Slow Down, You've Arrived!

This sign that welcomes you upon arriving on Waiheke sums up the irresistible lure of island life exquisitely. And even though it was erected years ago it couldn't be a more appropriate reminder for us right now, the perfect antidote to modern day living. As our lives have gotten busier, it certainly hasn't made us happier.  Since living on the island, after the fast paced of life in Sydney and London, I've discovered the numerous benefits of living a slower, more intentional life. 

Anyone that has faced their own mortality, whether it be through their own health issues or watching a loved one pass through the portal of death, will tell you that time is the most precious of gifts. But to truly appreciate the time we have in front of us right now takes some cultivation and effort.  It requires us to slow down. For those of us running off adrenaline, which is the default mode that gets us through everything on the ever expanding to do list, this seems counterintuitive to all that we have been taught in life. There is a deep seeded belief that things don't happen by going slowly.

But the thing I've found is that in the fastness, the busyness, we can lose sight of what truly matters, what is important and what is impactful.  How often do we stop to ask ourselves is this really in full alignment to my purpose, to the intention / goals that I've set for myself / for my business? Is this the best way of operating throughout my day to day life?  For myself, my health (both mental and physical), for my family and loved ones? What am I doing this all for?

Stopping and reflecting can be challenging for a lot of people. It is in the stillness we discover all that we've been suppressing and overriding. It can be uncomfortable and there is a likelihood that their will be a message for us that we don't want to hear.  But the problem with constant movement, with not tuning in to our bodies and our internal dialogue, is that it informs how we are walking through life.  Unexpressed emotions bubbling away ready to burst out of us at the most inappropriate of times.  And whatever it is that what we're not hearing becomes louder.  Our bodies will eventually start to send us signals in more dramatic ways.  This could be in the form of overwhelm, anxiety, depression, illness or even serious disease.  The list is infinite.   

How many times have you heard of someone going on their much anticipated holiday only to immediately get sick?! I've all to often witnessed in myself, and many others, this big build up to the holiday.  It's the one chance you get to tap out of the daily grind for the year, to really live.  Often a lot of money and time spent planning, not to mention expectation, goes into curating the 'perfect' experience.  And oh the let down if something goes wrong.  Maybe relationship issues that had been bubbling away underneath the surface come to light and the next thing you know you and your partner aren't able to agree on literally anything and in fact spending time together 24/7 is the last thing you want to be doing.  Perhaps the weather is less than perfect, flights are delayed or even worse cancelled, or the accommodation you've booked looks nothing like the photos (this must be a common one as I'm often told by people when they arrive at Sandhána oh wow it actually looks like it does in the photo's, pleasantly surprised!).  And all of a sudden our purpose for living is challenged, as what are we working for anyway if not to enjoy those four or so weeks annual leave that we're granted each year.  It's when we're supposed to be at our happiest right?!

So what do we do?  How do we find this elusive thing called happiness in every day life.  I've found on my own personal journey that slowing down and feeling more have been pivotal to this.  Being alone in stillness, in silence, journalling, reflecting, sharing vulnerably from my heart, moving slowly through asana (yoga poses), immersing myself in the cold (nothing brings me into a pure state of presence like this, time literally slows down) is all an opportunity to feel everything that presents itself in my body, allows me to process what is restricting me, as well as appreciate all that I do have in life.  And when I allow this sense of gratitude to flow through me, I notice all the little things in life that are so truly wonderful.  The sound of the birds that love to hang out at my property, the vibration of my cat purring, a complete stranger capturing my eye and smiling, all reminding me of how connected we all truly are.

And this is what we offer at the heart of Sandhána.  A chance to slow down, to take care of, and listen to our bodies, to get some clarity on why we're doing what we do and evaluate if it's in alignment with the bigger picture of what we're seeking in our lives. An opportunity to gather our energy and direct it in a purposeful and meaningful way, so that we're able to be in the moment, in admiration of the beauty that surrounds all of us.  So we're able to appreciate the time we have in front of us right here and now, no longer finding ourselves living a life that we want to run away from, dreaming of a distant future.

You may surprised to discover how impactful even just a day of challenging our mindset and belief patterns, and tuning into the innate wisdom that reside in all of us, can have.  See the link below for our upcoming day retreat offerings that have been specially curated to support you is this discovery. Are you ready to rewrite the script for 2024?