Why We Need to Slow Down
Life is just whizzing by way too fast! Every morning, my Mom rushes to get me and my little brother ready for school. We gulp down a quick breakfast and are pretty much out the door in a big hurry. At school, it's one class after another - math, reading, science, gym. We barely have time to catch our breath between subjects. Then it's back home to eat a hasty dinner, do
homework, take a bath, and get ready for bed so we can start the whole rushed cycle over again the next day.
The weekends aren't much better. On Saturdays, we have soccer games, piano lessons, and grocery shopping to cram into our schedule. Sundays are when we all try to clean the house, do laundry, and get organized for the crazy week ahead. By Sunday night, I'm already dreading the blaring of my alarm clock the next morning. I feel like I barely have a moment to relax and just be a kid!
My parents are even busier than me. Dad leaves for his office job before the sun comes up and doesn't get home until after dinner. He immediately has to help my brother and me with our homework. Mom works part-time and is always rushing from
one task to the next - working, grocery shopping, chauffeuring us to activities, cooking, cleaning. Even during family time on weekends, at least one of my parents seems distracted by work emails and calls on their phones.
I don't think it's supposed to be this way. I think we're all moving way too fast and not taking enough time to appreciate the simple joys in life. Every now and then, I need to just stop, take a deep breath, and smell the roses (or in our case, the freshly cut grass in our backyard). Here are some of the reasons why I believe we need to slow down: Less Stress
With our hectic schedules, it feels like we're always frazzled and frantic. There are constant deadlines to meet and not enough hours in the day. I've started noticing stress symptoms in my own little third-grade life – headaches, trouble sleeping, upset stomach. That can't be good! I think if we all slowed our pace a bit, we'd be a lot calmer and happier. More Quality Time
These days, even when we're all together as a family, we don't really take the time to connect with each other. Mom and Dad are preoccupied with housework and their phones. My
brother and I are usually zoned out watching TV or playing video games. We're under the same roof but not truly present for each other. If we slowed down, we could actually talk, joke around, and bond through shared activities like game nights. Appreciation of Nature
With our busy lives, we spend most of our time indoors - at school, at work, at home. When was the last time any of us really took a walk in the park or stopped to watch the clouds? Getting outside and appreciating the natural wonders around us is so important. Plants, animals, the colours of the changing seasons - there's a whole world out there for us to marvel at if we take the time.
Better Health
Speaking of being outdoors, all that fresh air and exercise from slowing down our paces would do us a world of good physically. We'd all lose some weight from not constantly rushing from place to place and snacking on unhealthy
grab-and-go meals. Getting proper rest by not over-scheduling would allow our bodies to feel rejuvenated too. Overall, we'd just be healthier if we made time for self-care. Find Creativity and Passion
With everyone in my family always stressed out and busy, it feels like we've lost our sparks. Dad seems bored at his job, Mom is constantly cranky, and my brother and I don't pursue any hobbies or interests besides video games. If we slowed down and had some free time, we could rediscover our creativity, curiosity, and passions in life through new activities like art, cooking, reading, or exploring. That would make us excited and happy again!
So those are my reasons why we need to apply the brakes and slow this speeding train of life down a little. I know change isn't easy, but I think it would be so worth it. We'd trade in our frantic existences for calmer, healthier, more connected lives. We'd be able to focus on the people and pastimes that really matter. Now if I could just convince my parents of all this...maybe I'll leave this essay lying around where they're sure to find it!
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