{"id":6238,"date":"2026-02-19T03:47:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-19T10:47:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/?p=6238"},"modified":"2026-02-18T11:50:07","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T18:50:07","slug":"softer-ways-of-slowing-down-in-a-world-that-wont","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.embracinghome.blog\/index.php\/2026\/02\/19\/softer-ways-of-slowing-down-in-a-world-that-wont\/","title":{"rendered":"Softer Ways of Slowing Down in a World That Won\u2019t"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What I do when responsibilities pile up and my body finally says \u201cenough.\u201d And how I process the hard or unusual, and create space to breathe again.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Is it possible to slow down when life keeps going?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes. I think we can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Will it be difficult?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

It will be strange to some people and you will be rudely misunderstood by others. But, I think it is worth it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The peace in our homes, and the emotional and spiritual health we have matter.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the crash happens, or even before it gets to that point, I use these tools to slow me down. I return to these rebuilding steps when things become overwhelming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I juggle a lot of things. I am an overachiever and I have many roles. Throughout the week (during the school year) I am teaching, doing farm chores, cleaning, writing, grading papers, laundry, household tasks, parenting, planning, cooking, organizing all the spaces… I do the work of three jobs. My husband also has multiple roles he shoulders. We share a long list of responsibilities and we do them well. (Proficient first-borns through and through.. \ud83d\ude09)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though I am efficient and use my routines to get me through a massive amount of work, sometimes it catches up with me. All the task switching, the weight of expectations, and the busy schedule feel too heavy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So I crash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My Story - <\/em><\/strong>\nFor me, the crash looks like feeling sick on the couch. An upset stomach and a migraine. Or it could be not wanting to go anywhere or do anything social. I have no desire to chat with other people or join conversation in a group. It is taking a long nap or mindlessly watching nature documentaries on Netflix. I cannot motivate myself to care about any of the tasks I need to do or usually want to do. \n\nI literally cannot do anything else. I am physically and emotionally worn out. But it is not the satisfying worn-out like after a good day or a long walk. It is an overwhelm that presses me down. <\/em>\nUsually the crash hits me only sporadically when I am taking time for Sabbath, rest, and not dealing with health issues. \n\nAt other times in my life, I have crashed every Friday afternoon.<\/em><\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
The crash can also be called over-functioning.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cIt is the temptation to do more than what God has called you to do. When you over-function you don\u2019t have time to eat, to take care of your body, or to connect.\u201d – Emily P. Freeman defined this very well in <\/em>episode #183 of The Next Right Thing Podcast<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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Photo by Quin Stevenson<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Taking care of yourself must be specific to who you are and your lifestyle.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
We all have different needs and daily obstacles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rebuilding Step #1 \u2013 Self-Care<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
This is not about being selfish and getting everything we want, but about filling up our buckets so we can pour out for others. Each person is unique and has different needs at different seasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To get started with self-care<\/strong> you need some fresh self-awareness.<\/strong> I highly recommend getting to know who you are right now, in this stage of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n