{"id":5899,"date":"2025-11-11T04:05:00","date_gmt":"2025-11-11T11:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/?p=5899"},"modified":"2025-11-08T14:11:21","modified_gmt":"2025-11-08T21:11:21","slug":"are-you-a-slow-cooker","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/2025\/11\/11\/are-you-a-slow-cooker\/","title":{"rendered":"Steam Trains, Slow Cookers, and my Productivity"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

How can we be highly productive in a way that works with our natural wiring?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This is an excerpt from my book!<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

from: Chapter 3 – restful productivity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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ARE YOU A SLOW COOKER?<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But what if our obstacles have less to do with our energy levels and more to do with personality?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What if we discover, after some self-reflection, that we take more time to adjust to new situations? How can we be highly productive in a way that works with our natural wiring?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s talk about steam engines and crockpots!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"gray<\/a>
Photo by Sugden Guy sugden<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ever since a field trip to a train museum in 6th<\/sup> grade, I have called myself a locomotive steam engine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I realized after seeing the trains begin to slowly move across the tracks that I also need space and time to speed up and get to where I am going. Chug..chug.. chug\u2026 Gears screeching and wheels slowly turning\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that metaphor seems outdated and complicated. Let\u2019s try another one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by MChe Lee<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat would happen if you gave yourself permission to be like a slow cooker?… When we let things simmer, we\u2019re able to slow down and trust that the most important things will get done with perfect timing.\u201d <\/p>\u2013 Jadah Sellner [1]<\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I recently read about being a crockpot in this fantastic book: She Builds by Jadah Sellner<\/a>. I love the way she explains this concept. I could totally relate!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I warm up at a much slower pace than other people. I have always been this way. It takes me a little while to get into my groove of getting things done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I take longer to be present and feel comfortable in the moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, if I am in the midst of a project, I can be efficient and get a lot accomplished. I do not enjoy multitasking, but if I have space and time to focus on one thing, without interruption, I can be highly productive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just like the crockpot. Give me some time and space to get the work done, and it will be completed efficiently and to a high standard (and maybe even delicious).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Mehrpouya H<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I also take some time to emotionally open up and be ready to share. Vulnerability is valuable in relationships, but I need some reassurance and conversational space to go there.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If I am talking with someone and getting constantly interrupted, I tend to shut down and only listen, even with people that I am comfortable and safe with. This is self-knowledge that I am finally accepting and embracing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At 12-years-old I would ask myself, \u201cWhy is everyone else immediately comfortable at this pep rally and I need a few minutes to watch before I feel like I can enjoy this event?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or at 16, I would wonder, \u201cWhy do I need some time to review before I can complete this Algebra lesson? I know how to do it. Why can\u2019t I just jump into my homework?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For a long time, I have chastised myself for not running at the same levels as other people around me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now I do my best to accept myself as I am. And that often looks like applying this knowledge as I plan my schedule. Being kind to myself throughout the day as I decide what my next task will be. Giving myself some time to adjust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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So what does this look like?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

example #1 switching modes:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If I am trying to switch into \u201cproductivity mode\u201d then I give myself an on-ramp into the activity of work. I create routines that tell my body and my brain I am going into \u201cwork mode\u201d. I turn on playlists specific to writing or teaching, I often declutter the space and review previous material.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than anything, I give myself grace and kindness as I move slowly to clear the mental sludge. I let myself warm up. (for more ideas see chap. 7)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

example #2 online class:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If I am taking an online class or doing some work with a specific timeline, I make some space in the schedule before and after to get settled and let my brain transition. This looks like sitting at my desk 5 \u2013 10 minutes early before class.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I get a fresh cup of tea and look over my notes from the week before. I begin my notes page for this week\u2019s class, brain dump in my bullet journal things I need to work on after class, and spend a few minutes thinking about what I hope to learn. Then when the Zoom call starts, I am ready to be fully present and engaged with the teacher and my classmates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

example #3 end of work session:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the end of intense focused work, I let myself slow down gradually. This might be a writing session, teaching my kids, an online meeting, or even deep cleaning. I cannot go from busy activity to complete silence. I give myself 15 \u2013 20 minutes to switch modes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My off-ramp looks like making a list of what I will work on next, getting some quick tasks completed, or check email, organizing materials, and then making a task list for what I need to do next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

example #4 after a social event:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

My path back to calm and quiet is similar after a social event. I need some time to process. After being in social situations where I am surrounded by people and noise, the quiet is too jarring. I must let myself slow down in stages to feel comfortable with rest again. The stopping and the quiet are the endpoints. But I cannot just jump out of the activity and get there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I need to let things gradually change over time.\u202f<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, I need a way to relax after hosting a birthday party with all the kids, activities, and noise. I must create a logical fork in the road to quiet. I will usually sweep and mop the kitchen while listening to a podcast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then after that, I will sit in silence or spend time reading on the couch. This means I have to schedule downtime after social events. The more draining and demanding the event the longer off-ramp[2]<\/a> I will need to slow down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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There are times when I must get out of my comfort zone and push through.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are seasons where the calendar has more activity than what I like (ahem, May and August). But, I am more comfortable in my skin when I give myself a long track of time to move at my slower pace. I choose to not be rushed by my calendar or by others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have people in our lives who move at all kinds of different speeds. They differ in levels of productivity, the ways they transition, and how they structure their schedules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This self-knowledge is so helpful and freeing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is restful to one person might be stressful and overwhelming to another. A calm and smooth transition for him might seem abrupt and difficult for her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, I don\u2019t know if you relate to being a crock pot, a train, a racecar, or a tortoise, but it\u2019s okay if you take a bit to get in the groove.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To be the best versions of ourselves, we need to understand our natural tendencies<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then make adjustments where we can work with our natural rhythms. The way that each of us approaches productivity and rest will be different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[1]<\/a> Jadah Sellner. She Builds. <\/a>(New York, Harper Collins, 2022) chap.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> Off-ramps and on-ramps are the way that Kendra Adachi<\/a> talks about transitions from one activity to another or one season to another. Check her out! The Lazy Genius (https:\/\/www.thelazygeniuscollective.com<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

How can we be highly productive in a way that works with our natural wiring? . ARE YOU A SLOW COOKER? But what if our obstacles have less to do with our energy levels and more to do with personality? What if we discover, after some self-reflection, that we take more time to adjust to… <\/p>\n

Read <\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_stc_notifier_status":"sent","_stc_notifier_sent_time":"2025-11-11 04:40:04","_stc_notifier_request":false,"_stc_notifier_prevent":false,"_stc_subscriber_keywords":"","_stc_subscriber_search_areas":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4,278],"tags":[519,394,567,662,659,663,26,47,67,336,57,30,653,661],"class_list":["post-5899","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-mom-life","category-productivity","tag-book","tag-burnout","tag-burnout-recovery","tag-burnout-story","tag-burnout-symptoms","tag-healing-from-burnout","tag-home-management","tag-mom-life","tag-overwhelm","tag-overwhelmed","tag-productivity","tag-productivity-for-moms","tag-subtle-resistance-book","tag-subtle-resistance-by-april-edwards"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5899","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5899"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5899\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6136,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5899\/revisions\/6136"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5899"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5899"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5899"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}