Imagine how this image would feel if you were physically there. Looking out onto the hills, the sun warming your skin, birds chirping, bliss.
Life is meant to be enjoyed - we are created to laugh, learn, love, struggle, fall down, and get back up again. In these last few months, the struggle bus I was riding has slowed to a halt, not to say all is gone, but life is now better than it has been in a while. I'm falling in love with life again.
One year ago, if someone had told me I would be making the changes I am now, enjoying exercise for the emotional benefits, eating without stress, and understanding how to fuel my body, wouldn't have believed them. It's been a rollercoaster battle. The process of recovering from an eating disorder, and pulling myself out of a depressive episode was not/is not an easy one, yet with each day representing an opportunity for change, I now know that life is worth living. And it's beautiful.
I had a conversation with a friend a few days ago about what it takes to really enjoy the little things in life, and what it took to slowly begin to feel like 'myself' again; which is ultimately what inspired this post. For me, it was recognizing the importance of slowing down and accepting where I am at any given point in time. Letting go of control over my life, without letting it become chaotic, was, and still is, vital.
What does slowing down look like? What's the difference between slowness and laziness?
As someone who thrives off productivity, these are questions I have to ask myself many times. Personally; slowing down can be both physical and emotional. Whether that be physically walking slower, cleaning my room slower, etc., or if it's taking the time to pause and recognize that I don't need to tackle everything on my to-do list all at the same time. The differentiation between slowness and laziness came with recognizing the state I'm in, was I actively slowing down, or just making excuses? There's a time and a place for productivity, just as there's a time and a place for your favorite Netflix series. Ultimately, recognizing what falls into which category is a personal skill we all should work to develop. We operate similar to batteries. We can only go so long at a certain pace before we need to stop and recharge. Finding activities that charge your internal battery that you're also able to incorporate into your daily life will not only make you feel better but will also help promote a happier and healthier life. You'll be able to tackle all of life's stressors while still finding the beauty in every moment.
Before I ramble on more, I encourage everyone to practice slowing down, breathing, and figuring out what refills their battery so each day can be full of love, warmth, and excitement, because life is worth falling in love with.
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