Somewhere in the crevices between racing and relaxing, I roam. I’ve learned to linger and how to move on. Life moves fast and yet it’s still the longest known experience on this plane.
Today, I ran, took a beat, and ran some more. Running’s my moving meditation. That hasn’t changed. I’ve written about this seemingly paradoxical experience before, such as this post from exactly 3 years ago: https://kaylielongley.com/inner-compass-r/.
What has changed in my running routine is the pauses to reflect. I try to take a picture of each run, honoring the moment. I try to capture the spaces in-between. Spring revealing itself like a bud poking through a sidewalk. Blink, and you’ll miss it.
Productivity culture demands racing. As if stuffing a day to its fullness capacity equates worth. Spoiler alert: My value isn’t tied to do what I do. It’s who I am, day after day. What, who, and where do I value? How do I show up?
Heavy questions, sure. But that’s the exact point of these intersection posts, digging into the reasons behind behaviors and beliefs. (Browse all intersection posts: https://kaylielongley.com/category/intersection/.)
One belief? Life is funny. I’m the person who has an analog watch yet still times runs via a load of laundry.
When my Fitbit took its last breath, I spent months without a watch, then found a Ministry of Silly Walks one. Time scarcity seems less intense when new moments around the clock mean high-kicks.
Today’s run and resulting reflection is more “self-care” than cultural debris and other lies of late-stage capitalism. I’ll keep running, and I’ll keep practicing the pause.
Over to you: How are you savoring the in-between? Or are you finding life’s faster or slower than ever? What’s your pace?