Prioritize "Being" for Emotional Well-BEING
It is easy to get swept up by the relentless current of 'doing.' We all navigate to-do lists, deadlines, and responsibilities, and many feel like they are swimming against the stream, or frantically paddling to stay afloat. But what happens when people become so focused on the doing that they lose touch with their inner landscape and emotional well-being? What happens when people let the go of the paddle, and instead of fighting the current, roll on their back and let the current carry them? This shift from 'doing' to 'being' can bring a HUGE sense of relief and liberation from the constant struggle.
As a therapist, I often whitness people completely overwhelmed and suffering from living their lives with this constant state of activity. Feeling overwhelmed becomes the norm, emotional regulation seems like an elusive skill, and the internal noise of busy minds silences the whispers of intuition.
Today, I want to explore the profound importance of prioritizing "being" – not as a passive state but as an active and essential ingredient for inner strength and emotional health.
Think about it: When do you tune in to yourself and actually listen to yourself? When do you create space to identify and feel your emotions without judgment or experience them without the immediate urge to fix or change something? People forget that in the quiet moments we offer ourselves, the demands of "doing" recede, and our emotions can surface and be acknowledged. Allowing and being with your thoughts and feelings is a step towards emotional regulation.
When constantly in "doing" mode, our nervous systems operate in a state of heightened arousal. This state of arousal helps us prepare for action and keeps us focused on scanning the environment looking for the next task, a problem to solve, or what is a threat to our lives. However, this arousal can also make us more reactive, less able to tolerate distress, and more susceptible to feeling overwhelmed. By intentionally carving out time for "being," we offer our nervous system a chance to downshift and are more likely to find calm and balance in our lives.
To invite calm and balance, make time to:
Take a few minutes to focus on your breath, notice your physical sensations, and observe your surroundings without judgment.
Spend time in nature, allowing its inherent stillness to soothe your mind and body.
Engage in yoga or Tai Chi to emphasize presence and mindful movement rather than strenuous exertion.
Focus on creative activities like doodling, playing music, or engaging in other hobbies purely for the experience of the process, not for a specific outcome.
Quieting the "doing" mind opens pathways to intuitive awareness. In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it is easy to miss subtle nudges and intuitive insight from our higher self and spirit guides. Intuition speaks quietly, like a whisper, and shows up through feelings, bodily sensations, and fleeting thoughts. When we are constantly preoccupied with tasks and external demands, we create a noisy internal environment that drowns out these delicate signals.
Prioritizing 'being' creates space for stillness, which is necessary to tune into this inner voice. In moments of quiet reflection, you might suddenly understand a situation from a new perspective, recognize a pattern you had not seen before, or feel a clear sense of direction. The empowerment that comes from 'being' will allow you to trust yourself and your intuitive awareness, leading to greater clarity, more aligned choices, and a deeper sense of inner knowing. It's a way of taking control of your life and your decisions.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, allowing ourselves to 'be' is an act of profound strength and self-compassion. In a society that often equates worth with productivity, choosing to slow down, rest, and be with ourselves can be challenging. It requires us to push back against the internal and external pressures to achieve and constantly perform. Quite frankly, in today's world, slowing down and 'being' is revolutionary—it takes strength and courage to rally against the hustle culture we live in. It's a brave act, a declaration of your right to be more than just a productive machine.
True strength is more than always pushing through the muck; it is also about knowing when to pause, nurture ourselves, and listen to our inner needs. Allowing ourselves to "be" acknowledges our humanity and the need for rest and reflection. It is a way of saying, "I matter, even when I'm not actively doing something." This act of self-compassion allows us to navigate life's challenges with gentleness and understanding, and fuels resilience.
As you move through your life, I invite you to consider where you might intentionally weave in moments of "being." These moments do not have to be grand or time-consuming. Even a few minutes of quiet stillness can make a difference. By shifting the focus from constantly "doing" to mindfully "being," you can access the wisdom of your intuition, focus on improving emotional regulation, and ultimately, build a deeper and more compassionate relationship with yourself. In this stillness, may you find the strength you never knew existed.
