One of my professors in graduate school gave us an assignment to take time in our week to look up and notice the treetops. It seemed like such a simple assignment. I remember thinking, “Is that all?” – little did I know how difficult yet effective this assignment would be!
It took such an intentional effort to slow myself down from my day full of meetings and commitments to stop to look up – but then to also notice the treetops. My gaze moved from my usual view of sidewalks and pavement to the beautiful palm tree standing high above my view. I couldn’t help but stop, and hold my gaze for a moment, taking in the tops of all the trees in view. And slowly, I was seeing the sky and the beautiful clouds I had not noticed for days, maybe even weeks.
How had I walked by these trees so often and never taken a moment to look up?
Isn’t this how it can often feel? The never ending to do list, the rush to try to make it to your next meeting or appointment on time, feeling exhausted and wondering how you will ever get it all done.
This feeling of anxiousness, worry, and stress can begin to take a toll not only on our mental health, but also can often begin to affect our work, our physical well-being, and even our relationships. You may notice that you are more irritable or lose your temper over the littlest things; maybe you begin to feel like you just don’t care and start to try to find ways to “escape” or distract yourself. You may even begin to find yourself having difficulty falling asleep or waking up feeling worried or anxious.
3 Things that Keep Us from Pausing to Rest and Reset
- Feeling too overwhelmed with the daily hustle and bustle
- The pending fear that you may miss something important
- Sensing that you will disappoint others
Maybe you can relate with one of these. I think many of us can. These very things can make the practice of slowing down seem almost impossible. It is often hard to even imagine being able to take a break from the daily hustle, but sometimes it can be more simple than you may think.
What does this look like?
Breathing
Take 1-2 minutes to do some simple breathing in your day: maybe in the morning before you even start your day, or at the stoplight while you are driving. Simply relax your shoulders and take a deep breath in through your nose, and slowly release the air all the way out, repeating a few times. Try it now – feel the air come in and release out. Sensing the space of calm and slow even for just a moment.
Slowing to Notice
It may be noticing the tops of the trees, or the beauty of a flower, or even savoring a cup of coffee or tea as you sip it, but finding time in your day, even if it's as little as one minute to slow enough to let yourself be in the present moment.
Writing in a Gratitude Journal
Take a moment to reflect and delight in the things you feel thankful for in your day or week. Note them down in a gratitude journal.
I loved this challenge from that graduate school professor – to look at the treetops. It has been for me, a continual reminder to regularly invite the opportunity to let myself slow and notice.
The act of taking a moment to let yourself shift your view away from the worries and angst that sometimes feels overbearing could create just the space you need to begin to feel a bit more empowered to better hold the demands of each day. If you allow yourself to slow for even just a few minutes, you may begin to reconnect with the beauty that surrounds you; and even may begin to feel that the daily to-dos feel just a little bit less overwhelming!
About Kristi
Kristi Wollbrink, LMFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Pasadena, CA with extensive experience supporting individuals, couples, and families in both private practice and community-based settings. She specializes in working with high-achieving healthcare professionals, navigating stress, anxiety, and burnout, using systemic and evidence-based approaches to promote resilience and well-being. She has been a Marvin therapist since February 2024.
