I’m not usually one to make New Year’s resolution because I know once April rolls around that promise I made myself will be long forgotten or replaced with a better idea. However, on January 2nd, 2016 I decided to go against my norm and create a resolution for myself. (Of course I had to create an Instagram post as inspiration to make it more official because who doesn’t like public applause?)

The resolution I made, you ask? To slow down. Short and simple. Just how I like most promises.

This was easy for me to say at the time because I knew I was about to spend the next four months in Costa Rica where their life motto is slow down. (OK, it’s actually pura vida but it pretty much translates to slow down). From never knowing what would happen next to stopping in the middle of whatever was going on to check out the incredible scenery, I learned why slowing down is the key to a happy life. Plus, it made it nearly impossible to not follow my New Year’s resolution during this fifteen week vacation, I mean study abroad experience.

After being back in America for over a month now, I am starting to realize that this is when the challenge kicks in. This is when I am supposed to take what I loved in Costa Rica and apply it to what I love here in The States. But, how do I live a slow life in a culture that runs on fast food? (or Dunkin’ Donuts as some may argue). Going with the flow hoping that you make it to the bus station in time instead of having a set plan does not work as well here as it did just three months ago. How do I tell myself to slow down and enjoy everything in a world that is going 100 miles per hour?

The truth is, it can be difficult because everyone’s in a rush to get nowhere, myself included. We’re always waiting for whatever’s next, living life in fast forward, never really stopping to enjoy the moment right in front of us. We’re all so busy trying to rush through everything from high school to college and all the moments in between just because we think we need to get on with whatever we’re actually supposed to be doing with our lives.

Yes, telling yourself to slow down in a culture that is known for its fast paced lifestyle is not easy, but luckily it is not impossible. Thanks to those moments of clarity where the universe sends us that, “Wow. This is it. This is really my life” message, so we stop for a few extra minutes and take it all in. Why can’t this happen more often?

Well, it does, we’re normally just moving too fast to hear it. So, my challenge to you is to slow down for a day or even a week, heck make it a new lifestyle if you’re feeling extra slow. Go ahead and stop in the middle of running from place to place to admire the view, or take a few extra seconds to share conversation with the cashier. Life does not have to be some long awful sprint, when it should be a nicely paced marathon.

As far as I know, life is not slowing down anytime soon, so I’m just suggested to stop and enjoy those moments while you still can. Don’t worry, I believe in you.

Also, if you’re looking for some inspiration on this subject of living a slow and enjoyable life I suggest either the movie About Time or a casual trip to Costa Rica.