Are you someone who needs to do and have all the things? You know, buy the latest gadget, attend the latest happenings, keep up with the news, make sure to be on top of all the trending “it” memes. That deep desire to “have it all” is something I can relate to.

We can own all the stuff and wear it like a badge of honor to signify our knowing. Being current as a form of currency. Though I sometimes wonder at what point being “in” and “on” flips into overdrive and burn out. Too much of a good thing.

Our focus on consumption can come at the expense of presence and sustainability. This is where more is not necessarily better.

So much of our current pace is a function of where we live, who we live and surround ourselves with and which priorities we choose. Do the things that we feed (with our energy, attention and resources) actually feed and nourish us or do they drain and take away from us, inadvertently sacking our energy?

Think of our social media consumption. Entertainment can quickly become overwhelm, causing us to compare, despair and require more. In our insatiable quest to learn, uncover and discover more, we become addicted to the act of consuming itself, unless we consciously monitor our actions and titrate our exposure.

Reflecting on where we are

Spending time in Europe has been showing more of la dolce vita – the good life. That life can be pleasurable. Slowness, leisure and reflection can be worthwhile pursuits. Far more enjoyable to be present and appreciate beauty (surroundings, food, lovely objects) than to constantly be in go mode.

I’ve realized how much our environment influences us when moving from Manhattan to Brooklyn, then to Pennsylvania farm country. The energy and pace of each location has its own rhythm and beat, each with its own advantages and challenges. Yet we don’t often realize how much our surroundings impact our experience until we change them.

Have you ever wondered: “am I working at the right place and pace for me?” It can be hard to know what’s best because our systems get entrained to the energies around us. When everything moves fast, we need to adapt to keep up. We lose track of perspective as we become consumed by our surroundings – for better or worse.

Case in point, my driving and cursing frequency typically accelerate when I drive from PA to NJ to NYC. My impatience increases noticeably as I become intolerant of those who aren’t tracking at the right pace. And yet I also notice the a$$holes who are always in a race to win Le Mans (or more likely Nascar where they drive in circles). What award they hope to celebrate I can’t tell you.

Where’s the fire?

We will get to our destinations eventually, and far better if it’s in one piece without a speeding ticket or accident to show for it. The value in slowing down is noticing and exercising care.

It’s often when we’re forced to reflect that we can get a more realistic sense of the pace that our bodies need, and perhaps what our souls are longing for. More rest. Time for reflection. Slow food. Phone calls over texts. In person interactions over virtual screen time.

Ideally we wouldn’t only discover the pleasures of slowing down when we’re on vacation or forced into bed rest for sickness. Can we find more joy by choice?

I’m curious if you’ve discovered any ways that your body or your current situation might be inviting you to slow down, drop in and find a different pace? Where might you appreciate more leisure and presence? Does your pace need to adjust?

How does it feel to become aware of your needs and have they changed? Can you listen to the subtle hints and adjust your internal rhythm accordingly or do you prefer to resist and persist?

What underlying beliefs do you have around things needing to “be” a certain way?

I think these are worthy reflections to consider periodically. For the longest time, I associated working hard and doing things quickly with productivity. I naturally assumed that getting sh*t done was the best (and only) way to work. Anyone or anything that wasn’t hustling wasn’t trying very hard. Thankfully I’ve been able to put that pushing and proving energy to rest, though old habits die hard.

There is nothing wrong with pushing and doing, yet we can also enjoy allowing things to unfold and being with the process more. Space creates the room for us to connect with our own rhythm. Listening more to our inner voice is a powerful way to track where we are and receive more insight about what may be calling us next. Which music do you choose to listen to? Can you drown out the noise to hear the signal?

If you’re ready to find your drum beat and be guided by your own natural pace, then let’s connect. Your inner rhythm is worth respecting and I have no doubt that the sound of your soul is beautiful.