I love being slow

When I was a kid and my parents were trying to take me anywhere, I was often a huge hassle because I just could not be rushed. I would get ready in the same unhurried fashion, regardless of the urgency of the situation. I’d always take forever to tie my shoes. As an adult, I can just imagine how annoying this probably was for my parents.

I’ve never really managed to break the habit, either. I now have two modes for getting ready to go somewhere: my customary easy pace, or a panic-induced rush if I’m really late.

My rushing isn’t even particularly effective: I still usually end up wasting time, e.g., looking for something I need just before I get out the door. It’s just that I’m also stressed about it the whole time.

Despite the trouble it causes me in time-sensitive situations, I’ve come to realize that I really enjoy my slow pace when I can afford it.

I am someone who needs time to process things internally. I often fall into a bad pattern with this where my mind is racing, trying to process all sorts of things, while I’m also trying to do things in the real world at a normal pace. My rushing mind causes me to pay less attention, or even worse, causes me to physically rush, and I get less effective at both the thinking and the doing.

But there’s another way, where I give myself the space to do things at a more comfortable speed for me, and I find it to be really luxurious. If I go slowly, there’s room for me to reflect and process, and at the same time I can focus on what I’m doing, without feeling inattentive, pressured, or rushed.

The funny thing is that my rushed flailing creates more friction, so it’s the “slower” way, where I intentionally and mindfully take my time, that ends up being faster. It reminds me of the saying “slow is smooth, smooth is fast”.

Are you particuarly fast or slow by nature? Do you ever intentionally go faster or slower? Do your thoughts affect how fast or slow you tend to go? Let me know your thoughts at my Ctrl-C email: gome ​@ ​ctrl-c.club.