As the decade ends, can you take time to slow down and enjoy the simple things? Join One Lane Road on a slower, simpler journey.

Taking Time to Slow Down as the Decade Comes to an End

Friends, we are just weeks away from the end of the decade. The decade! That sounds so dramatic and celebration-worthy, doesn’t it? With so much going on as the holiday season hits, we here at One Lane Road are looking forward to the chance to slow down a little.

I love this season of lights, gift-giving, and time with friends and family. I cherish the traditions and gatherings that mean so much in our life. But I also recognize that it is a season that can overwhelm us with busyness and expectations.

As the year and the decade wrap up, I am choosing to slow down and take it easy whenever possible. I am leaning into simplicity and peacefulness in my celebrations with loved ones so that I can cherish what matters most to me without getting caught up in unimportant details.

Would you like to slow down a bit with me? Perhaps you’d enjoy a calm stroll to the new year rather than a mad dash that leaves you feeling frantic. Would you like to start 2020 with a sense of calm? If so, let’s take a look at some practical and sustainable ways to enjoy the simple things in life this holiday season and beyond.

Prioritize and Limit

It seems that as soon as we put away the Halloween masks, the Christmas party invitations start arriving. In addition to holiday parties with friends, family, and coworkers, there are probably local activities and celebrations you want to attend as well.

As difficult as it can be to say “no,” you have to set limits on your time and energy. Take time to list all upcoming events, including:

  • School events for your child
  • Family gatherings
  • Local celebrations
  • Religious gatherings or services

Prioritize those that are non-negotiable and bring you joy. Mark them on your calendar and let the others go. You will give yourself back so much valuable time.

Shut Down the Screens

Our modern digital world is inherently stressful. It never stops or rests. It is noisy and visually overstimulating. It demands our attention at all times, sometimes leading to anxiety and addiction.

Although it is unrealistic to banish all screens from your home, it is helpful to set aside screen-free time periodically. Choose instead to spend that time doing the special holiday things that are important to you. 

Unplug from all of the screens, and consider spending time on the following activities:

  • Board games
  • Baking
  • Looking through family photos
  • Reading
  • Making individual or family vision boards
  • Card games
  • Planning a summer trip
  • Volunteering in your community

Taking a break from social media and screen time will help you reset your home so that it is a space that is calmer, quieter, and more intentional. The holiday season tends to bring at least some anxiety and stress. You can take a purposeful step toward tranquility by shutting down the screens.

Don’t Neglect Your Sleep

When the hustle and bustle hit, your sleep can fall by the wayside. Late evenings and a tightly-packed schedule might mean later bedtimes or earlier wakeups. This disrupted sleep schedule can wreak havoc on your health and wellness.

And if you add in close-quarters time with germs circulating everywhere, you may find yourself getting sick right away. Protect your sleep as much as possible during the holidays and into the new year. 

Although you are bound to have some late nights or early mornings, try to keep your sleep as consistent as you can. Take time to slow down when you can in the evening. Consider going to bed with a book and a cup of tea to let yourself wind down into a good night’s sleep. 

If you are a resolution-setting type of person, you might want to make sleep a focus for 2020. Research is clear on the mental and physical benefits of proper sleep, so it’s worth finding a way to slow down and rest. Experts recommend the following tips to help you regain your sleep

Find a Hobby or Recommit to One You’ve Been Missing

Sometimes you need to step back from all of the to-do lists and commitments to have time for something you enjoy just for yourself. In our modern world, we spend a lot of time watching the clock and worrying about our schedule. We live a hurried life.

Here at One Lane Road, I am intentionally choosing a less hurried life. A one-lane road literally forces you to slow down. You can’t race along it because you need to be prepared to share it. You must be ready for curves and bumps. A one-lane road demands a slower pace.

Whether you enjoy cooking, reading, gardening, woodworking, painting, or some other hobby, indulge in the time to slow down for it. Build it into your schedule, if needed, so that you can commit to your favorite pastime. 

Are you looking to try something new? Seek out classes or community groups that will allow you to learn a new skill. Push yourself out of your routine and comfort zone. It’s good for the brain and the soul!

Work With Intention

It is easy in our fast-paced world to go through the motions of working and living without thinking about them. When you slow down enough to examine your habits and patterns, you can focus on the meaning behind your actions. You can identify things that no longer serve your life, and you can work with intention to accomplish the things that do.

Personally, I am choosing to take time to look deeply at my artwork and to focus on the meaning behind it. More of that to come in future posts! It feels calming and empowering to slow down and work intentionally. It allows me to make sure I give my art all of the appreciation and time it deserves.

Let’s Journey Together

Are you ready to join me on this one-lane road? Are you eager to take a breath, slow down, and enjoy the simple things? That phrase is not just a cliche. It is a valuable life skill that will leave you feeling grounded and refreshed, even during the hectic holiday season.

Taking time to slow down will allow you to reap health benefits, enjoy time to yourself and with your family, and work with passion. It’s a gift to yourself that will keep giving in to the new year and beyond.

If you’d like to learn more about my journey as an artist, mama, wife, and business owner, I’d love to hear from you. Reach out today and join my email list to stay in the loop. I can’t wait to connect with you!