Spending more time at home has given many of us the opportunity to slow down from what can often be an unnecessarily fast-paced, habitual routine. Whether it’s as simple as replacing your commute to work with morning reading or journaling (or even more rest!), or you chose slower-paced weekends at home to spend more time on cooking and creative projects – why not try adopting some of these practices into your way forward?
As we turn the page on another chapter and continue to focus on creating the best 2020 Pt. 2 that we can, we encourage everyone to Embrace the Slow. But remember, this doesn’t have to mean doing less or being less productive. It’s about the quality of our time and the benefits and joy that come from living in the moment. Explore some of our favourite ways to do this below, and enjoy the feeling that comes from Embracing the Slow a little more in your everyday.
A LITTLE SELF-CARE
Self-care is about making small changes to your day, loving and accepting yourself, and remembering to check in and make time for the things you love and being kinder to yourself. Whether that be sitting down to eat your favourite meal, doing 20 minutes of yoga, embracing meditation, running a hot bath, reading a book, walking around the block or quite literally sitting still for five minutes.
As a start, why not take a moment and think of all the things you love to do. What things do you currently do that make you feel good? What do you currently do to look after yourself? Write down all the things that make you feel happy. Then, make a plan to do more of these things and feel the joy that comes from embracing more of the things you love.
Here are some of our favourite tools for slowing down and practising self-care:
The Kindness Method, Shahroo Izadi
PRACTISE MINDFULNESS
To be mindful is to live in the moment, fully aware of yourself and your surroundings – acknowledging and accepting what is happening and how you’re feeling, without judgement. Making a conscious effort to focus on the here and now. Mindfulness invites a sense of awareness and calm into your life – opening the door to greater physical and mental wellbeing, and welcoming improvements in so many areas of your life.
Practising the art of mindfulness can range from simply being more present during everyday tasks, to setting aside dedicated time for meditation, journaling or more intentional mindful moments and activities such as yoga.
Here are some of our favourite products to help you slow down and embrace more mindfulness:
plus, FREE DOWNLOADABLE JOURNALING PROMPTS
As a special treat to help you take a moment for reflection, we’ve put together some Journaling Prompts for you to download for free. Find a quiet space, block some time in your dairy to pause for a moment and let your thoughts and feeling flow.
Download and print your FREE kikki.K journaling prompts now.
EMBRACE PLAY AND GET CREATIVE
Embracing play, exploring your creativity and opening the mind is just as healthy for adults as it is for children. By doing so you’ll let your mind to wander, triggering parts of the brain we don’t often tap into, inviting innovation and new ways of thinking. If you have children, play with them. If you have a partner or housemate, invite them to do join you in a fun DIY craft project or activity. Get creative by creating memory books, papercraft projects, experiment with new recipes, draw pictures, dance around the house, play boardgames, work on a puzzle, dress up in costume for a night, be silly, have fun – whatever you want. It doesn’t matter what you do, just as long as you have fun and give yourself a mindful break from your normal, routine, every day.
Here are some of our favourite tools to help you slow down and embrace more creativity:
So, remember, no matter how difficult this year has been, don’t give up on this year that has challenged you. There is still so much to be gained and enjoyed, and so much opportunity ahead. And no matter what is happening in your world, remember to try and slow down where you can, and not just slow down, but really Embrace the Slow. How are you choosing to live your 2020 Pt 2, and beyond? Join the conversation with #kikkik2020Pt2 and #kikkiklove
