The Slow-down to Change

Change begins when we notice something, when our awareness is present enough to acknowledge what is happening. This means we may need to…

-Bring the unconscious into our present moment, examine that, and really get honest about the way we feel about something.

-Figure out and sit with the overall state of our nervous system which for most people can become pretty uncomfortable especially if it’s not something you are used to practicing.

-Identify previous events that may unconsciously dictate present behavior.

Add all these things together and then we can then approach understanding why behavior happens. This is true for individuals and parents alike…and also true whether you are neurotypical or neurodivergent.

There is a reason for the reaction, a reason for behavior. Slowing down long enough to identify that and then decide if you want to challenge it is where change begins. 

You simply cannot blaze a trail forward if you don’t know where to start, you won’t make it very far if you forget to breath along the way, and you definitely will struggle to land where you intended if you neglect to take the time to create the vision and path forward. Here’s your reminder to take a minute to figure out where you are in the journey, reassess what doesn’t make sense, and lean into the moment.

And remember, when you define a problem, identify a challenge, become aware of an obstacle…and you are already on your way to a solution. It’s really difficult to change something without awareness and when change happens, it can be really important to uncover what internal and external factors keep you stuck, help you move forward, or are impossible to shift. Once awareness of this hits, if change is what you want to see, then you also need to keep moving forward and pair action with that identification.

Bottom line…sometimes change requires slowing down, a lot of getting really uncomfortable with introspection, and then some continued discomfort as you move forward approaching that change. Small steps…big impact…and slow, granular understanding and awareness will get you there when you apply that with action.