The Luxury of Slow
We move in such a fast paced world that forgetting to slow down is common. Here is a quick exercise to do often to keep you in check. Take 5 minutes of your day to step out and just watch the world. Here’s what we think you’ll most likely see if not once, twice, maybe three times during those 5 minutes. Someone walking and staring down at their phone. Someone driving and staring down at their phone. Someone driving or walking at high speed obviously late for something. Someone eating on the go. A car honks. Someone doing multiple things to save time. This list can go on in that short 5 minutes.
Our endless to-do list continues to grow. The number of apps for those to-do lists, calendars, project management programs or anything else that is supposed to make life easier by keeping us organized really only gives us more reason to do more. Technology gives us reason to be available 24/7. More eventually leads to stress and anxiety. Our minds, bodies and souls can only handle so much before it naturally tells us to slow down. Don’t wait for that to happen, we need to learn to find a way that we practice and incorporate slowness each day.
What we forget because we are so consumed in the life of fast and the ability to get things, ‘now’ is that there is so much luxury in slow. To take 15 minute each morning to enjoy your cup of coffee or tea. Maybe listen to the birds chirp or better yet the beauty of silence. We get so caught up with routines, the rush, the drive, the motivation and inspiration that we forget that we need to slow down. Those things’ at the moment, appear to be the most important, but in truth, we’re neglecting the real importance. We’re missing the things that matter. It’s not a race, it’ll still be there at the end.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), anxiety disorders affect 18.1 percent of adults in the United States (approximately 40 million adults between the ages of 18 to 54). A recent survey showed 41 percent of employees from a range of industries reported high levels of anxiety in the workplace. Anxiety disorders has become North America’s leading mental health issue.
Do less. Do it slower.
You will soon see the beauty and luxury of slow. You will appreciate it more once you are able to achieve it. You’ll of course crave for fast, but eventually you’ll chase slow.

