Downshifting

Downshifting or slowing down can seem optimal. It can seem fun. It can seem desirable. But then when it actually happens, it can be a little challenging.

For example, I’m on break right now, but I’m not off. I’m still working. Today there are no students, so I decided to work from home. Easy enough. Drop my son off at school and then come home.

But after that, things felt a little different.

I had a meeting on Teams, and it was strange not to be rushing around. Strange not to be trying to get on the freeway at a certain time. Strange not to be running from one meeting to the next.

My routine has been thrown off.

Now, don’t get me wrong. It’s pleasant not to be driving through traffic. It’s nice not to be dealing with all the things that come with a regular school day. But it’s still a little weird. It’s different.

I think sometimes we get so used to operating at a certain speed that when we finally have the opportunity to slow down, it takes a while to adjust. Even when the change is positive.

The routine is different. The pace is different. The expectations are different.

But does that mean I’m not going to enjoy it?

Of course not.

It just means that downshifting has its own learning curve.

So today, I’m reminding myself that it’s okay for things to feel different. It’s okay for the routine to change. And it’s okay to take advantage of the flexibility that comes with a different season.

After all, what’s the point of having the opportunity to downshift if you never actually let yourself do it?

Have you ever found it difficult to slow down, even when slowing down was exactly what you needed?