I really love this post for two reasons. 1. Coming off of the overstimulation of the holidays, slowing down is the natural rhythm of the winter. 2. I teach improvisation as a life skill, and the ask in all of Viola Spolin’s Theater Games is quieting the mind to access our intuitive nature. We truly experience life in real-time, young or old, when we allow the mind to still and allow bubbles of creative inspiration to flit toward our consciousness moving us into action. I’m all for stillness in January!
Wow Kerstin... I love this perspective! I need to research these theater games more, as I could really use some mind quieting… and practice with improvising life!
I appreciate your post and believe wholeheartedly in the need for unstructured playtime for children. In fact, I wrote and illustrated a picture book (Playground Day! - Clarion Books) about this very topic. The urge to keep our kids busy and stay busy ourselves is so ingrained in our culture ('Idle hands; devil's workshop' etc.) but in the rush to do more, we all miss the tiny, important details of life. Here's to a good 2026, and a January filled with the precious moments that only slowing down can bring.
Jenn, I cannot wait to check out Playground Day! I love when picture books share a digestible message for children and adults. And yes, you're so right... we all face so many pressures to stay busy, busy, busy and I think our bodies and minds really get used to that state. My kids are still totally fine saying no to plans etc, I am the one who needs to work on it! Thank you for sharing your book- can't wait to check it out💕
I so appreciated this post and the reflection questions "What happens when you slow down? What happens when you let a room, an experience, an idea unfold? How does it feel? What comes into focus? "
I tried it with an idea this week and it was uncomfortable at first (to not be able to articulate it and share it with the team right away) BUT I slowed down, let it go at the end of the day, and woke up with a much better clearer idea of what I wanted to try before pitching it to the team.
There's a huge sense of urgency around supporting a child at our school and it's been easy for me to get swept up in the emotions/ reactivity of some folks and focus on things outside of my control (for context I'm an OT brought in to support teachers and kiddos with high support needs).
Slowing down helped me focus on what is in my scope of practice and in my control. Thank you for this reminder!!
A fantastic post! The intentionality around this is important. I think the academic calendar being at odds with the seasonal one can cause a lot of difficulties. I actually wrote a post about this back in February, if of interest: https://lauraspargo.substack.com/p/slowing-down-and-gearing-up
I look forward to following the journey of the Reflection Studio!
Just read it! Thank you, Laura! You articulate so clearly the seasonal pace and rhythm so many of us experience. I too am a bit less excited about winter but trying to actually enjoy the slowness and hibernation even though I'm fighting that inner restlessness, hard!
I really love this post for two reasons. 1. Coming off of the overstimulation of the holidays, slowing down is the natural rhythm of the winter. 2. I teach improvisation as a life skill, and the ask in all of Viola Spolin’s Theater Games is quieting the mind to access our intuitive nature. We truly experience life in real-time, young or old, when we allow the mind to still and allow bubbles of creative inspiration to flit toward our consciousness moving us into action. I’m all for stillness in January!
Wow Kerstin... I love this perspective! I need to research these theater games more, as I could really use some mind quieting… and practice with improvising life!
Reach out anytime. I love talking shop.
I appreciate your post and believe wholeheartedly in the need for unstructured playtime for children. In fact, I wrote and illustrated a picture book (Playground Day! - Clarion Books) about this very topic. The urge to keep our kids busy and stay busy ourselves is so ingrained in our culture ('Idle hands; devil's workshop' etc.) but in the rush to do more, we all miss the tiny, important details of life. Here's to a good 2026, and a January filled with the precious moments that only slowing down can bring.
Jenn, I cannot wait to check out Playground Day! I love when picture books share a digestible message for children and adults. And yes, you're so right... we all face so many pressures to stay busy, busy, busy and I think our bodies and minds really get used to that state. My kids are still totally fine saying no to plans etc, I am the one who needs to work on it! Thank you for sharing your book- can't wait to check it out💕
I so appreciated this post and the reflection questions "What happens when you slow down? What happens when you let a room, an experience, an idea unfold? How does it feel? What comes into focus? "
I tried it with an idea this week and it was uncomfortable at first (to not be able to articulate it and share it with the team right away) BUT I slowed down, let it go at the end of the day, and woke up with a much better clearer idea of what I wanted to try before pitching it to the team.
There's a huge sense of urgency around supporting a child at our school and it's been easy for me to get swept up in the emotions/ reactivity of some folks and focus on things outside of my control (for context I'm an OT brought in to support teachers and kiddos with high support needs).
Slowing down helped me focus on what is in my scope of practice and in my control. Thank you for this reminder!!
Thank you for the reminder as a person who puts their worth in productivity, I need to unlearn the capitalist values we’ve been raised in.
A fantastic post! The intentionality around this is important. I think the academic calendar being at odds with the seasonal one can cause a lot of difficulties. I actually wrote a post about this back in February, if of interest: https://lauraspargo.substack.com/p/slowing-down-and-gearing-up
I look forward to following the journey of the Reflection Studio!
Just read it! Thank you, Laura! You articulate so clearly the seasonal pace and rhythm so many of us experience. I too am a bit less excited about winter but trying to actually enjoy the slowness and hibernation even though I'm fighting that inner restlessness, hard!