Why Patience Matters
I’m not one to sit still for long. I love moving, doing, creating, exercising, and getting out into the world. But recently, life gave me no choice but to slow down.
A few weeks ago, I had an operation and the recovery instructions were: no driving for two weeks and no exercise for six. As soon as I heard that news, I felt frustrated, and the list of things I had to do weighed heavily on my mind. The weather has been so cold and wet, with torrential rain every day, so even a walk outside wasn’t appealing.
I’ve felt cooped up. My mood has been very flat, and there’s a restless part of me that just wants to do something. But this experience has been teaching me something powerful – something I often talk about with my clients, but now I’m truly living it.
It’s called patience.
Why Patience Is So Hard for Some Women (including me)
We live in a world driven by goals, achievement, and productivity. It’s easy to tie our sense of self-worth to what we’re doing – the boxes we tick, the milestones we reach, the results we produce. I know this to be true for me. So I’ve had to take a long, hard look at my life and the learnings are profound
There’s a quieter truth that we often forget: we are more than our accomplishments. We don’t have to earn our worth by being constantly in motion. The lesson for me right now is not to do more, but to learn how to simply be.
I’ve discovered that patience isn’t just about waiting- it’s about how you wait. It’s the ability to trust the process, even when you can’t see the finish line. It’s choosing to believe that slowing down doesn’t mean falling behind, (a tough one for me) it means gathering strength for what’s next.
What I’m Doing to Practice Patience During Recovery
Here’s what’s helping me right now, and maybe it will help you too when life forces you to slow down:
- Create a gentle daily rhythm. I can’t fill my days with my usual activities, but I can create a comforting structure – I love my morning coffee, I set aside reading time, I’m learning to crochet and Im making an effort to have a phone call with a friend.
- Find joy in small things
I’ve been watching the rain bounce outside the window, listening to soft music, noticing how soft my blanket feels. Little moments of mindfulness remind me there’s beauty in the pause. - Practice mindful breathing
I love the teachings of Wim Hoff and have made time to stop and take a few slow, deep breaths, especially when frustration builds. It’s amazing how quickly it shifts my mood. - Reframe ‘doing nothing’ as ‘healing’
I found this change in mindset really helpful. I gave myself permission to relax and no longer see resting as wasted time, it’s my body’s full-time job right now. I’m choosing to see it as productive in its own way. - Connect in new ways
I invited friends to visit me and found that a quick cuppa has led to a deep, meaningful conversation still going 3 hours later.
The Benefits of Patience and Slowing Down
Now in week 3 I’m starting to notice some unexpected gifts in this enforced pause:
- Clarity – Without rushing around, I have more space to think and reflect.
- Gratitude – I notice the little things I used to overlook and there is so much to be grateful for.
- Self-compassion – I’m learning to speak to myself more gently, embrace self care and just be.
- Resilience – I’ve come to realise that patience is like a muscle; the more you practice it, the stronger it gets.
A Loving Reminder for You
If you’re in a season where life has slowed down, whether by choice or circumstance, please know this: You are not falling behind. You are exactly where you need to be. Trust the timing. Let patience work its quiet magic.
Sometimes, the pause is the progress.
And when the time comes for us to move forward again, we’ll be stronger, clearer, and more ready than ever.
If you’d like one-on-one support to start your patience practice book in a time with me for a free chat.
If you’ve already started learning the art of patience, I’d love to hear from you, share in the comments below what small moments you are noticing today.
You may also enjoy this blog How to stay grounded in an uncertain world.
