Spring Break Slow Down
+ some practices for a busy season
This week, for part of my kids’ Spring Break, we are in the Hill Country outside of Austin for a few days. My in-laws have a house here that they generously share with us when we can make it out. The house is actually a “barndeminium” which is to say, a barn with an apartment on top.
This part of the Hill Country is rugged, with plenty of cacti and big skies. It’s more desert than anything, but with small trees, hills, and (this time of year) wildflowers. It’s different than Wimberley or Fredericksburg. There are no busses of bachelorettes headed to wineries and no couples slowly making their way through antique stores or art galleries. Most houses around here sit on at least 30 acres — we can barely see any other homes, much less people.
When we’re here, we watch for deer, and drive around on off-road vehicles naming our favorite spots — like “butterfly town” and “castle rock.” We read, play games, roast hot dogs, and move through our days at a slower pace. Here at the “barn,” time sort of stands still.
Of course, it doesn’t really stand still. There is just less to do, we have fewer restrictions on our time, and we lean into the slowness of the landscape. It’s a choice even to come here. We could fill these days with more appointments, more kid activities, and more work, but we don’t. We see our need and desire to connect with each other and with nature. We see the benefits of slowing down, even if just for a few days.
I can already feel the tug of the end of the school year. Signing up for summer camps, starting swim lessons, invitations for 5th-grade graduation (and a committee I agreed to be on), Fine Arts night, Easter plans, and on and on. (Not to mention my own attempt to get ahead in hopes of the summer feeling more relaxed.)
It’s not always possible to leave town for the barn amidst a busy season. We can’t always choose a slower pace, but being here got me thinking about how I might integrate some slower practices into my next few months. So today, I’m sharing with you a few practices that I plan to incorporate, and you might turn to in your own busy seasons.
Block off some time. This practice stems from my own Sabbath practice. In our family, we consistently block off Sunday afternoons and do not make plans. We might end up going on a hike or meeting friends for lunch, but plans are not made until the day of. We let the day unfold as it will. When things get busy, it’s a true blessing to know we have this afternoon set aside. For you, this might be Friday nights blocked for movies and pizza or Saturday mornings pancakes (also, your time off might not include food. You do you.) Even if you can’t make this an every-week thing, find some pockets and keep them empty!
Block off more time! When I see my schedule filling up, I choose an open Thursday morning and write in “don’t plan anything” — just to keep it as margin. I keep it open for catching up on work, a long walk, or a last-minute coffee date that is too important to miss. Build in margin you’ll thank yourself later.
I recently heard about a practice where you take 30 seconds between activities. 30 seconds after work and before the school pick-up line. 30 seconds between your shower and drying your hair. 30 seconds after you arrive somewhere and before getting out of your car. Just pause. There is nothing else to do — just stop before you start.
Similarly, take time to breathe. Find a “cue” like when you do the dishes, start your car, or before looking at your phone. Take a few deep breaths or use a breath prayer to center yourself.
Schedule in delight. What brings you delight? In busy seasons we have to work harder to find time, but it’s all the more important. If your schedule is packed, you’re less likely to make time for what you love. So schedule it! A long walk with a friend, an afternoon (or 30 minutes) with a good book, whatever it is that brings you delight — schedule it so you know it will happen.
As I write this, I’m already looking at my calendar. I text a friend about a walk and blocked off a few mornings for margin. I’ve already been practicing taking 30 seconds between and can feel myself calm down instead of rushing ahead. What other practices would you add to my list? How do you slow down when things start to get busy?
Alongside you,
Holly
A few things:
Learning From Trees by Grace Butcher — this poem keeps showing up, and I thought you might like it too.
Matthew 11:28-30 Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.
Living Resistance: An Indigenous Vision for Seeking Wholeness Everyday - I will write a longer review for this later, but what a gift this new book by Kaitlin Curtice has been so far.
As a spiritual direction apprentice, I am taking on directees for free as I learn and grow in the practice. If you know anyone who might be interested, would you send them my way? You can read more about my apprenticeship training here and see my bio at the bottom of this page. This email is also a great way for people to get to know me first! If you know someone who might be interested, please forward this email to them, or they can contact me at: hollyporterphillips@gmail.com