The Slowdown: 📍You Are Here
The Rebellious Systems "Slowdown" — Issue #10 | September 2024
I’ve caught myself in a wonderful cycle of presence lately. So much so, I completely lost track of time and now it’s already the 10th of September!
I wasn’t feeling my usual Slowdown format so I decided to share something I wrote last week instead of trying to force it…a topic I will probably share more on later.
Stop the woulda-coulda-shoulda thoughts in their tracks
The concept of presence has always felt obscure – sometimes impossible – to me. I often catch myself obsessing over something that happened in the past or worrying about what could happen in the future.
I was going for a walk last week and caught myself stressing over a conversation I’d had with a client a few weeks ago. Disruptive woulda-coulda-shoulda thoughts began creeping in.
Instead of shaming myself for having those thoughts, or allowing the rumination of the past to continue, I thought to myself…
📍 Right now, I’m on a walk.
📍 Right now, I can feel the breeze on my skin.
📍 Right now, I’m kinda hungry.
The thought spiral stopped, and my nervous system began to regulate. I was able to enjoy the rest of my walk.
Being present doesn't have to be complicated. Sometimes it's as simple as stating “I am here” when you find your mind wandering in an unhelpful way.
Peace, love and workflows,
Andrea
🤓 Good Reads
Although I diverged from my usual Slowdown template, I still had to share this piece from
that I read last month — it really spoke to me.
“I’ve left so many times — and had so little for so long — that I have had to learn over and over again how to let go.”