Joan Craven's Blog

We are now on our 11th day of self-distancing. Our condo is cleaner than it has ever been. Most of our drawers are tidy and our fridge, freezer and pantry cupboard are finally clearing out.

The graham crackers I took out to make squares were rancid but I found out-of-date yeast still worked. It just took a little longer….don’t we all as we age?

While we always go through social withdrawal when we journey back from Palm Springs. This time it has been Cold Turkey!

Thank heavens one good friend started a journal titled “14 Days of Self-Isolation”… it seems to be going ‘fairly well’ for them with the exception today’s instalment which is titled “14 Days of Incarceration!” The updates have kept us laughing.

We have plenty of time to think. What we have noticed is how we have been forced to slow down and contemplate what really is important.

If you are finding that you too can fill your days and you are thinking about ways to incorporate some of these new habits into your daily life here are

10 Tips for Slowing Down

1. Control the Controllable
2. Notice the Small Things
3. Do Not Compare
4. Choose 3 Things to Accomplish Each Day
5. Breathe
6. Single Task
7. Take a Day a Week Off
8. Eat Slower
9. De:clutter
10. Count Your Blessings

When we slow down we make a conscious choice to embrace a healthier lifestyle. We can nurture our close relations and feel a sense of self satisfaction with life. Begin your guilt-free slow-down today!