In the past week, I have opened the refrigerator to put my keys away, opened a kitchen drawer in hopes of finding a bottle of whiskey, used conditioner on my face instead of facial cleanser in the shower, and actually dreamt I put my laundry down the garbage disposal.

Perhaps I am distracted? Yeesh. From twitter, email, rss feeds, to blogs, phone calls, and short attention spans, there’s always something that needs (or attracts) attention.

How many times have you caught yourself taking the last bite of a meal and immediately clearing the table—while you’re still chewing?

I did this last week and realized it was time to slow down. I’m a multi-tasker (and in general, a really good one), yet I know there are times when I can multi-task and times when it’s important to be in the moment and not only taste that last bite, but really experience it. I want to pay attention and savor to the spices, flavors and textures mingling together on my tongue.

It’s so easy to forget to slow down. I often miss key pieces of information because I’ve glanced down at my phone, skimming a tweet, while in conversation with someone else. And I have no idea what either person said. 

Life is too short to sacrifice quality for quantity. Moments are fleeting and if we can’t enjoy them at the time, what is it we’re enjoying? Or are we? 

This week I’m going to slow down. I want to be aware of connections and make eye contact with those I’m interacting with. I want to listen to their words (and hear them) and not be thinking of how I’m going to respond to the thing they’re saying that I’m not really listening to. I’m not going to worry so much what so-and-so might be saying on twitter, or what I need at the store, or what I will be doing later that evening.

This week I’m going to breathe and focus. I’m going to pay attention to others. And I’m going to slow down.

Now where did I put my keys?