately my mother heard about this dilemma and gifted us one as a housewarming gift when we moved to Chicago and we are so, so grateful. It's made things a whole heck of a lot smoother in the morning (less scorching incidences).
The constant battle between slowing down and being busy (whether for looks or legit hustling) is real. And being a compulsive multi-tasker struggling with some major ADD, slowing down is difficult. In 2017 I want to stop and smell the roses (or coffee) as often as possible and stop feeling the need to rush. I want to embrace the journey and not feel pressed for time.
Fingers crossed, coffee in hand, cheers to trying.
I hope you all are enjoying the Christmas season so far! May the rest of your 2016 be filled with coffee, gingerbread cookies, peppermint chocolate everything, and little moments to just breath and be. Merry Christmas, loves!
What are some ways you are trying to slow down? Did you ever feel like being busy made you seem important?
Chairs || Table (formerly sold individually and not in a set) || Chevron Throw || Fur Throw Pillow || Monogram Mug || Copper Wire Basket || Small Plate (from Anthropologie, but no longer available) || Greenery from Trader Joe's || Stockings || "Merry Christmas" Watercolor - DIYed by me || Chemex || Chemex Filters || Coffee || Kettle || Paper Straws ||