The air is sharp with coldness and the cosy aroma of chimney smoke wafts along the evening skyline. A house down the street has put up Halloween decorations, a hanging fabric ghost billowing in the breeze. The smells of steeped cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger have claimed the kitchen as my homemade chai becomes a regular ritual.
Once again, I am taking time to notice and bask in this seasonal transition.
I'm noticing a shift in my time habits around rushing.
The high, buzzing energy of summer is settling into a quiet hum, and I find myself slowing down and seeking more intentional practices.
At work, I’m shifting into routines that allow for longer periods of uninterrupted focus. Rather than shifting nonstop between various projects and meetings, I am drawn to structuring my week around one or two main projects.
I am craving deep, thoughtful conversations and lots of alone time. My leisure time is spent on activities that feel slow and intentional – the aforementioned homemade chai obsession, baking, wandering in nature, sitting down with an engaging book.
I’m noticing a shift in my time habits around rushing.
The way I’m thinking about time has slowed down. I’m not so focused on the end result (a deadline, catching a bus) as much as I’m noticing the experience of being in the process (working on the project for which there is a deadline, enjoying the walk to the bus stop).
The way I spend my time feels different. I am not rushing to get the meal prepared and the kitchen cleaned. I am not rushing to finish projects (though, perhaps consequently, said projects are getting done). I am not checking the clock wondering if I’ll have to rush out of this meeting and into the next one.
While rushing can serve its purpose on many an occasion – I’m by no means saying I’m at all times calm, cool, collected (or early) – feeling present and grounded right now means slowing down my pace.
What’s working for me is taking an abundance approach:
Everything is happening in good time, and I have time for everything that needs to happen.
This allows me to settle into the focused work required for those ongoing projects. I have time to sit down and focus in.
I have time to watch the neighborhood kids playing outside while the chai spices simmer on the stove.
I have time to notice which routines and practices are serving me, and which ones are naturally shifting in response to the change of season. This is what I invite you to take some time to do this week.
What is serving you this season?
What routines and practices are serving you in this season?
What routines and practices are shifting (or need to shift) to better serve your needs right now?
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