Running out of time is a habit we all have in common. Yes, we rush around every day with the feeling that we’re running out of time. That’s why we often end our days exhausted and irritable. So how can we regain time and serenity? Here are 9 secrets on how to simplify and slow down your day-to-day life.

1 – To stop running out of time, learn to delegate

We tend to think of ourselves as indispensable, and this leads us to multitask. In fact, we take charge of all the activities around the house, without realizing that all this pressure leads us to grumble more and more.

What if this was the signal to delegate?

In fact, rather than trying to do everything, what if we taught those around us what to do?

Yes, our perfectionist side and our desire to control everything will be challenged, but it’s for our own good (laughs).

So let’s arm ourselves with patience and explain to our children how to do the dishes, fold their laundry… And if we haven’t already done so, let’s show our partner how to do it too.

There are a few rules to follow:

Don’t criticize
Don’t do things after them. In fact, it’s much better not to be behind them at all while they’re doing things.
Re-explain as many times as necessary
Greet each new development with a smile and a hug.
And… TAKE ADVANTAGE of this new free time to do what makes us happy.
Yes, stopping chasing time will require us to get the whole family involved!

2 – Make our purchases more conscientious

When a craving arises in us, what if we wrote it down somewhere?

Yes, rather than rushing to the store or online to satisfy our craving, what if we gave ourselves some time?

These days, we want everything and everything right away. Unfortunately, this habit is a source of stress, fatigue and debt. We waste our time and money on desires that don’t always give us pleasure.

That’s why, before we buy, let’s ask ourselves a few questions:

Do I really want this thing? Why do I want it?
Is it to please me, or is it just to please others?
What’s more, let’s commit to waiting a certain amount of time before each purchase. We have a desire, we write it down and we wait at least a week, for example.

Nietzsche said:

“The value of a thing sometimes lies not in what one attains with it, but in what one pays for it – what it costs us.”

In other words, we can convert the value of things into the time we need to afford them.

Indeed, if we need to work for 1 month to afford a vacation, maybe we could enjoy it more.

So get into the habit of converting some of your expenses, either to avoid them because they’re not worth it, or to enjoy them more.

Yes, to stop chasing time is also to become aware of its value and the way we use it.

3 – Listen more to yourself to stop chasing time

This is for perfectionists, for those who want everything right away, for those who spare no effort to the point of exhaustion. There are many of us like that. (laughs)

What if, when we start to have doubts about our stress levels and our health, we asked ourselves a question to help us make the right choice: should I carry on or take a rest?

We can ask ourselves this other question:

“What would I advise a friend doing what I’m doing right now, in exactly the same conditions, at the same speed and in the same state of stress?”

I invite you to write this question on a post-it note in your diary and read it every day, so that it comes to your rescue when you need it most.

Because moving forward in life is important, but burning out is not the answer. We’re not here to give our all every day, we’re here to do the best we can within our physical and psychological limits.

That’s why, when we stop running out of time, we learn to listen to and respect ourselves.

4 – Return to the present moment and slow down

We often rush from one activity to the next, without even taking a full breath. In fact, we’re constantly juggling, and that’s why we don’t savor the passing of time.

What if, between each task, each activity, we took 2 to 5 minutes to come back to the present moment?

Here’s a simple but powerful technique for getting back to the present moment:

Breathe calmly and deeply, once, then twice.
Describe what we’re doing: I’m taking the time to pause because I’ve decided to savour the time I’ve been given…
Let’s describe what’s happening in our 5 senses: I smell, I see, I touch, I taste and I hear…
This technique can be used at any time to reduce stress, wait for calm, or simply enjoy the present moment.

Because to stop chasing time is to live in the present moment, at least from time to time.

5 – Make the most of your vacation by taking time to enjoy life

These days, vacations are an opportunity to go to the other side of the world and do as many things as possible in record time. The result: we come back even more exhausted.

But what if vacations could be something else? What if we could tell our colleagues and colleagues around us that we’d taken advantage of our vacations to take time to live and refocus?

Yes, vacations are an ideal time to refocus on who we’ve become. After all, every day we change without realizing it.

So let’s take advantage of the vacations to take stock of :

what we like and dislike
how we feel
and, what we want
Yes, to stop running after time is to stop getting restless and take stock of who we are and where we’re going.

6 – To stop chasing time is to calm down your day-to-day life.

We have the annoying habit of putting conditions on our happiness. I’ll be happy when I have or when I am… In other words, we’ll be happy “later”.

But when is “later”? Is there such a thing as “later”?

In fact, our life is now, and our happiness lies in the here and now. And it depends on what you do in the moment and how you do things. No more, no less.

“You are responsible for the satisfaction you get from your activities. Because it’s not what you have to do that’s important, but how you do it, the care and attention you give it, the questions you ask yourself, the intelligence you bring to your work. Because that, and only that, will bring you pleasure.” Dominique Chapot

That’s why ask yourself what activity you can give more attention and care to.

Yes, stopping running out of time will require you to calm down your daily routine, to do things calmly and joyfully, not in a hurry and under stress.

7 – Remember to take short pleasure breaks

“It’s not the quantity of time that counts most, it’s the quality”.

Often, when we think of “pleasure breaks”, we think of things that are time-consuming or expensive. But there are pleasure breaks that cost nothing and take no time at all.

In fact, we imagine going to a spa and spending a relaxing afternoon. The problem is, we only take this break once a year, and then only for lack of time and money.

That’s why pleasure breaks are different, because there are more of them, and they cost next to nothing.

Here’s a list of short pleasure breaks:

We can buy 1 rose, go for a 30-minute walk in our favorite park, have a coffee on the terrace, listen to our favorite music, watch our favorite movie, call an old friend, watch a funny video and burst out laughing…

In fact, I heartily invite you to jot down at least 20 ideas for pleasure breaks on a sheet of paper.

Then, make the decision to take at least 1-2 pleasure breaks a day.

Because when you stop running out of time, you dare to take time for yourself to nourish your zest for life.

8 – Go back to childhood to simplify and slow down

When was the last time you saw a picture of yourself as a child? When was the last time you thought about yourself as a child, what you liked to do, what made you laugh, dream…?

Yes, to stop chasing time is to rediscover the child we were and let him have his say.

Do I please the child I was today? Am I fulfilling his childhood dreams and aspirations?

Would he be proud of me? Can he show me what I can do that’s even more inspiring, more vibrant?

Let’s find a picture of ourselves as a child, and take a few moments to take stock with gentleness and kindness.

9 – Disconnect regularly and calm down

What if we regularly disconnected completely from the internet and social networks? What if we allowed ourselves not to give out any news and simply enjoyed being spectators to the passing of time?

In fact, we can disconnect very easily. So do you feel ready to do it one day a week for example, or one afternoon, one morning?

Because to stop chasing time is to realize that to stop is to live even more intensely.

Find out more:

I invite you to read these 2 complementary articles:

Discover How to optimize your time for a more balanced life: 5 tips
Discover Slowing down in everyday life: 8 tips for a more serene life

I recommend this inspiring book:

The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle

In The Power of Now, Eckhart Tolle explores the concept of living in the moment and letting go of the constant pursuit of time. The book offers a profound insight into how letting go of past regrets and future anxieties can lead to a more fulfilling and peaceful life. Tolle’s teachings guide us to a state of mindfulness, emphasizing the transformative power of being fully present and stopping the relentless pursuit of time.

I can’t recommend this book highly enough, as it essentially saved my life. It’s the perfect self-help book for anyone looking to learn how to find inner peace.

Thank you very much for reading this article.

If you liked it, let me know in the comments.

Take care of yourself