Sunny Side Up #14: A Slower Pace
Welcoming the new season with open arms.
This was always going to be a good week. Monday brought with it the turn of a new month, and the first chill of autumn. As I write this, a steaming mug of peppermint tea by my side, the sky is clouded grey, the trees are gently swaying, and a subtle fog is lingering. We’re expecting a thunderstorm later.
Autumn is my favourite season. The optimism of a new beginning, the flush of pink in my cheeks after a cold and sunny walk, the first wholesome roast dinners of the season in a cosy English pub, snuggling under a blanket watching Harry Potter. There is so much to love.
A couple of months ago I invested in a new diary. At the beginning of each month, it prompts me to think of some goals to commit to for the next thirty days. Normally I pick something like a fitness goal, a word count, or to stick within a budget when spending. This month, I’ve gone for something different.
Slow. Down.
It was only last week that I noticed my tendency to rush. I was in the office, and could feel my breathing getting really shallow. I stopped for a minute to notice what was going on. I’d been so engrossed in what I was doing that I realised it was two o’clock and I hadn’t had anything to drink, I hadn’t eaten, I hadn’t stood up since I arrived. I often feel like I’ve got so much to do that I panic while completing every task as though it’s a race against time. In that moment, I noticed that actually the only person putting this pressure on me is myself.
So, I got up, made myself a cup of tea, and had lunch away from my laptop. When I continued, I decided to make my movements less erratic and consciously go through my to-do list at a slower pace. Yes, I needed to get everything done, but I didn’t need to send myself into overdrive doing it.
I felt better instantaneously. Just realising that I didn’t need to rush everything and get myself dizzy was groundbreaking. How many of us get swept up in our day-to-day that we forget that we’re the ones in control?
When we’re moving at 100 miles an hour, it leaves space for slip ups. For example, comparison and self-doubt have been a hurdle for me this week. Fortunately everything is copy so I managed to get an article out of it (with you on Friday!). I find writing to be a very therapeutic and cathartic way to deal with unsettling feelings; it’s been an especially helpful outlet this week.
Something that’s helped a lot this week is making the effort to stay present in my relaxation time. There’s only a few hours in the day that I’m not working, and typically I spend them with a movie on. Apart from I don’t watch the movie, I’m scrolling through my phone. Other than Substack, I don’t even have social media, I’ll literally sit there re-reading emails, reading the news, online window-shopping, wasting time. I’ve started putting my phone in the drawer when I want to watch a movie or read a book. Excruciatingly simple, but it means that I don’t spend even more time in my day rushing to get through things, missing the things I was looking forward to because my brain checked-out. I’ve felt so much better for it.
I’d love to know the things you do to stay present throughout the day, and also the things you’re most looking forward to this month! Let me know in the comments 💌
I’ve been really bad at taking pictures, and in all honesty there’s not been much worth photographing, so you’re just going to have to take my word for it this week.
I’M WORKING LATE… | I’ll be honest, the majority of this week I’ve just been working. September is my busiest month of the year so it’s been all systems go. Hugely exciting, on Wednesday evening we had a particularly late night at work which ended with a trip to Big Tesco at 8pm. How thrilling!!
WATCHING | I’ve been having a Friends moment! This prompted a strong discussion at work as to who our favourite character was, and I was stunned to find I was the only one whose favourite is Rachel! Is this an unpopular opinion or something? Let me know your favourite friend in the comments. Aside from that, I re-watched When Harry Met Sally and binged A Confession on ITVX which was phenomenal, gut-wrenching, devastating television.
FRESH BLONDE | Saturday had such a luxurious start as I got fresh balayage!! I only get this done once a year so I feel like a brand new woman when I leave the salon. Where else do you get to read a magazine cover to cover while you’re pampered? Bliss.
NEW ADDITIONS | How cute is my sister’s new hamster!! He just melts my heart.
STARTING EARLY | Someone tell M&S they shouldn’t be selling mince pies yet.
MUNCHING | I tried açai for the first time this week and why did nobody tell me how much I’ve been missing out?!! They’re so good.
BAKING | My signature cookies were essential after the chaos of the week. Recipe here.
Could You Go a Whole Year Without Buying Anything New? by
a thought: on the thought daughter trend by
Thank you so much for reading!! I truly appreciate every single one of you. I’ll see you back here on Friday! Lots of love 🥰
This is deeply relatable. I’ve noticed that I’m speeding through every little thing lately, and I’m trying my best to take a bear whenever I can. Thank you for sharing ♥️
your writing always feels like a warm hug