Season of Self: Slowing Down as an Act of Liberation
Reclaim your time, presence, and power by transforming everyday moments into acts of mindfulness and resistance
Introduction: Waking With Intention
This morning, I woke up around 4:22 a.m., the house still and silent, the world outside not yet stirring. It’s a time I’ve come to cherish—not because I have to be awake but because I get to be awake. The early hours give me so much space to be present with myself, to move through my morning intentionally, to process the thoughts sitting on my chest before the day begins.
As I moved slowly through my routine—pouring tea, stretching my body, jotting down a few words—I thought about something I often say to my children: “Be mindful.” It’s a phrase I use instead of the more common “Be careful.” For me, mindfulness isn’t just about caution; it’s about presence. It’s about noticing the world around you and your place in it, being attuned to your movements, your breath, your thoughts.
This practice of mindfulness has become a quiet rebellion in my life—a way to slow down in a world that demands I move faster. Supremacy culture thrives on speed, urgency, and mindlessness, keeping us disconnected from ourselves and each other. But when we slow down and reframe the so-called “mindless” tasks of our day, we find a powerful way to reconnect.
Slowing Down as Resistance
Supremacy culture wants us to rush. It wants us to move so quickly that we don’t have time to question its demands, its harm, or its toll on our bodies and spirits. It thrives on urgency, pushing us to multitask, overwork, and run ourselves into exhaustion.
Slowing down disrupts these systems. It invites us to reclaim our time, our presence, and our humanity. It reminds us that we don’t have to live at the breakneck pace the world demands.
Slowing down doesn’t mean stopping entirely; it’s about shifting how we engage with life. It’s about savoring moments, even in the midst of busyness. It’s about noticing the texture of a task, the rhythm of a routine, the beauty in what might otherwise seem mundane.
As I’m writing this, the music playing is keeping my tempo and rhythm, reminding me to breathe deeply into my chest, type with intention, and be here in this very moment. The early morning hours are lovely for me because they come before the world’s demands interrupt. That is what supremacy culture, capitalism, and systems of oppression have given us: disruption.
These systems disrupt our self-view, our communities, our homes, and our connections with others. They interrupt our ability to move at our own pace, to feel our own rhythms, to live in harmony with ourselves. When we take small moments to be mindful, to be present, we are resisting a culture that wants us to exist simply for its profit and requires us to be dull to our own senses.
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Slowing Down as Resistance
Supremacy culture wants us to rush. It wants us to move so quickly that we don’t have time to question its demands, its harm, or its toll on our bodies and spirits. It thrives on urgency, pushing us to multitask, overwork, and run ourselves into exhaustion.
Slowing down disrupts these systems. It invites us to reclaim our time, our presence, and our humanity. It reminds us that we don’t have to live at the breakneck pace the world demands.
Slowing down doesn’t mean stopping entirely; it’s about shifting how we engage with life. It’s about savoring moments, even in the midst of busyness. It’s about noticing the texture of a task, the rhythm of a routine, the beauty in what might otherwise seem mundane.
As I’m writing this, the music playing is keeping my tempo and rhythm, reminding me to breathe deeply into my chest, type with intention, and be here in this very moment. The early morning hours are lovely for me because they come before the world’s demands interrupt. That is what supremacy culture, capitalism, and systems of oppression have given us: disruption.
These systems disrupt our self-view, our communities, our homes, and our connections with others. They interrupt our ability to move at our own pace, to feel our own rhythms, to live in harmony with ourselves. When we take small moments to be mindful, to be present, we are resisting a culture that wants us to exist simply for its profit and requires us to be dull to our own senses.
Reframing Mindless Chores Into Mindful Moments
So much of our day is filled with tasks we consider “mindless”—washing dishes, folding laundry, driving from one place to the next. But what if we approached these moments differently? Not every time (because let’s be real, some mindLESSness is also good), but some of the time. What if we turned them into opportunities for mindfulness? Small moments to be intentional, to breathe deeper, to feel into our bodies—not in pain or acute awareness, but simply for orientation and existence.
Occasionally, when I’m washing dishes, I let myself feel the warmth of the water, the smoothness of the bowls in my hands. I breathe deeply and let the task become a grounding ritual rather than a chore.
When I drive my children to school, I take the time to listen to the sound of their voices, the cadence of their excitement or complaints, the way the world looks through their eyes. Yesterday, on our way to the movies, Morrigan, my 5-year-old, declared, “Spider webs don’t come out of spiders’ butts.” It was a very matter-of-fact statement, and all I could do was chuckle at how absurd yet delightful this moment was. It’s amazing to be part of these little wrinkles forming in her newly developing brain.
These moments aren’t about productivity or efficiency. They’re about being present. They’re about finding meaning in the mundane.
We are often pushed to strive for more, for greater (that’s the quantity-over-quality pillar), and to never settle. But what if simple was enough? What if I am okay in my little 3-bedroom, 1-bathroom, 1,000-square-foot home that’s covered from head to toe in memories, pictures, and moments? What if this is the perfect life for me? What if this is the perfect life for you?
These are the things I think about when I make space for mindful moments.
Let me be clear: I’m not saying you need to carve out an hour from an already stretched day or sign up for a class you can’t afford or feel is a luxury. I’m saying you are worthy of creating moments within the life you’re already living. You can make the mundane extraordinary with intention.
Practical Ways to Slow Down and Cultivate Mindfulness
Here are some ways to bring slowness and mindfulness into your daily life—small, actionable steps that feel attainable even amidst the demands of your day:
Morning Presence:
Start your day without rushing. Brew your tea or coffee, feel the warmth in your hands, and take a moment to simply exist. You don’t need to plan the day ahead or organize your to-do list—just be. If mornings are chaotic, even pausing for a deep breath or watching the sun peek through the window counts as presence.
Mindful Chores:
Turn one daily task into a ritual. Washing dishes can become a moment to feel the warmth of the water and the smooth rhythm of movement. Folding clothes can be a quiet time to reflect on the stories those clothes hold—where you wore them, the memories tied to them.
Pause to Breathe:
Sprinkle mindful breaths into your day, especially during moments of stress or transition. While waiting at a stoplight, stirring a pot, or even brushing your teeth, take a deep breath: inhale for four counts, hold for four, exhale for four. Let that breath remind you that you’re here, alive, and whole.
Walk Slowly:
Whether you’re walking through your home, down the street, or in a park, slow your pace. Feel your feet connect with the ground, notice the way the air feels on your skin, and listen to the sounds around you. Slowing down doesn’t mean doing less; it means being more present.
Practice Gratitude:
Instead of rushing through your day, find small moments to acknowledge what brings you joy or peace. A kind word from someone you love, the sound of laughter, or the comfort of your favorite chair—all of these are reminders of the abundance in your life.
Dismantling Supremacy Culture Through Mindfulness
Slowing down isn’t just a personal act—it’s a collective rebellion against systems designed to exploit us. By intentionally slowing down, we challenge the pillars of supremacy culture:
Urgency:
Moving intentionally disrupts the need to constantly rush and allows space for thoughtful, intentional action.
Actionable Step: Say no to unnecessary demands on your time. Give yourself permission to take longer than expected—whether in responding to an email or finishing a task.Scarcity:
When we pause, we reject the lie that there isn’t enough time, space, or love to go around. Mindfulness reminds us that there is enough.
Actionable Step: Look for abundance in your day—a full meal, a kind gesture, or even an extra five minutes to yourself.Individualism:
Supremacy culture isolates us, making us believe we’re meant to go it alone. Mindfulness creates space for connection—with ourselves, our communities, and the earth.
Actionable Step: Share a moment of rest or mindfulness with someone else, even if it’s just sitting together in silence.Perfectionism:
Slowing down allows us to embrace imperfection, recognizing that wholeness isn’t about doing everything right but about showing up as we are.
Actionable Step: Let go of one task on your to-do list today. Choose to rest instead.
Reflection Prompts
Where in your life are you moving too quickly, and why?
What moments of your day could you turn into opportunities for mindfulness?
How does it feel to slow down in a task you normally rush through?
When was the last time you embraced imperfection, and how did it feel?
A Vision of Slowness and Liberation
Imagine a world where slowness wasn’t viewed as laziness but as wisdom. Where mornings began with presence instead of panic, and evenings ended with gratitude instead of exhaustion. Where slowness wasn’t something we had to fight for but something baked into the way we live, work, and connect.
Slowing down isn’t about doing less; it’s about living more fully. It’s about reclaiming the time, energy, and connection that systems of harm try to steal from us. It’s about stepping into a rhythm that honors our humanity and allows us to dream, heal, and thrive.
Together, let’s practice slowing down—not as indulgence, but as a reclamation of our power. The grind isn’t your purpose; liberation is.
In solidarity and liberation,
Desireé B. Stephens CPS-P
Educator | Counselor | Community Builder
Founder, Make Shi(f)t Happen
One of my favorite posts - saving it to review and remind myself. Thank you!