We had a major AHA this month while unpacking a delivery from Amazon. The majority of a lot of the world’s problems seem to come from moving way too fast. Here are some ways to create a space that helps you SLOW DOWN.
RESIDENTIAL
I was unpacking yet another Amazon package and breaking down the cardboard to recycle and began thinking about all the additional cardboard we now generate because of online shopping. On the one hand, it’s fast and convenient. On the other it has increased waste and carbon dioxide levels tremendously. The thing is, now that we have gotten a taste of speed and convenience- it’s impossible to go back.
The way many people live their lives in cities across the world is also at increased speeds. It’s the only way to fit it all in. Work and live faster. The problem with this is that it’s easy to become a mindless, less emotionally connected human when we prioritize speed and getting shit done over being. And when this happens, it becomes harder to live a connected, deep and meaningful life.
When we slow down, we create time for life empowering things such as seeing family and friends, travelling, doing the things that we love and bring us joy and having moments of white space- where there is no to do list, and you move from doing to actually, just Being. It is from here that all great ideas come from. Because in this space your monkey mind slows down and you can tap into your intuition and higher Self. If you read our newsletter, you know that we believe that our spaces have a tremendous effect on our mood and well-being. So with that in mind, here are some simple things you can do design wise to help you SLOW DOWN.
- Add an armchair with a blanket next to a window and have it be your go to de-stressing place where no phones or tablets are allowed. You just sit and look out the window or meditate. That is the only thing – to do.
- Create a piece of art with a saying that reminds you to slow down and hang it in a prominent place in your home as a visual reminder.
- Pick a recipe that excites you, purchase the ingredients and schedule an hour or two on a Sunday afternoon to put some music on, pour yourself a glass of wine and cook. Cooking is another form of creativity. It also brings you into the present moment as you must pay attention while doing it. When you’re finished, put your phone away, create a nice table setting and sit down and enjoy your meal. Do not read, do not talk on the phone. Just sit and enjoy the food you have prepared(harder to do than you think!). This is a great opportunity to also give thanks for the food in front of you. If you can be fully present in this moment it can be extremely restorative.
COMMERCIAL
SLOW DOWN at work? Are we crazy? Even though we push ourselves to work 8,10 and 12 hour days we’re actually not meant to work for that long.
“The eight-hour workday is not based on the optimal number of hours a human can concentrate. In fact, it has almost nothing to do with the kind of work most people do now: Its origins lie in the Industrial Revolution, not the Information Age.” – Melanie B Curtin, Inc. Magazine
In fact, research shows that the average person is only truly productive for around three to four hours a day.
Given that the world is just beginning to catch on and experiment with four-day work weeks, here are a couple of ways to make sure you are slowing down in order to be the most productive at work:
- Leave a reminder on your computer telling you to go for a daily walk and set an alarm on your phone in the afternoon (when your inbox is hopefully down to zero and energy levels naturally decrease) to do it. When you are on your walk try not to problem solve or think about the things you need to do when you get back. Instead take some deep breaths and tap into your surroundings. Notice the sky and trees. When I tap into them, I realize how still they are and how powerful they are in their stillness- just like us when we take some time for ourselves and slow down.
- If you are lucky enough to work in an office that has a meditation room or chill out space, set a daily reminder sometime in the afternoon to take 15-20 minutes to meditate which is one of the most powerful ways to slow down and tap into your higher Self. You can expect to come back to work more rested, clear, and even with some new ideas or solutions.
- Surround yourself with things that you love. Keep photos of family and friends on your desk. Add small design elements that make you happy. These things will not only boost your mood and keep you in a positive mindset, but they’ll remind you that you’re much more than your work.
Gala Magriñá Design works with clients that understand the importance of creating a beautiful space and want to work with a no-nonsense design team that is able to clearly chart the best way forward. What separates or approach from other designers is our extensive knowledge of how people live and how best to create a customized space that nurtures that. We aim to merge cool and beautiful interiors with a holistic, mindful and intuitive approach to design that results in powerful, healthy spaces that elevate and transform people’s lives. For more information please visit www.galamagrinadesign.com.