Ann Kroeker, Writing Coach

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February 19, 2011 25 Comments

Slow-Down Fast & Simplify: Silence & Solitude

On a day when I’m considering how to simplify, you might wonder why I have not just one blog button but two in place.

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I’m inviting you to join me as I embark on a “Slow-Down Fast”: a season dedicated to humbly and boldly simplifying and slowing (schedule, habits, activities, thought-patterns) in order to experience a more focused and intimate relationship with God in my everyday life.The “fast” will begin Ash Wednesday, March 9, and end on Easter Sunday.I’ll be preparing and planning for the next two weeks, publishing Slow-Down Fast posts on Saturdays in conjunction with Cheryl’s Simplify theme. To participate in Cheryl’s Simplify “carnival,” pop over to Culture Smith after writing and publishing something about simplifying your life. She’s got a linky up already for today.You can also link up ideas for your own “Slow-Down Fast” here:

Ann’s Personal Slow Notes:

I fill the tea kettle. Dishwasher sloshes, dryer whirrs, both machines working in the background as I sit to think, to write, to pray.It hits me: How rare to be alone.As a part-time freelance writer and editor, I work from home. I’m also, however, a home educator; thus, many hours are devoted to planning and guiding my children’s academic requirements; holding them accountable to assignments; helping them manage their time; listening to them practice piano, flute or saxophone; preparing breakfast, lunch and dinner; holding them to their chores and inspecting their work.Though this lifestyle may sound complicated, most of the time it is relatively simple.But it is a peopled life. As I said, I’m rarely alone in the house.On most days, I manage to carve out a few minutes for myself, slipping away to a quiet spot in the context of a full house. Some mornings I exercise in the basement on a stair-climbing machine; I try to read, pray and journal at the table before the kids come down for breakfast.But sometimes I just want the whole house to myself.Sometimes I want to sit at my desk—which is situated in the middle of a high-traffic area because we have no extra rooms for an office—and know that I’m not going to be interrupted. I’d like to finish composing a blog post or retreat message without the pounding of piano keys working out a tough solo a mere two-and-a-half feet from where I sit.I flourish in the simplicity of silence and solitude.Though this is no sacrifice on my part, I’m going to ask my husband if he can help me find a way to have regular time alone in the house during my slow-down fast.And I’m going to bask in it now.How will you slow down or simplify?

Filed Under: Not So Fast, simplicity, Slow Movement, Slow-Down Fast, slowing

Comments

  1. Megan Willome says

    February 19, 2011 at 1:01 pm

    I don’t know how you do it! I’ve been agonizing over how to continue my freelance job while the kids are home this summer. They sat me down and had an intervention with me last August.

    Reply
    • annkroeker says

      February 22, 2011 at 5:05 pm

      An intervention! 🙂

      I think my husband is fairly good at seeing me hit my limits. I can’t do a lot of extra work right now, but the ongoing basic writing and editing is paced well. Knowing limits is critical, however, and I can start to feel it, like a shimmy in an unbalanced car that’s going too fast on the Interstate. That’s when I need my own intervention!

      Reply
  2. Cassandra Frear says

    February 19, 2011 at 1:40 pm

    Awesome! Between you and Cheryl, you are gonna have me hooked and reeled in.

    Reply
    • annkroeker says

      February 22, 2011 at 5:05 pm

      Let’s do it!

      Reply
  3. Linda says

    February 19, 2011 at 5:03 pm

    I’m so drawn to this Ann. My word for this year is “quiet,” and simplify and slow down are wonderful companions. I have an empty nest. That means that the children are gone, but I have my sweet hubby here with me all. the. time. Alone time is a rare commodity. I do a little happy dance on the rare occasion I find myself at home alone. For now I will just “listen” to what others have to say. Then I’d like to take part!

    Reply
    • annkroeker says

      February 22, 2011 at 5:06 pm

      You are such a good listener, but you have much wisdom to share, as well, so please don’t hold back when you have a thought. And do enjoy every quiet, slow, alone moment you get!

      Reply
  4. Cheryl Smith says

    February 19, 2011 at 8:51 pm

    I’m extremely extroverted, but I’ve surprised myself lately by how much I crave time alone. Between Christmas Eve and MLKing day, I was in a house full of people and I nearly went insane. I exhaled a deep cleansing breath when the last child was on the school bus and Peter was off to work.

    My biggest challenge is wisely using the time I have to spend intentionally with God, and making it a priority on weekends and holidays. I’ll be watching these posts with great interest. 🙂

    Reply
    • annkroeker says

      February 22, 2011 at 5:08 pm

      I find that spending my time alone with the Lord is hardest when on a family vacation. We usually camp or visit family, neither scenario lending itself to convenient solitude. I have to really make it happen!

      And I’ll be watching your journey for as long as it takes for you to find the right level of simplicity.

      Reply
  5. Janis@Open My Ears Lord says

    February 19, 2011 at 10:53 pm

    I’ve started a Bible Study on “Simplicity” by Cynthia Heald. But here’s the kicker. I have been so busy or tired that I have attended only one session. I think it would be a good idea for me to follow through with this commitment as part of my slow-down fast.
    Using time wisely is also important.
    And, I’ll probably have to consider how to make better use of computer and blogging time. What is necessary? And what is not?
    Lots to ponder.
    Janis

    Reply
    • annkroeker says

      February 22, 2011 at 5:09 pm

      A friend of mine was just reminding me of that book, and I don’t have a copy. Excuse me while I log on to Amazon.com and get one!

      Oh, and good questions you pose, Janis, that we can all ask ourselves.

      Reply
  6. Amy Sullivan says

    February 19, 2011 at 11:02 pm

    Ann,
    Linked up this morning at Cheryl’s, but only now getting time to read!

    How fun that this subject seems to be on the minds of so many. Sometimes I get so frustrated with myself, why can’t I just slow down? Sure, some of the busyness I feel is just life of a working mom with young kids, but sometimes my busyness is self-induced.

    How will I simplify? Not booking up my calendar.

    Reply
    • annkroeker says

      February 22, 2011 at 5:10 pm

      Simpler schedule, simpler life. It’s simple. But not. 🙂

      Reply
  7. Jennifer@GDWJ says

    February 19, 2011 at 11:55 pm

    Wow! Two of my favorite people helping me to slow down!!

    How am I slowing down, you ask? Well, for starters, I have been re-reading your “Not So Fast” book this month. I read your book about a year ago, but I read it, … well … too FAST.

    This has been an incredibly busy two months for me, but I have intentionally been trying to keep the pace slower. For instance, I draw a bath every night, and then take your book while I soak. It may seem like a small thing, but it has been incredibly soothing.

    Reply
    • annkroeker says

      February 22, 2011 at 5:11 pm

      I have to revisit my own principles as I enter new life stages and find that my situation has evolved in some way. For example, I now have a daughter who drives. This opens up my life and schedule in some ways, and complicates it in others. So I come back to the topic again and again.

      Reply
  8. Laura says

    February 20, 2011 at 3:46 pm

    You and Cheryl are inspiring me to slow down in small ways. Amazing to me how these little things make such a difference. I’m trying to BE where I am…not rushing forward in my mind to the next thing. It is a busy season, and like you, I treasure quiet moments alone. Working hard to treasure all the moments!

    Reply
    • annkroeker says

      February 22, 2011 at 5:12 pm

      Treasure the moments…one thousand+ moments. 🙂

      Reply
  9. JoDee Luna says

    February 20, 2011 at 10:45 pm

    I enjoyed your post and related on so many levels. Although I’m in my empty nest season of life, I teach middle school students who fill my empty spaces with endless chatter. I admire your devotion to educating your children.

    I find my quiet place very early in the morning. My husband gets up at 4:45 am to get ready for work so I slither out of bed and begin writing then. I enjoy devotional time then as well. I also related with Cheryl in terms of my usual extroverted personality craving serenity and alone time. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

    Reply
    • annkroeker says

      February 22, 2011 at 5:13 pm

      Thanks for taking time to post…and I must say I’m impressed with your early morning devotional time! That’s a great solution for someone who is able to function as a morning person. Several of my friends are early risers, as well.

      Reply
  10. deidra says

    February 21, 2011 at 4:23 pm

    I thought I was the only one typing away at a corner desk in the middle of it all. I feel your pain, my friend. I feel it!

    Amy’s right. I’m seeing this topic in many places this year. It’s been a topic of conversation at our dinner table on a few different nights. We’re taking stock and praying about what a person really “needs” to make it in this life. I think it’s an easier list to make alone than in partnership with someone else. But the goal – as we say around here – is to “slow your roll.”

    Reply
    • annkroeker says

      February 22, 2011 at 5:14 pm

      I’m sitting here now, having endured several piano practice sessions in my ear.

      Love that phrase, “slow your roll.” Or is it, “slow your role”? Now I’m starting to chew on it in a different way.

      Reply
  11. Hazel I. Moon says

    February 21, 2011 at 6:34 pm

    My computer is in a corner of my kitchen, but my husband allows me quiet time while I write or do e-mail. When the children were at home, I found my quiet place in the bathroom. With the door locked, I could read my Bible, and Christian magazines.

    I am reminded of Susannah Wesley, the mother of Charles and John Wesley, with her 19 active children. Even with all the commotion of her daily life, she seldom gave the Lord less than a full hour for prayer. At her time of prayer, she would take her apron up and pull it over her face. Her children were instructed never to disturb their mother when she was praying in her apron. The apron was her “Secret Place!”

    If we have a problem finding a secret place, we must invent one. That is what Susannah did. I do it all the time.

    Reply
    • annkroeker says

      February 22, 2011 at 5:16 pm

      Ah, yes, Susannah has inspired many a housewife/mom with her apron-covered prayer time! Thanks for reminding me of her creative solutions–you offer good words to invent a secret place if we can’t readily find one! That’s what I do when the house is peopled. I can usually find a nook. My kids make some pretty impressive forts in the living room with sheets and clothespins stuck all around. Maybe we should consider making prayer forts?

      Reply
  12. Susan DiMickele says

    February 22, 2011 at 11:14 am

    This slow down fast has me thinking. It even has me inspired. I am not slow by nature — but I’ve been asking God to show me something fresh for Lent this year. Could this be it??!!

    Reply
    • annkroeker says

      February 22, 2011 at 5:16 pm

      Susan, I would be honored to share this slow-down fast with you, if that’s how the Lord leads.

      Reply
  13. Dena Dyer says

    February 24, 2011 at 5:02 pm

    Slow Down Fast–I love just the title. And since I’ve begun working full-time, I need, more than ever, to do just that…every chance I get. Thanks for the reminder and the motivation!

    Reply

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