The world around us is a fascinating place. However, many of us are too busy to notice a lot of interesting and peculiar details. If we were to get into the habit of slowing down and taking a look around, we might enjoy our day-to-day lives far more.
That’s where the popular ‘Stranger Things in Stunning World’ Facebook group comes in. The members of this online community share some of the most impressive things that they’ve come across, from wholesome images and acts of kindness to strange events that might change your perspective.
Bored Panda got in touch with Jodi Wellman, MAPP, who shed some light on why we rush so much in life and what we can do to be more present and notice our surroundings more. Wellman is a speaker, author, and leadership coach, as well as the founder of the ‘Four Thousand Mondays’ project. You’ll find the thoughts she shared with us below.
According to Wellman, people value productivity and efficiency. This “contributes to the ‘go go go-ness’ of our days,” she told Bored Panda via email.
“But I think many of us are caught up in what’s known as an existential vacuum, which is characterized by a nagging sense of meaninglessness in life. When we’re feeling unfulfilled in life, we get pretty savvy at filling the void with manufactured busy work,” the founder of the ‘Four Thousand Mondays’ project said.
“We might want to be suspicious of the purpose task-rushing is serving for us and start connecting to a deeper sense of meaning and purpose in life.”
Wellman noted that, from her perspective, remembering that we’re all going to die can help us be more present in the here and now.
“We are temporary, finite, ‘limited time only!’ This ancient practice known as memento mori works because it’s only when we contemplate our mortality that we snap to attention and realize all we have in this momentary existence is This Moment,” she explained to Bored Panda.
“I want everyone to count their Mondays; we get about 4,000 on average, and tuning into however many we have left can open our eyes up to what matters, what’s special right here and right now.”
The members of the ‘Stranger Things in Stunning World’ community are extremely active, so there’s a constant feed of new posts for members to look through.
The Facebook group was first created back in early November 2021. Over the next two and half years, it grew to nearly 113k members in size. The team running the group is very social and encourages everyone to invite their friends to join them to “feel the difference.” They see the community as a sort of way to make the world a better place by sharing positive and interesting content.
Telling ourselves to slow down to appreciate life more is easier said than done. However, if we make the change, we potentially avoid a lot of stress. Physician Susan Biali Haas, M.D., has a range of strategies for people to try to help them stop rushing so much and slow down. She notes that the first step is becoming aware that you’re in the habit of rushing in the first place.
“When you catch yourself doing it, ask yourself if it’s really necessary. Are the extra seconds or minutes that you might gain really worth all the tension and stress?” the physician writes on Psychology Today that, most often, it’s not worth rushing about everywhere. The next step is to slow down your pace consciously.
The expert suggests taking a few deep breaths, relaxing your shoulders, and then focusing on whatever you need or want to. The key here is that you’re putting yourself in a state of relaxation instead of constantly being on high alert. “Let go of any magical ideas about time that keep you rushing around, perpetually late, scrambling, and feeling off-kilter,” Dr. Biali Haas suggests.
“Let go of any magical ideas about time that keep you rushing around, perpetually late, scrambling, and feeling off-kilter,” Dr. Biali Haas suggests.
Something that saps your energy and attention is multi-tasking. Research shows that it doesn’t really work like you hope it does, and it only scatters your focus and leaves you exhausted. Whenever you can, try to focus on a single task at a time. Fully immerse yourself in it, and then move on to the next one. If you’re doing a bit of everything, you’re only unnecessarily stretching yourself thin.
Dr. Biali Haas also urges people to focus on being present, wherever they might be and whatever they’re doing. For instance, if you’re speaking to someone, be fully engaged in the conversation. Don’t keep picking up your phone to check for emails or messages. Similarly, if you’re out for a walk, bring your attention to your surroundings instead of worrying about work and family problems.
In the meantime, it’s up to us to be on the lookout for opportunities to help others and be kind and generous. As we’ve recently written on Bored Panda, it’s through consistent action, not just our words, that we can spread kindness. Not only that, but we should all strive to lead by example. It’s one thing to tell someone they should be kinder. It’s another to embody our own values and inspire others with our actions.
Being kind and compassionate doesn’t mean that we have to move metaphorical mountains. If you’re not used to being altruistic, you should focus on tiny acts of kindness, instead of trying to do something that’s overwhelming and exhausting. For instance, smiling at someone, saying ‘hello,’ thanking them, and helping them with their luggage are all ways that you can spread kindness. If you’re ever in doubt, you can simply walk up to someone who seems to be struggling and gently ask them if they’d like a hand.
At the same time, we cannot forget to look after ourselves. We can and should be kind and generous, but we ought to prioritize our welfare first. When we’re full of energy, we’re in the best possible position to help others. That means looking after your physical and mental health by getting enough exercise and sleep, eating well, drinking plenty of water, having an active and positive social life, and finding meaning in your work.
Which of the pics in this list, as shared by the members of the ‘Stranger Things in Stunning World’ Facebook group, resonated the most with you, dear Pandas? What do you do to slow down so you can notice what’s going on around you? Do you go out of your way to be kind to others? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.
