It’s 5:15 p.m. on a weekday and my husband has just finished his day of work (from the little corner in our bedroom that he’s claimed as his permanent office). I’m juggling the tasks of prepping dinner while keeping an eye on our older two kids playing in the backyard as I bounce our toddler son on my hip.
Mike enters the kitchen, gives me a gentle hug, and I proceed to ask him the same question that typically ensues.
“How was your day today?”
Oftentimes, he’ll answer with a response such as this: “Pretty good, I had a few meetings, worked on a couple lingering projects, and checked most things off my to-do list.”
It’s almost as if we see our days as one giant to-do list, checking off items at a rigorous speed, moving on quickly so as to not waste much time in between.
Of course, working hard isn’t in the least bit wrong. After all, we were created to work, to support ourselves and our families, to love, to design, to take care of our Earth, and to experience the goodness that life brings—all of which takes great effort to do well.
Making Time for What Matters
I recently came across a 2012 New York Times article that was eye-opening for me, and became the motivation for writing this article. The premise of the piece was a look into the lives of a group of people who view life in a different light.Their days were measured not just by productivity in a business sense, but by drastically different standards than sitting at a desk, checking items off their list, or working 50-hour weeks.
What they valued most in their days was making time for relationships with loved ones, enjoying time outside, taking moments to breathe in the fresh air, pursuing work that gave them meaning, connecting with their faith, and living life with gratitude for the time they’ve been given.
And the most interesting part about this group from the Greek island of Ikaria, is that they’re among some of the longest-living humans on earth, exceeding the longevity of Americans by about a decade.
So what’s their secret to living long, bountiful lives?
Their wake-time is natural, rising whenever their bodies have had enough rest. And afternoon nap-time is universal, as the town comes to a stop to honor this practice.
They strive to earn just enough to keep going. If they make more, they give it away.
Dinners are typically enjoyed in the company of friends or family, followed by dancing afterward, gathering at homes for many hours.
Their diets consist of the common Mediterranean foods. Meals are typically high in olive oil, beans, and greens and low in meats, dairy, and processed sugars—and always enjoyed with conversation.
Each Sunday, they attend the local church service with extended family and place a high priority on making it a meaningful experience.
And one of the biggest differences is that they’re never in a hurry.
“We may not have money for luxuries, but we will have food on the table and still have fun with family and friends. We may not be in a hurry to get work done during the day, so we work into the night. At the end of the day, we don’t go home to sit on the couch.”
Choosing to Be Unhurried
I have to teach myself habits and routines that allow me to focus on what truly matters—such as quality time with my husband and kids, instilling good values and virtues into their lives, doing activities that support my mental health and well-being, and serving others around me well.Although I make a 3-item to-do list most days, I’ve also learned to create new routines that allow me to enjoy each day at an unhurried pace. Here are a few ways that I strive to live in such a way.
Socializing, as the people of Ikaria know, is one of the key factors toward living a healthy, cherished life. Whether it’s through a regular dinner with family, an occasional meet-up with friends, or an impromptu adventure, look for ways that you can create meaningful connections that encourage laughter and delight.
