It’s 5:15 pm 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 simultaneously bounce my 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?”, I ask.
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 wrong in the least bit. Afterall, 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, I’ve found.
Making time for what matters
I recently came across an article that was eye-opening for me, and became the motivation for writing this blog post. The premise of the piece was a look into the lives of a group of people who view life in quite a different light than many of us do.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 were making time for relationships with loved ones, enjoying time outside, taking moments to breath 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 people 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, gathering at homes for many hours followed by dancing afterwards.
Their diets consist of the common Mediterranean foods- high in olive oil, beans, and greens and low in meats, dairy, and processed sugars. And always enjoyed in combination with conversation.
Each Sunday, they attend the local church service with extended family, and place a high priority on making it a meaningful experience.
But the biggest difference was this– they’re never in a hurry.
Choosing to be unhurried
One of my biggest pet peeves in life is being late. I don’t like keeping people waiting or letting others down. So embracing the idea of slowing down isn’t something that comes naturally for me.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 do still 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’s a few ways that I strive to live in such a way.
As stated in the article above, socialization 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 in connecting with others.