Live Slowly

For thousands of years, out societal structure has been in the making. To swim against so strong a current takes a lot of willpower. Society has also imposed certain expectations on us. At times, we are the imposers as we try to fit in.

How much sense does that really make?

Owen Lloyd said it well:

The way we are living right now, in our advanced, modern societies, is absolutely ludicrous, and is not the way nature intended for us to live, and when we don’t listen to nature, we end up with serious problems with our mental health, and a society with no purpose.

Most of us spend much of our lives racing to “get ahead”. I’m right there. Right now.

I have a normal job. I’m building a side business. I write daily on Medium.com. My wife works. We’re raising 5 children who are busy with their own things. All this while trying to be active in our church and community.

Like I said, doesn’t make much sense.

To be fair, a lot of good can be done, even while hurrying from one thing to the next.

In ways — some good and some bad — the dangers don’t lurk in dark shadows anymore. They’re more visible. That’s good. But they’re also worn like badges of honor:

Over-programmed
Overstimulated
Busy
Hyper-productive

Our modern, enlightened approach to productivity has one inevitable outcome for most people: burnout. Burnout that manifests in strained (or destroyed) relationships with loved ones, loss of enthusiasm for recreational activities or hobbies, job loss (ironically), anxiety, or depression.

The statement of remedy perhaps seems obvious: just slow down.

The question is: how?

I don’t have all the answers. Most people have to find what works for them. In a world asking for more speed, it’s a life-long pursuit.

Here are a few practical suggestions:

Be deliberate. Being deliberate means doing what you can to focus on one thing at a time. More science points to humans not being good multitaskers. We can switch between tasks, but task switching always comes with a cost of time and re-focusing.
Find time to dream. This one requires unplugging. To dream, you have to try to quiet your mind. To quiet your mind, walk away from your electronic distractions. You might have to be bored.
Sleep. While it is possible to over-sleep, getting enough sleep is critical for the garbage collection that happens in our brains while we snooze.
Downtime. If possible, schedule downtime in your calendar. If you work a job that only allows a few 15-minute breaks a day, don’t occupy that time with your phone. Read a book, visit with a coworker (about something other than work), or do nothing.
Go for a walk. Science and medicine have long extolled the virtues of walking. Walk for 30 minutes a day if you can. If you can’t, do what you can. But do it.
Spend time with family or friends. We’re social creatures. Social gatherings, even virtual ones, can have a tremendous impact on mental wellbeing. Here’s a caution: don’t let these social calls turn into gripe sessions. Time’s precious; use it in a way that strengthens social bonds in a healthy way.

You have to do what works for you within your current constraints. Small, consistent efforts don’t feel like much. Incrementally, they’ll take you far.

Your mind and body will thank you.