Read

Slow Down Your Day With These 3 Practices

Published:
December 15, 2023
September 6, 2022
Read about how to find beauty amist the busy day-to-day.

Did you know that there are studies that show that patients who have a window with a view heal more quickly than those without? And that art and music scratch the same part of our brains that make us more efficient at math and complex equations? Beyond these testaments to the power of beauty, there’s our own experiences of quiet, still moments soaking in something beautiful that hint at something more, something transcendent and bigger than us.

Recently, I discovered I needed to create more space in my life for things completely different than the post-it notes and iPhone alarms cluttering my days. As a type-A person — often consumed by list-making, time management techniques, and a competitive streak — the hustle of everyday life was winding me a bit too tight. I realized I needed to balance my overly-productive tendencies with something entirely counter — slow, intentional moments of beauty.

As I began a regular practice of taking a few moments each day to stop, slow down, and stay with something beautiful, I fed a part of myself that no amount of work or productivity could nourish. I opened a space where I could feel God shining through — and brought some much-needed balance back to my days.

If you’re interested in making space for beauty in your daily schedule, here are a few easy places to start.

Slow down your afternoon with a cup of tea

Instead of my regular 3 o’clock coffee, I’ve been making tea. I don’t mean I just put a cup of water in the microwave. I work from home, so I actually put a kettle on the stove and stand there while I wait for the water to boil. I can hear the water inside start to dance, until the lid begins to jiggle. It doesn’t take long, maybe 3–4 minutes, but this ritual has become mediation for me — which is great because I have a hard time actually meditating. I try to use my prettiest cup and have even bought a package of cookies to take one with my tea, like a real Brit. 

I’ve noticed making this effort, to slow down, to make something beautiful, to inhale my tea as it seeps, gives me more energy later. In that tea moment, which takes less time than it would for me to walk down to Starbucks for a latte, I find presence in myself and am quiet enough to sense God’s presence.

Try sitting with art, instead of mindless scrolling

A friend of mine recently turned me on to the Daily Art app. Each day at lunch, I receive a notification that “Today’s Masterpiece” is ready for viewing. (You can set the notification to another time. Lunch just works for me.) Instead of scrolling my feed while I eat, I spend a minute reading the description and then a few more minutes viewing the artwork. 

I notice I feel less anxious if I spend my lunch with one of Van Gogh’s self-portraits or Rodin’s Burghers of Calais instead of my social media feed. I have learned about artists I did not know existed before this practice. And there have been a few times when I am having lunch with a friend, that I share the moment with them too. They always say they feel more cultured after I read them the description and we pass my phone back and forth to view the art.

Take a moment to notice the good around you

My absolute favorite way to make space for beauty is people watching. You’d be surprised how many uplifting and beautiful encounters you catch when you’re watching those around you, whether it’s at the park, on a walk, the grocery store, a coffee shop, or outside your own window. I love to watch how complete strangers will interact in a kind, even loving, way with each other. 

Last week while stuck at a stop light, I saw an older woman’s grocery bag break open at a bus stop. The other people waiting for the bus ran in different directions going after apples and cans of soup. As I drove away, I even watched two people, who had been slouched on the bench beforehand, help refashion the old woman’s windbreaker into a makeshift bag to carry the groceries in. I couldn’t help but think I witnessed a holy little moment.

It doesn’t take much to bring some beauty into our busy days — but it does require intention. When we purposefully make time in our schedules to appreciate the good and beautiful things, we fill our cups — in a way that an extra cup of coffee never could.

Creators:
Shemaiah Gonzalez
Published:
December 15, 2023
September 6, 2022
On a related note...
My Pandemic Journal is Changing the Way I See the World

My Pandemic Journal is Changing the Way I See the World

Patrick Schmadeke

‘I’ve Seen All That the World Has to Offer. It’s Not Enough.’

‘I’ve Seen All That the World Has to Offer. It’s Not Enough.’

Aaron Martinez

Unlock Your Superpower: 5 Ways to Adopt a Growth Mindset

Unlock Your Superpower: 5 Ways to Adopt a Growth Mindset

Jacqueline Rose

Brian Doyle’s Writing and the Practice of Wonder

Brian Doyle’s Writing and the Practice of Wonder

Devin Kelly

Forgiving Your Parents for Past (or Present) Hurts

Forgiving Your Parents for Past (or Present) Hurts

Dr. Daniel, Bethany Meola

Youth Running Club Gives Girls Confidence | Little Ways: Mentor

Youth Running Club Gives Girls Confidence | Little Ways: Mentor

Grotto

Unconventional Outdoor Hobbies to Try This Spring

Unconventional Outdoor Hobbies to Try This Spring

Lillian Fallon

Are We Correctly Remembering Our Immigrant Past?

Are We Correctly Remembering Our Immigrant Past?

Javi Zubizarreta

Cultivating Goodness In a Garden

Cultivating Goodness In a Garden

Kate Fowler

How Thrifting Soothed My Anxiety

How Thrifting Soothed My Anxiety

Maria Walley

5 Strategies for Reclaiming Your Peace

5 Strategies for Reclaiming Your Peace

Allison Barrick

Lessons Learned at the Old Man Gym

Lessons Learned at the Old Man Gym

Javi Zubizarreta

‘We Needed an Influx of Love and Joy’

‘We Needed an Influx of Love and Joy’

Sarah Pelrine

3 Guidelines I Use to Stay Sane on Social Media

3 Guidelines I Use to Stay Sane on Social Media

Molly Cruitt

Praying in a Deer Stand

Praying in a Deer Stand

Grotto Shares

3 Things to Do to Start Your Day off Right

3 Things to Do to Start Your Day off Right

Victoria Rabuse

An Unexpected Calling: Becoming an Adoptive Single Mom

An Unexpected Calling: Becoming an Adoptive Single Mom

Grotto

How to Use Your Fear in a Way that Helps You

How to Use Your Fear in a Way that Helps You

Mariah Cressy

Why ‘Sour’ is More Than an Album About Teenage Heartbreak

Why ‘Sour’ is More Than an Album About Teenage Heartbreak

Jessie McCartney

Why You Should Get Back on the Horse

Why You Should Get Back on the Horse

Makaela Douglas

newsletter

We’d love to be pals.

Sign up for our newsletter, and we’ll meet you in your inbox each week.