Hurry Up and Slow Down?

I texted my sister yesterday her thoughts about possible stigmas that prevent someone from attending therapy, something I've been pondering after a recent online interview about mental wellness and why folks tend to run full-throttle through schedules but not carve out time for mental wellness. She texted back, "People [oftentimes] don't prioritize therapy bc they don't see instant results." If we have time and a problem arises, then we might try and find someone to help us fix some things. But be quick about it. There's tons to do.

Thinking about this, my family was planning the evening, as our son had an evening musical at his school, both my wife and I had readings and assignments to complete, and we needed to stop by the grocery store sometime to restock, then "find time" to clean, cook, wash clothes, hit up the gym, check emails (currently clocking 14, 927; I need to update the spam filter) and with school winding down, there's field day, awards ceremonies, and family birthday gatherings this week. And the dang "check engine" light just came on yesterday. These are the things that come to mind, but we have to check our Family Wall (an organizational app that has worked wonders, as long as one remembers to update it as the schedule builds).

We're no stranger to hurry. It's the pace of the world. But amidst the hustle and grind, there are pockets of space valued by families that need safeguarding. Not just for deadlines' or vacations' sake - for the sake of wellness.

Consider:

1) 1440

Major props to Kevin Kruse's book, 15 Secrets Successful People Know about Time Management. In it, he explains the various ways that this number has been the prompter par excellence in reminding him that there are only 1440 minutes in every given day. And the one resource that we can never replace or get back is that of time.

2) We don't have to please everyone or run ragged according to the demands of everyone around us. Simplification may be the inroad to contentment. Choose activities that line up with family values. What's important to you? What's essential to the well-being of your family?

3) Do we start eating healthy only after the doctor gives a dire prognosis? Do we attend the gym only the first of the year or a few months before summertime? What if healthy habits were built into the day?

4) Why is there this pressure to keep it all together? When we hear, "It's okay not to be okay," why the simultaneous cringe and sigh of relief?

5) How might we bolster our system of support to help our family be healthier and responsive to daily stressors? (Not reactionary and putting out fires impulsively when they pop up)

Such considerations require time to think about. And it could be that they would alter the structure of our days and the connectedness of our relationships. No time for workouts, eating healthy, therapy sessions, family dinners or slowing down?

It may cost us more, in the long run, not to.