Hypermiling-Slow Down

The first area I would like to talk about with hypermiling is slowing down. Not physically while you are in the car but even before you hit the car. This seems pretty logical but it can be hard to do. In a society where we seem to be excessively "time" crunched, we seem to always be behind schedule and late. We compete with each other on who can be the busiest and we wear that hat with pride.

Part of sustainable living is slowing down and weeding out the extras that don't enhance our lives or those of others. Take a minute today and look at your schedule. Ask yourself if each item is something that is really worth doing. Are you doing this out of obligation? Is your child overbooked and stressed out? Am I taking time to sit down as a family or spouse and share meals together? Do I have time for my family and friends? Really spend some time on these questions. You will be surprised how many of these things are really not important anymore.

I am someone who can get busy and over scheduled before I know it. I look at my activities as well as my children's and try to find a balancing point where we do things that are important but still have time for each other. We try to sit down at the table most nights of the week to eat dinner together. I am working on doing this for breakfast and lunches. I find that I spend less time in the car and more time at home with those I love.

I used to wear the busy hat with pride but then we found out our daughter has a progressive neuromuscular disease which will drastically shorten her life. Suddenly, the busyness of my life is not as nearly as important. Spending time with her and my family have taken on a much higher priority in my life. Too bad it took her illness for me to realize how important it was all along.

Spend some time today looking at your schedule and regular obligations. What can you get rid of to simplify your life and concentrate on the more important things?  Remember obligations will always be with us but loved ones will not.