Life goes so fast. It seems more and more that we constantly are being bombarded by notifications, dings, pings and demands for our attention. Technology has in so many ways improved our lives and in so many other ways has become a nuisance for many people. There are so many demands for our attention. We may find ourselves overwhelmed and unsure of how to react.

This can be true for some people with regard to everyday demands at work, at home and in our social lives. It may seem as though we are forced to respond to every notification, every request, every invitation, every discussion, every argument immediately. It may seem as though everything has to be done right this second. What if that were not true? What would happen if you were to give yourself permission to slow down and really think about how you want to respond to any given thing? What would happen if before you were to respond, you checked in with your emotions and feelings and the chose how to respond to whatever demand for your attention has arisen?

When we give ourselves permission to pause, think about what we are feeling and why, we give ourselves permission to respond with thoughtfulness and consideration. When we give ourselves permission to slow down and really consider our emotions, we can use those emotions as data to help us determine our next move. It takes practice, but it might be well to remember that not everything requires an immediate response. Some of the best responses to demands for our attention are those that are slow and deliberate.

Every day, we are given the opportunity to really think about which of the demands for our attention really are worthy of our responses. Some things may require a little more thought and that is okay. It may feel as though we must immediately respond to every text, every notification we receive with immediacy, but that is not always the case. Some things can wait. Yes, there may be emergencies that require a quick response, but not everything in our lives likely rises to the level of emergency. It is okay to think about how want to respond to many of the things in our lives that demand our attention.

Some people may find it challenging to slow down, pause to consider feelings and emotions and then respond to something with thoughtfulness because they are fearful of how they will be perceived if they do not respond quickly. It is well to remember that it matters less what others think of us than it does to respond appropriately and with care. I understand this can be challenging for some, and that is okay. The more we practice being thoughtful and deliberate with our responses to life’s demands, the easier it becomes.

Can you give yourself permission to slow down, pause to consider your feelings and then choose how you want to respond to life’s demands? Can you give yourself permission to remember that not everything requires an immediate response? Life goes so fast. It is okay to give yourself permission to take things one at a time.

Karri Christiansen, MSW, LSW, CADC, CCTP