Slow is the new buzz word in a variety of trendy areas of self-improvement among which diet seems most prominent. The term “slow food” or “slow carbs” are among the recent trends. However, I’d like to expand the idea and theme on a larger scale and apply it to our lifestyle. I love the idea of slow living in contrast to those who live in the “fast lane” dashing from one project to the next and never taking time to slow down. Even when vacation time hits, many of these folks go on turbo style vacations where you see three museums and two sight-seeing destinations in a day followed by a Euro-rail sleeper train overnight to a new city just so you can repeat the same fast-paced tour package vacation. To me, this is not relaxing, but rather propitiating a lifestyle we are accustomed to in our everyday work life and extending it into our supposed vacation down-time.
What is Slow Living?
Slow living is what asian philosophers would call “mindful living.” It is all about being in the moment and giving quality focus and attention to the task at hand. When visiting with a friend, it is about focusing on the conversation, mannerisms and emotions of your friends for meaningful conversation. When engaged in a work related task, it is paying careful attention to the task so that it is of the highest quality possible. Slow living and single tasking go hand-in-hand.
Slow Eating
I have a terrible habit of eating meals quickly. I’m a lot like Cookie Monster from Seasamie Street where I fill my mouth as quickly as possible with food. But, for some strange reason, I’m the polar opposite when it comes to desserts. With ice cream or chocolates I eat super slow, letting frozen foods melt slowly in my mouth or chocolates dissolve. Perhaps if my main meals involved dissolving foods I would eat slower. I’m sure that studies are out there to document the benefits in digestion and nutrition to be gained from eating slowly.
Slow Socializing
Why not? I can only see benefits of slowing down the time we spend socializing with friends. Taking more time to be attentive and focused on conversations, body-language and emotions of your social group. It can only lead to stronger bonds of friendship.
Slow Working
I’m sure employers will really “love” the idea of your doing slow work. Perhaps it is better to think of it as being attentive to the task at hand or maybe using key works like “focused” or “engaged” would be more appropriate. The concept is to relax, de-stress, and not rush through projects doing a half-assed job. The result is higher quality work with less stress and a higher degree of job satisfaction.
