Arriving Slowly into the New Year
“When you try to close distance between who you are and who you want to be”
My wish for this new year is that we can give ourselves permission to arrive slowly. That we don’t need to buy into the myth that our worth comes from our productivity. As Maria Popova wisely said, "Presence is far more intricate and rewarding an art than productivity."
Traditionally, Winter is a time for finding rest and retreat. For going inside and slowing down. After all, nature shows us so beautifully how it releases in the winter months. How she gracefully sheds her leaves and stays quietly still, refreshing herself for Spring.
Culturally, we place so much emphasis on New Years’ Day as our chance to rebound.
We want to pick ourselves up, dust off our sorrows of the past year, and jump into action. New Year, New Me – right? I will say, there’s nothing wrong with the desire to achieve our goals. With being productive and efficient. With wanting to grow and bloom.
But what’s tragic is when we undervalue the steady, slow, unglamorous process it takes to bloom.
We undervalue the wisdom of slowness. We bypass what is for what could be.
Let us not undervalue the steady, slow, unglamorous process it takes to bloom. Let us remember that some years are meant to be preparation - planting seeds.
We chase the person who we want to be and forget to nurture who we already are.
The distance between who I am and who I want to be always seems out of reach.
But slowing down gives me valuable perspective.
Slowing down as I arrive into the new year teaches me to stop chasing after a mirage of potential.
Slowing down allows me to sit with myself and notice that maybe… the version of myself I’m chasing is already within me.
Maybe that inner quietude is the place where I can close that distance. Maybe stillness is a gift that helps me cultivate presence over productivity. Maybe stillness is the key I need to close the distance between who I am and who I want to be.
“Seek out what magnifies your spirit. Who are the people, ideas, and books that magnify your spirit? Find them, hold on to them, and visit them often.”
7 Things I Learned in 7 Years of Reading, Writing, and Living
Maria Popova is a treasure chest of wisdom and inspiration. Her website has introduced me to so many new and old ideas that remind me how to live a meaningful life. Highly recommend finding out more at brainpickings.com.