I was lucky enough to have an incredible dinner this week with the great Christopher Warden, NKT-certified strength coach and all-around conversationalist.
We spoke about the fact I’m often told to “slow down.” I said I didn’t know what this means, because I thoroughly enjoy my life. Why would I put brakes on it?
He made it all clear in a moment.
He said, “Slowing down doesn’t mean quitting the jobs you love. Maybe it’s just not tuning out to the world around you.”
Busy is an illusion, because everyone’s time is valuable. While I make the most of each blessed moment, I could check in with myself more.
So, I tried an experiment.
I worked a 12-hour day yesterday. I ended most appointments at 55 minutes, so that I could have 5 minutes of “slow down” for myself. I laid on my belly and did croc breathing. I thought about nothing in particular. I just felt connected to the world around me for 5 minutes on the hour, without distraction.
At first, I felt some sort of way about taking five minutes from my patients. But, my day went so smoothly and effortlessly that I realized I had been actually doing my patients a disservice by NOT taking more “slow downs.” The additional oxygen alone made me think clearer, which made me a more proficient diagnostician and manual therapist.
So, Christopher’s advice was on point: slowing down is not giving up or letting a job go. It’s an intentional check-in with yourself to make sure things don’t move so fast they speed away from you.
– Dr. Kathy Dooley