How to Savour the Final Months of the Year, Reflect on Accomplishments, and Avoid Getting Swept into Seasonal Time-Lapse Panic

Welcome to my very first HWBL newsletter.Let's make well-being a priority everyday.

This morning, as my son and I were discussing his early weariness of Halloween (even though it's still on the horizon), we couldn't help but notice how stores are in a bit of a rush. They're displaying both Halloween and Christmas decorations side by side. It all made me feel like we're fast-forwarding to Christmas, and Halloween hasn't even arrived yet.

Now, as the final months of 2023 approach, perhaps it's not time passing swiftly; but our society's collective rush towards the future? This acceleration can make us overlook the importance of cherishing the present and reflecting on the journey we've each undertaken.

The "Time-lapse panic" is a phrase I've literally just made up to describe that feeling when everything around you seems to be hurtling you into a future date you might not be ready for. It's the sensation that the world is rushing ahead, with images, products, and content relentlessly pushing you to focus on events and milestones that you feel are still in the distance. In essence, it's that moment when you realise the calendar pages are flipping too quickly, and you're not sure if you're fully prepared for what lies ahead.

That’s happening to me. Is that happening to you??

And then, I had a realisation. Maybe it isn't time itself that's accelerating, but rather the relentless marketing push that propels us ever forward, always looking ahead and rarely pausing to be fully present. It often feels like it's all for the sake of commerce, constantly urging us to focus on the next big thing. And even though I've immersed myself in Ekhart Tolle's "The Power of Now" through about ten audio readings, I still find myself occasionally slipping into what he aptly describes as 'psychological time.' That will be another post.

This year has been a much better ride for me than 2022. I set ambitious goals at the beginning of the year, and while I may not have achieved all of them, I've made significant strides in my career and personal life and more to come.

It's crucial, in these moments, to take a step back and appreciate our accomplishments, no matter how small they may seem. Each success, every milestone, is a testament to our growth and resilience. It's easy to focus on what's still ahead, but we should also celebrate what we've achieved thus far.

While I was in the midst of writing this article, I decided to conduct a quick WhatsApp poll with some of my closest friends. Here's five different suggestions (leaving out the more offbeat ideas) we came up with to combat the time-lapse panic.

• No brain content:? Embrace short, fun breaks, like watching tik tok cat videos?
• Reversal to do list: Create a list with unaccomplished tasks, add whimsical ones for lightheartedness.
• Time Travel Day: Designate a day for nostalgic experiences, fancy up, themed or retro dinner parties with themed music and? snacks.
• Slow-Mo Challenge: Who can do the least tasks in the most amount of time??
• Time Machine Dance off: Best performed in the kitchen, whilst cooking, music to dance through time to, dialling back or fast-forwarding for fun.

In the midst of it all, remember one of the most important lessons: don't take everything too seriously. Embrace the whimsy, dance with time, and find joy in the journey. Here's to savouring the final months of the year with a lighthearted spirit!