Slow Down, You’re Doing Fine

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about time. It’s the only thing we spend without ever knowing how much of it we actually have. There are no refunds, no extensions, and no store credit. And yet, in today’s modern American society, we seem to live like we’re constantly in a race against it. Fast food. Fast internet. Fast commutes. Fast-paced everything. We rush to finish the thing we’re doing while already thinking about the next thing we have to do. It’s no wonder so many of us feel stressed, burnt out, and disconnected. Our culture praises productivity over presence, and that’s a problem.

When you look at other cultures, you notice a beautiful contrast. In Spain, siestas are built into the day—literal hours to go home, rest, and be with family. In Europe, eating out is a whole experience, not a rushed pit stop. Meals stretch over two hours, with zero pressure to rush to the next thing. There’s a built-in respect for slowing down, for enjoying life as it unfolds. I’m not saying Europe is a stress-free paradise or that everyone in America is constantly overwhelmed. But I do think we’ve lost touch with the concept of slow living. It’s always go-go-go, be-better, work harder, drink more caffeine to get through your day. And I just... don’t think that’s how we’re meant to spend our time.

Of course, life is expensive. Of course, we have to work. But what if we each took just one hour a day for ourselves? What if, instead of rushing, we took a walk? What if, instead of eating lunch at our desk, we sat outside with a good book or called someone we love? What if we shut down our phones after 5 PM and were just present?

The world wouldn’t fall apart. Emails could wait. Your to-do list would still be there. But you—you might feel lighter. Calmer. More connected. More alive. I’ve been trying to lean into that lately. Logging off, walking without music, eating without my phone, sitting with my thoughts. It’s hard—especially in a digital world where being “on” is the default—but it’s been surprisingly grounding. Because how we spend our time shapes who we are. Every moment, every habit, becomes a brick in the life we’re building. So I’ll ask you this: how do you want to spend your time? Racing... or living?

That’s all I’ve got today, friends. Happy Friday. We made it through the week!! This weekend, let’s all try to log off for just one hour out of the 48 we’ve got. Let’s breathe, be, and see how we feel.

xo, Lynsey

Picture: Mullett, Marcia. “Пин От Пользователя Johannabergendahl На Доске Fashion Inspo: Идеи Для Фото, Летние Фотосессии, Стиль Жизни.” Pinterest, 3 May 2025, www.pinterest.com/pin/68748859031/.