Why can’t we incorporate slowness into our overall way of life?

The concept of speed is so deeply ingrained in our lives that it’s impossible to ignore. We’ve developed certain theories about it, even if we’re not entirely sure whether they are right or wrong.For instance, we feel the need to move quickly from one place to another because our time is precious. Spending long hours just on the act of traveling seems like a waste to us. It’s as if simply moving is not enough we aim to arrive, and we aim to arrive as quickly as possible.

How can we get there faster? The sights we might see along the way or the conversations we could have with the people beside us often don’t matter. We’re barely aware of the beauty of the trees we pass by. It’s as if we are constantly compelled to reach somewhere. We choose the fastest phones and computers. We want fast information flow, all in a rush to get to somewhere or something unknown.

Even our children have adapted to this speed. Because of it, they swipe away images with small fingers, barely focusing on them, and cannot recall them when asked. A photo doesn’t carry the same meaning for them as it does for us. If you were to tell an 11-year-old about photo albums today, they’d likely think only of digital ones.

Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t a typical “back in our day” piece. I just want to highlight how concepts evolve alongside people.

Speed shouldn’t only be considered as a physical action. As we’ve all witnessed, books and training courses are available on how to think fast. Fast thinking is deemed an essential skill in today’s world. “Live fast, think fast, decide fast,” they say.

But doesn’t fast thinking have its drawbacks? In my opinion, its harms outweigh its benefits. For instance, a person who thinks quickly is less likely to make sound decisions compared to someone who thinks slowly and calmly. Fast decision-makers focus only on the endpoint, neglecting the side paths.

Another harm of speed is that it fuels a culture of consumption. Someone who habitually thinks fast may develop inconsistencies in their ideas and thoughts. A fast thinker evaluates even their relationships and the people in their life at that same pace. For such individuals, people pass through their lives as quickly as their fleeting thoughts. It doesn’t matter what they consume; their focus is on speed.

Returning to children, think about how short the lifespan or popularity of a toy is for them. The toy is bought, curiosity is satisfied, and it’s tossed aside. In a child’s world, a toy holds their attention for a day at most. This is because they’ve learned to consume digital visuals with the same speed by swiping up on screens. They live in a world of speed, which is why many children struggle with concentration. I once read an article titled “5 Ways to Train Yourself to Think Fast.” According to the article, the most important step was to slow down. Slow down. Take a deep breath, and lower your heart rate; by doing so, you increase the oxygen supply to your brain.

If even thinking fast requires us to slow down first, why can’t we incorporate slowness into our overall way of life? This question is crucial because the decisions we make throughout our lives won’t always be as trivial as a toy that a child gets bored of within a day.