Living gently captures the essence of being kind to ourselves, embracing life as it unfolds without constantly chasing after more.
This year, I was forced into choosing “Vulnerability” as my #WOTY (Word of the Year) and various other words that resonate with the idea of taking things easy throughout the year.
One of those other words was “Gentle,” and today, I want to share with you what that means in my life.
“Gentle” has a wonderful, calm vibe to it. It captures the essence of being kind to ourselves, embracing life as it unfolds without constantly chasing after more, and simply going with the flow.
Believe in the journey
Living gently, or living lightly, starts with believing in the journey. There’s this constant societal push to hustle hard and live life at full throttle.
At this stage in life, I’ve realised that I’m not aiming to be superwoman any longer and slay like a beast, and I’m not certain I want to be the “woman who decided to have it all.” Right now, I’m more about trusting that life will unfold in its own time and in its own way – and being completely okay with that.
For years, I pushed hard, striving for perfection, checking all the boxes… but now, I simply want to unwind. I need time to recover from a year of pain and healing. I want to allow 2023 to take its own course without me constantly trying to steer it in a specific direction.
Winning isn’t everything
For my daughters 10th birthday they were gifted various boardgames. It was fascinating to observe their reactions when they were winning versus when they were losing. The highs of being in the lead were accompanied by wild celebrations, and the lows of coming last were marked by gloomy faces and a sense of defeat.
I kept reminding them that ultimately, it didn’t really matter. It was just a game, and what truly mattered was the fun we had while playing it. Once the game was over and packed away, who won or lost became inconsequential. I’m not sure if they fully grasped the idea, but it got me thinking about life and the constant pursuit of being first. Eventually, after their moment in the spotlight fades, it all becomes inconsequential.
Enjoy the ride and have fun
The more I contemplated life as akin to those board games, the more it made sense to simply enjoy the journey. Have fun along the way, play fair with others, and acknowledge that sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. But ultimately, it’s about relishing the game itself.
By removing competition, comparisons, the need to ‘be the best version of you’, life becomes more gentle. If you permit yourself to engage on your own terms, taking things day by day, you’ll discover a quieter rhythm that gives you space to breathe and settle. You can always jump back into the fast lane when you’re ready. I find this slower pace suits me better than a bustling life ever did.
“She quietly stepped out of the race she never wanted to be in, found her own path, and proceeded to win. Take one day at a time, one step at a time, one breath at a time”.
Living one day at a time
So, this year, I’m practicing what I learned and applying it to my mental, emotional, and spiritual journey. I can handle “one day at a time, one step at a time, one breath at a time” effortlessly.
That, for me, sums up living gently—navigating life without excessive effort… not letting life drain me, not feeling overwhelmed, overcommitted, or stressed… just gently going with the flow.
How about you?
Are you a high achiever, or is life nudging you towards a more relaxed pace? Have you noticed that midlife has brought a change of rhythm, either speeding things up or slowing them down? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
