On Patience: Why Magic Happens When You Slow Down

Quick decisions. Instant feedback. Same-day delivery. Nearly every part of our lives, from errands to everyday transactions, is wired for speed and instant gratification. In a world built to move fast, patience can feel like a luxury. And yet there are moments when waiting isn’t just unavoidable, but is the wiser, more powerful choice.

Sitting back without taking immediate action might not come naturally for you, but learning to embrace inaction can bring surprising rewards. This approach keeps you grounded in the present, even when the urge to push forward is strong. You have to choose it, even when waiting might feel like a waste. Forcing yourself to slow down invites intention, self-awareness, and even courage. Learning to approach life with intention is a skill that can bring clarity, wisdom, and joy. 

Creating space in a noisy world

Sometimes, having patience is as simple as making space where there was none before. So often, you can react without thinking, speak before listening, or leap before looking. In the rush to achieve or respond, you might forget that you may find clarity if you slow down and listen. In relationships, this might look like giving someone the chance to explain before you judge. With family, you could pause before slipping back into old patterns of interaction. At work, perhaps you take time to grow in your current role rather than racing to the next promotion.

Of course, not every situation calls for tempering your response. When injustice occurs and a wrong must be righted, swift action is necessary. Still, a measured, rather than reactionary, approach almost always produces a deeper, more enduring impact. The responsibility to choose is yours.

Enjoying the journey

When you focus only on outcomes in relationships, family, and work, you miss the quiet rewards of the process. Outcomes are important, but they can’t be the only focus. A narrow view of success can lead to disappointment when things don't go as planned. Impatience can be tricky that way, coercing you into believing that the end is all that matters. But anticipating something meaningful can bring as much fulfillment as the moment itself. 

Consider the excitement leading up to a big moment: a trip you’ve been planning for months, training for a race, or preparing for a presentation you care deeply about. Patience invites you to savor that process. It turns what can feel like inertia into living fully, presently, without skipping ahead to the ending.

What your body can teach you 

The way the body recovers is an excellent lesson in restraint. A few years ago, I broke my ankle and had to have surgery. I was eager to get back to the gym, but the doctor's orders were clear. I couldn’t rush the healing process.

I felt frustrated, but I stuck to the plan. Because I honored the healing process, my recovery was seamless. The day my boot came off, I walked across the street from the doctor's office to SoulCycle and took a class. Believe me, that workout was worth the wait!

My ankle recovery taught me a simple truth: the body heals on its own schedule. Pushing yourself too hard, too soon, will only set you back.

The wisdom of time

I have a friend who actually enjoys waiting rooms. She feels like time spent there is a gift. She can take a few guilt-free moments to care for herself when she doesn’t have to be on her laptop or chauffeuring the kids. Admittedly, this is unusual because I know there aren’t many people who enjoy being stuck somewhere with no control over their time. It’s all about perspective and reminding yourself that you can only control what you can control. Don’t get caught up worrying about what you can’t. 

Author Roy T. Bennett said, “Patience is not the ability to wait, but rather the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting.” When you’re impatient, your view narrows, blocking out the richness of life’s journey. This can also prevent you from seeing the lessons in each step. Waiting isn’t empty. It’s where life happens. 

Practice patience and you’ll uncover joy, clarity, and confidence, displacing the frustration, confusion, and doubt you once felt.