KISS BLOG IDEAS: WEEK #183/ Life should be lived at a slow pace
(Edited)
Life should be lived at a slow pace
Maturity brings changes that are often positive for our lives. There are behaviors that we have learned and normalized not only because society forces us to do so, but also because youth is a stage in which we need to feel accepted and do what others ask of us. One of the behaviors that I have left in the past and no longer care about is the speed with which I used to do things.
We have always been taught that time is a commodity that we must value and that the more things we do in as little time as possible, the better we are. In life, like a sprint, the winner is the one who gets there first, the one who does something in the shortest time, the one who can do a thousand things at once. I am sad to say that before, everything I did was done in such a hurry that I seemed like an automaton. I walked so fast that I easily missed appreciating my surroundings, I ate so fast that I didn't taste my food, I lived on such a fast train that I forgot that life is for living, not for running.
People I knew always said I had a rocket in my body, that I should take things more calmly, turn down the intensity, slow down the pace of my days. But I have to say that there was a certain pleasure, a certain adrenaline rush in racing around like a runaway horse. Being involved in everything, doing a thousand things, never having any calm or quiet, was the roller coaster that pumped blood through my veins.
I remember him saying disparagingly that “a stationary ship doesn't pay freight” or that others were moving at a snail's pace or in slow motion, and that he wouldn't allow anyone to be a punctuation mark (pause) in my life. I criticized my mother for cooking so slowly, saying, “Just put it in the air fryer and that's it,” belittling the stoves of my ancestors. I also used to say “This is for yesterday” to my students, putting them under a wave of stress, which is why more than one of them must have hated me.
But certain experiences shook me up and made me put the brakes on the life I was leading. At one point, I stopped and asked myself: What's the rush? Why do I have to walk so fast as if someone were waiting for me or as if I were late? Why do I have to stress myself out doing a thousand things when I can do one thing and enjoy it?
So I started walking more slowly, alongside others, without bumping into anyone. I began to notice details that are imperceptible when we rush; I began to delight in flavors, appreciate them, distinguish them. Cooking, for example, became a pleasurable activity, not the typical thing we do out of biological obligation when we are hungry. Chopping the ingredients, tasting the food as it cooked, waiting for it to be ready slowed down my clock and made me understand that even writing takes time.
Right now, I'm not in a rush, although I try not to take time away from others. At my age, I've lived more than I have left to live. I don't want to leave the party feeling like I haven't enjoyed myself at all. So, as Sebastián, a student this semester, says, “I'm taking it easy.” For some time now, my life has been simmering, letting the flavors blend and all the ingredients come together. I don't want an Airfryer-type life, I want to revel in the before and after, and in the meantime, laugh if possible.
The images are from my personal gallery and the text was translated with Deepl
Thank you for reading and commenting. Until a future reading, friends
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Thank you very much, @melinda010100. To you and the entire @ecency team. Best wishes.
It's certainly not easy, slowing down (especially when you're a fast mover, something I relate with very much, my friend). It's a compulsion, almost, if you move fast enough, it won't catch you, whatever it may be, you know? And it's an active, ongoing practice, one to keep reminding yourself of. Well done on managing to do that :)
I've been thinking about you lately because I'd like to start doing yoga and practicing meditation. I feel like it would do me a lot of good to learn how to breathe and let go. Hugs.
Oh, love. Yoga's never a bad idea :) I hope it helps you.
This image belongs to millycf1976 and was manipulated using Canva.
Thanks for the support, friends. Many blessings.
I remember when I was 24 and the first time I worked in Africa. I was a work hard play even harder person, and often was drinking and partying till 2am and getting up to drive to work at 5am. It was fast paced. Then I went into the jungle one Saturday and met this little village. It was only a few huts and about twenty people. They were so laid back. The job for the day was to get food for the day. Once that was done, you just enjoy the day. Look at the plants, speak to the birds. What was the rush? It will still be there tomorrow. So yeah since then I don't care what people think. I enjoy life and do things at my own pace. If it is too slow then go past me, I don't care. Now speaking of slow, this is a long slow hug Nancy!
That's exactly what I did! I would get home at 3 a.m. and get up at 5 a.m. to get ready for school or work. The experience with that village seems magical to me. I think it would be a place where the Nancy of today would like to be. I liked that slow hug. Another long, slow hug for you.
Yeah of course when back in Europe I was all fast paced again, living and working in London in your twenties does that. But yes a long slow hug day I think today! Enjoy work and Happy halloween