No matter what I do, it seems like the only way to be successful is to constantly work more hours, put in more effort, or do more with less resources and support.
So much so that I began to question my place in my industry and whether I was cut out for business. Doing more than I was already doing felt impossible.
(Sometimes it still does.)
If we work late into the night every day, when will we ever have time for ourselves?
If we work every weekend, how will we have time for people we care about or things we enjoy?
If we always work 50-70 hours a week, how long can we sustain it before exhaustion sets in?
The answers to those not-so-rhetorical questions are never, we won’t, and maybe 2-3 weeks.
The truth is, none of it is sustainable so we just end up exhausted, less productive, and missing out on all the things that make life enjoyable.
So why are we expected to constantly be doing more? Why isn’t what we’re already doing enough? And why does everything have to move so fast?
It took longer than it should have for me to realize most advice around career, business, productivity, and generally being successful is for
- people who want to do something as fast as possible,
- people who are primary decision-makers,
- people with extra resources in the form of time, money, or connections.
I wish I realized this sooner because I spent years thinking if I constantly worked harder and learned how to optimize my time, I could get it all done.
Instead, I ended up constantly exhausted because there was always something I needed to be doing.
Benefits of Slowing Down
When I started trying to slow down, I struggled with how to balance slowing down with reaching my goals. I couldn’t wrap my head around how I’d be able to rest without ending up behind or stuck in place.
I was so used to always working towards something that balancing rest with progress felt like I was caught in the middle of an epic battle between me and myself!
If you’re reading this, you probably know exactly what I mean.
But I speak from experience when I tell you it’s so much easier to thrive in your career when you slow down.
You make fewer mistakes.
You have less anxiety (even if you have a disorder like I do).
You start to notice inspiration all around you.
You become a better problem solver.
You learn it’s okay to celebrate the small wins as much as the big ones.
And you might even enjoy what you do because it’s no longer your entire life.
So let’s get into 5 low-effort ways I learned to rest, relax, and finally slow down!
Do It Slow
I was inspired to talk about slowing down because I don’t know if most of us realize we can still accomplish our career or business goals by working toward them at a slower pace.
I’ve been a working Art Director/Designer for over 13 years. I also spent over 3 decades being a professional busybody who didn’t know how to sit down somewhere.
I can get a lot done in a short amount of time because I’ve had tons of practice!
But when I started working on my webcomic, I was caught off guard by how long it took me to complete the first one.
At work, I use Adobe software like Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.
When it comes to my business, I don’t want to pay $60 a month to use the same programs. So I use Affinity software like Photo and Designer.
Until I started working on that first comic, I had only used Affinity Photo on a laptop. Here I was doing something new in a new program and on a new device I’d recently purchased.
While I could have quickly created the art in Adobe Illustrator, I had no idea where half those features were in Affinity Designer 2 for iPad!
Just as I started getting frustrated that it was taking me so long, I remembered
- I had plenty of time because I intentionally planned to create them at a leisurely pace,
- I’d get faster the more I used the new device and app,
- the webcomic is meant to be fun for you and me.
Get clear on the projects and tasks you need to be doing right now versus what can wait. Give yourself more time by prioritizing those tasks and projects. Then complete them at a slower pace within the time you have.
And speaking of doing things at a slower pace…
Have a Slow Morning
In my 20s, I spent every morning running around like a chicken.
I know that’s not the full saying but it is something I once said to my mom. I was so wound up that I forgot the rest of the saying!
By my late 20s, I realized If I spent the first hour of the day “running around like a chicken”, I’d be anxious for the entire day no matter how well it went.
While I can get up and out of the house in 30-40 minutes, it’s not realistic.
What is realistic is me
- wandering around my house until I’m fully awake,
- getting distracted by something I need to clean,
- finding something to listen to while I get ready,
- making my bed,
- picking out my outfit for the day,
- working out, meditating, or journaling,
- making my breakfast and tea.
Did you notice that I didn’t even mention showering and getting dressed?!
Like I said, I can get up and out of the house in a short amount of time but it’s more likely that I won’t.
So I wake up 1-2 hours before I need to leave every morning. If I have to be somewhere later in the day, I still do all this in the morning so I don’t have to rush or watch the time later on.
Not only does it allow for distractions, but it also means I can do everything at a slower pace.
It also means I’m a lot less anxious by the time I leave for work (or wherever else I need to go).
Be realistic about how much time you need to allow for a slower morning. Start waking up a little earlier to make it happen.
Want to learn more about the colors featured in this comic?
Do Something Fun
I used to be so reluctant to make plans because I never knew when I’d have to work late or over a weekend.
I did things for fun, but it just wasn’t a priority of mine. Work or business always came first.
Although I no longer believe I always need to be doing something, sometimes I still have a lot of anxious physical energy I need to use up.
When that happens, no amount of rest will make it go away. Instead of trying to force myself to sit down, I do something I enjoy.
The goal is to use up the anxious energy while freeing myself from the idea that I should use the energy productively.
When it’s warm enough, my go-to activity is walking around my neighborhood.
I love walking and my neighborhood is filled with people who seem to enjoy gardening. I get to wander around stopping often to take pictures of flowers, plants, and trees as they change over the weeks and months!
Other times I have a lot of anxious mental energy I need to use up. This is when my brain convinces me I should be doing something even when I have nothing on my to-do list.
In those moments, my go-to activity is playing a video game on my Nintendo Switch. The games I enjoy are super cute and relaxing.
I get to trick my brain into believing I’m accomplishing something even though it has nothing to do with work or business.
Think about something you enjoy doing or would like to try purely because it seems fun. Then makes plans to do it.
Pay For Convenience
Earlier I mentioned how most advice is for people with extra resources in the form of time, money, or connections.
Most of us don’t have the money to outsource every task we don’t want to do. Some of us don’t have a spouse to take care of the household while we work.
Until my first surgery in June 2022, I did my yard work.
I was going to hire a teenager looking to make money over the summer while I recovered. (I’d already found one in a local Facebook group.)
But my 2-night hospital stay turned into 8 nights. During that time, my mom spoke to my neighbors and hired the same person they used.
He’s been my yard guy ever since and I’ve gotten days back every summer.
After 2-3 hours of yard work, I rarely got anything else done for the day (or weekend) because I was worn out.
Also, I spent days anxiously planning when I was going to do the yard work before it rained, got too hot, the grass got too high, or an elderly neighbor offered to do it for me.
Paying someone else to do it means I know
- the yard work will get done well and regularly,
- I have more time for more important tasks,
- I have more energy for things I want to do.
Look at the regularly occurring tasks on your to-do list. What takes hours out of your week? What do you hate doing? What keeps you from doing more important tasks (including resting)?
Look into how much it would cost to have someone else do one of those tasks for you and how often you can afford to have them do it. Then book your spot on their calendar.
After writing this blog, I realized I forgot to mention tools that make tasks easier.
I’ve used a shower chair since my first surgery. I love a good shower but being able to sit down makes it so much more relaxing.
I’m short but never thought about buying a reacher until I knew I wouldn’t be able to bend and stretch my body for 6-8 weeks. Now I use it daily to open and close my living room curtains.
And I recently bought 3 small humidifiers so I don’t have to move my big one from room to room.
One stays in my bedroom, one in my living room, and one in my work bag for in-office days.
Have you noticed we waste a lot of mental energy trying to keep track of items?
Take a look at your daily routines. Where do you expend more energy than you need to? Where can you save time? What might help you save both?
Look into tools that can help you save time, energy, or both. Choose one (or more) to purchase for yourself.
Want to learn more about the colors featured in this comic?
Breathe
Do you hold your breath when you’re stressed out?
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to stop and remind myself to breathe.
I’ve tried different meditation apps, tools, and techniques. I’ve learned about the benefits of breathwork and grounding exercises.
While techniques and exercises can be extremely helpful, they aren’t the type of things we remember when we’re freaking out!
And it bothers me that more people don’t talk about it, especially since breathing is a huge part of everything I mentioned.
Breathe in (for as long as it is comfortable for you). Breathe out (for as long as it is comfortable for you). If you can, add a short hold in between the two. Repeat.
Note: I included “for as long as it is comfortable for you” because I know breathwork causes some people to hyperventilate. I’ve learned it’s best to ignore a facilitator’s pace and listen to my lungs instead.
As someone who struggled with slowing down and resting, I know there’s no shortage of advice on the subject.
But there is a shortage of practical advice for busy professionals who may also struggle with anxiety or detaching their worth from their productivity.
Because the truth is, most of us know we need to slow down. We just don’t know how to do it!
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