Posted by
Dr. Eric Perry
84 Comments

How to Slow Down Time ⌛️

Written by Dr. Eric Perry
Image Credit: Pixabay

“How did it get so late so soon?” ~Dr. Seuss

1. Live for now, not for later
We can only experience happiness in the present moment. Just because we are in the middle of a mundane project does not mean we cannot reflect on this fortunate opportunity to participate in the dance of life. Our moments are so fleeting. A day will pass so quickly, even when doing something we do not want to do. It is important to find something worth appreciating, especially during the moments we prefer to do without. Those are our moments too! With every heartbeat, we beat odds that are heavily stacked against us. Learn to love what you have to do. You will be much happier as you savor even more of your moments.

2. Visit social media, don’t live there
Ok, I will say it. We spend too much time on social media. Social media gives us a way to connect with people from across the globe. But, how much time is spent connecting with strangers compared to family and friends? We must be careful not to let social media distract us from experiencing intimacy on a deeper level with the people we already know and love. At the end of life, it won’t be the number of followers we have on Instagram or WordPress that we remember. It will be the quality of time spent with those who love us most that matters.

3. Are you not entertained? Yes, very much so
Technology provides easy access to all kinds of entertainment. And, a lot of profit is being made from the desire to be entertained. Our happiness should not depend on how entertained we can keep ourselves. We need to spend less time watching a box (television) within a box (our room), and more time sitting together for dinner, playing board games, taking a walk, reading or self-reflecting.

4. Don’t sweat the little things
In the words of Leo Buscaglia, “Every moment spent in unhappiness is a moment of happiness lost.” There are so many things we can stress or be unhappy about. The list is and will always be endless. When we fixate on the little things that make us unhappy, we are letting life pass us by.

5. Escape from the city to nature
Nature does not rush, and neither should we. Let’s take a moment to reflect on the people we are surrounded by on a daily basis. Are they usually in a rush? Are they worriers? Are they always stressed? It is important to make time for ourselves in environments that are far from negativity because we are likely to become like the people who accompany us most. By escaping to nature, we can reconnect with ourselves and the earth to be revitalized and re-energized.

The thoughts expressed in this blog post are my own and are not meant to create a professional relationship with the reader. This blog does not replace or substitute the help of a medical professional. Please note, I am unable to answer your specific questions as I am not fully aware of all of the circumstances.

Kindly,
Dr. Perry

Copy of Dr. Eric Perry

“I help ambitious and high achieving individuals manifest a life of success and fulfillment in order to achieve the life they truly desire.”

Dr. Eric Perry | drericperry.com

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84 responses to How to Slow Down Time ⌛️

  2. A Floating Speck says:

    I agree one hundred percent, stop watching a box inside of a box before you end up in a box !⚰

    Liked by 14 people

  4. serenasinclair says:

    I always find if I’m watching TV I feel like I need to be doing something else as well. I never feel like that if I’m reading or doing a puzzle or taking a walk. It’s interesting to think about.

    Liked by 5 people

  6. Barbara says:

    You have no idea how I need someone to tell me this stuff on a regular basis. I also have a son who needs to hear No. 4 NOW! Thank you again for a great post.

    Liked by 6 people

    • Dr. Perry says:
      Author

      Your comments are very motivating to me Barbara. I always appreciate hearing from you.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Rightingnow.com says:

    Bare feet in the grass, then cool water running through my fingers, sunshine on my back as I paddle, the chaotic melodies of the wildlife, turtles poking their heads out and poised to jump in if I get too close, the occasional fish jumping out of the water, clean air, and trees! Oh, the trees! This is real life, the rest of the world is just an irritating electrical buzz.

    Liked by 4 people

  9. Wendy says:

    This post captures the real essence of what’s important – to enjoy this very moment in life and spend time with loved ones. I heard a great quote recently that went along the lines of: “Sow the seeds in Spring, cultivate and care for them through the summer in order to reap the harvest in the Autumn” – I’m pretty sure it was Jim Rohn. I absolutely love the picture that goes with this post – time passes like sand through our fingers and we all have the same amount of time – it’s how we spend it that makes the difference to our lives. Thanks so much for liking my post and leading me to your VERY inspiring blog!

    Liked by 3 people

  10. surman1972 says:

    Learning to live in the now, was the hardest part for me, but its so worth the journey. and i have rule that unless it rinfs, i put my mobile down after 6pm, these steps seem so obvious, once they’re pointed out!

    Liked by 6 people

      • surman1972 says:

        I was assisted by two major influences, The chimp paradox, by Dr Stephen Peters, and Emma from Old Town hypnotherapy. I always used to be living in the past, wishing things had or hadn’t happened, or dissecting things I could understand had happened, or looking to the future, planning or looking forward to whatever. It’s taken me 18 months to truly be aware of NOW, my surroundings, what I’ve got, rather than what I want, learning to be positive again, life had turned me negative. And part of my process was my blog, it doesn’t cost a great deal to put my trainers on grab the dog and run, to burn off the excess adrenaline in my system.

        Liked by 3 people

  11. The girl in veil says:

    liked all the truths you just mentioned but ‘visit social media, don’t live there’ is my favorite. well written! 🙂

    Liked by 5 people

      • carolineturriff says:

        This is a wonderful post on how to enjoy your life. Social media is a double edged sword. On the one hand since I started writing my blog in the middle of last year and promoting it on social media my life has got so much bigger with fantastic comments about the blog from people all over the world. When I announced I was 11 years clean on Facebook earlier this year there was a wonderful response that made me feel, even more, that I had achieved something. But social media does take you away from contact with real people. Sometimes I am obsessed with my email inbox with its dating and social media updates and find it hard to focus when I got to recovery meetings or speak to a friend on the phone. But as I live alone and work from home I force myself to leave the house every day to get contact with real people as well. It’s about balance.

        Liked by 4 people

  15. ijustlookbadonpaper says:

    There is so much about this that I love and relate to. My healing/recovery/life plan basically consists of this; being present – baby steps;) I also had to go back and read the previous post that you referenced as I very literally lost my spouse to social media and it’s ability to feed his addiction and need for external validation. Curse you, Facebook. Anyway, thanks for this! If I were on my phone typing this I’d give you a fist bump emoticon.

    Liked by 5 people

  16. blogini says:

    Only five, simple but full motivated. Like your writing for number 3 about entertain
    Post comment on your Blog also can entertain us. And for number 2, I agree.
    Thank’s for tips !

    Liked by 5 people

  18. thirtynwordy says:

    Love your comments about social media. It really is a blessing and a curse. Spending more time focusing on strangers than those actually in our lives is pretty tragic. I am realizing this to be more and more a problem in relationships.

    Liked by 5 people

  21. Deb says:

    #5 is my favorite! It is truly amazing how much nature can teach us and renew us. It’s free, simple and revitalizing!! Great post!! Thanks. 😊

    Liked by 3 people

  22. Melissa says:

    Great reminders…..I’m overly concerned with my future happiness lately. It’s robbing me of current happiness I could be enjoying.

    Liked by 4 people

  23. jennygorman says:

    wouldn’t it be nice to really slow down time? I’m a farm girl who moved to the city to be with her hubby. I’m looking forward to the day when I can find a shady spot of my own to relax in. I also agree that we live too much on social media. Good piece! Keep writing, and thanks for liking my blog.

    Liked by 4 people

  28. Thinkdigest says:

    This post is quite magical that’s the first word i can use to just describe its amazing meaning. Boy! How i love to do the few i never knew. Time must slow down! Thanks for sharing an evergreen beautiful piece.
    Much love, George

    Liked by 5 people

  29. hippiegirl5 says:

    With my debilitating condition I am home bound, some days recliner bound. I find myself looped in the social media loop. I already have moments of losing time. But as I surf media and pics time flies by!. In the last week I have lost my phone and I have to say it has actually been wonderful. It has it’s stressful moments don’t get me wrong but I have a house phone… you know those cordless things that collect dust on the counter. Losing my phone has given me a chance to sew and blog more. Your Nature Comments.. Love Love .. The family and I started a bon fire last week wrapped taters in foil tossed them on the coals, put a pan on the fire with some pork chops. We went in when the sun went down 🙂 Always time to make time to relax in nature with family and teach kids the simple ways! Hippie Hugs my friend

    Liked by 6 people

  30. birds, bees & berries says:

    Slowing down time, indeed! Love this post, and it mirrors closely to a draft I have waiting for me to finish. Social media, time, finding joy…great post! Thanks!

    Liked by 6 people

  32. suesuzzz says:

    This is amazing advice to live by everyday!!.. I have to work on “Live for now, not for later” that is an ongoing struggle but I am working on it….I haven’t been on Facebook oh in maybe 4 months or so I just don’t have time really at this moment in my life.. So social media is really not a big problem I get on here and IG for inspiration ‘looks for our home” I have Twitter and a few others but it’s been almost a year or over since I have been on them lol…I do need to get a hold of a friend on twitter check on her but other than that , that’ it on social so I feel good about that…
    The box is on in the background on low I usually say oh I would like to watch that show then I end up doing other things so then I auto tune it and when it comes back on I am still busy doing other things and it’s on low so I end up not catching any of them shows lol I do enjoy watching the reality ones they make me laugh at how much of a clue that they don’t really have on life or again to get color ideas for the home..So I may have it on but hardly pay attention to it unless it is one day that I am not doing anything like a me day lol….
    Don’t sweat the little things I am working on that and I am a high stressed person for the most part even my Doctor’s tell me I need to relax well when you are in my shoes and disabled and taking care of my dad and have been living in his home for 6 years trying to get him better all the while neglecting my own health to a point and while doing household bills for 3 loved ones and keeping everything up to date and taking dad to all his appointments Yeah I am stressed lol..
    I live in the country to I am most happy out here…
    except I can’t get out in the sun or heat things like that due to my Lupus and other health issues but I do soak it up through my eyes and the air and try to take it in other ways to enjoy it like sitting on the porch on the swing just to have “me time” I am also working on that “me time” since I have very little if any at most times..This is a must and a work in progress since I do have many things that I enjoy making blankets, different crafts and reading here at dad home I get my magazines at least they take me away for a few and it’s part of me time..as I believe that is so important …
    OK so I have wrote you a book ..I am long winded lol..
    I hope to hear more from you and I find your blog very helpful and with such great information I followed your blog due to this…
    Again thank you for the visit and hope you visit more often.. I have loved what I have seen so a definitely follow..
    Suzette

    Liked by 6 people

  34. Candy says:

    Wonderful advice. I just spent a beautiful day on Fire Island, on a windy, sunny day and realized I worry too much about the little things, like my niece’s bacon blowing away in the wind. Finally, I relaxed and enjoyed the sun and wind and choppy water.

    Liked by 5 people

  35. Quirky Books says:

    Hi, I think this is good advice and I relate to a lot of what you are saying and when I get home to do more work, it’s better if I switch my phone and/or tablet off to get work done in bulk. Being quirky, I don’t actually like nature as such, it doesn’t feel good for me. I like to reconnect with my inner being by taking time out for me. I like it when I take some time out to watch a movie and chill or do my writing – my writing is my therapy and life, I am like a completely different person when I write, I love it and I love life all the more.

    Focusing on the present can be a good thing, but it can also be better to focus on the future sometimes, especially if you envisage and visualise all the good stuff that is to come. Recently I was in the present and the present was turmoil, when I began to think more positively again about life and the future, my future came closer to me to be in the present moment. (this may be a good blog post for me to write one day). Thinking myself back to when I was in that present moment, was not good. I am glad to be in this present moment. I am working on my big dreams all the time for my future, but I am also very happy right now, with my gorgeous compact and cosy rented home and my quirky teenager lifestyle I will always love and have, and my day job.

    I am a city girl and was very unhappy living in the countryside years ago.

    Sandra

    Liked by 5 people

  41. itsworthediting says:

    Hi dear. Now I like that advice, especially escaping the city and going to nature. When I get somewhere serene, like the sands of the beach or a little forest path to wander down, I can truly sort things out. Thanks again.

    Liked by 3 people

  43. ownescape says:

    These tips are so applicable to life right now. The school year is starting back and time seems to fly and the lists of to-dos seem to get longer! Thanks for the insight!

    Liked by 4 people

  48. paulkensettblog says:

    I agree with so much of this and especially getting into nature and visiting technology – I can really relate to looking at a box within a box ! thanks for this

    Liked by 3 people

  50. geminilvr says:

    Great advice Eric, #2 is so very important. I was in a relationship where his phone and checking facebook, instagram, etc. was his true love and drove a wedge between us

    Liked by 1 person

  52. Prachi says:

    Love it. (And I just published a post about how painfully slow time passes by sometimes!)
    There are no accidents in the universe. 🙂 Thank you for your words!

    Liked by 1 person

  53. Kevin Baum says:

    I’ve also found that having things on the calendar to look forward to (trips, time with friends or family) help to slow down time. Remember being a kid? Christmas and birthdays “never” came – we spent all of our time longing for and looking forward to those kind of events. Time stood still.

    Liked by 1 person

  54. myhearinglossstory says:

    Very refreshing read! Thanks for sharing Eric 🙂 I particularly like the point made about nature. I love going to the countryside and breathing the fresh air. It really helps me to appreciate the moment and disconnect from my worries 🙂 Have a lovely weekend – Carly

    Liked by 1 person

    • MakeItUltra™ says:
      Author

      I do the same 😀 I enjoy running and being outdoors! Actually I am on my way out for a run! Have a wonderful weekend Carly ✨

      Liked by 1 person

  56. theblissfulword says:

    Your insights are very well put, you touch on subjects that, if us as human beings shed our light of consciousness on I feel a great change in our society and social structure would inevitable the place. Thank you for sharing such a heart post, we must awaken and rise into a unified human body. You are definitely an agent for positive change, thank you for sharing

    Liked by 1 person

  59. maryannniemczura says:

    Nature is a healing power for the spirit and soul. I compose poetry as I walk along our lake and take photos. I can feel stress escape from my body. As a retiree now, every day is a Saturday. Choosing my own activities such as singing in several local chorales is also healing. Music is food for the soul. Such a nice visit today. Thank you.

    Liked by 1 person

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