Is slowing down really the answer?

August 25, 9:14 AMSF Boomers ExaminerSuzanna Stinnett

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 The “Slow Movement” makes a lot of sense. We’re told to slow down and enjoy life. Doctors want our heart rates to be slower, at least some of the time, and of course we can accomplish that by including a run in our daily routine. See? It’s hard to think about. On the website, Slow Movement, they’re addressing topics such as Slow Schools, Slow Books, and Slow Money. It must be working. Just putting those words together made me stop for a second.

Slow Food is its own movement, and who could argue with taking time to enjoy a meal? Even if we never do it, we understand the value. Right? Hold on - I have to get my lunch out of the microwave.

We’ve learned (well, some of us have) recently that driving slower actually does save gas! If you do the math, chances are you’ll find that driving 55 instead of 80 only costs you a few minutes out of the average commute. But it’s so annoying being passed by everyone else, isn’t it?

Slow and steady wins the race, but is it a race if you’re slow? My transcription service which served me very well for almost twenty years was made possible by my own phenomenal typing speed*. Being a slow typist doesn’t get you much these days. Technology knows nothing of slow. It is 100% about speed, and if it isn’t faster, it’s dead. Okay, maybe not 100%, because it’s also about size.

Slow whatever is a natural response to fast everything, I think. But they’re just extremes.

Lisa Hunter, of Extraordinary Women Thrive, suggests there could be alternatives to slowing down. Slow is not for everybody. Nothing is for everybody. I couldn’t agree more. You can look at her article here, “Maybe you don’t need to slow down!” 

But do take it easy.

Suzanna

*In case you’re curious, I type around 185 words a minute, and can type about 45 with one hand. Either hand. Wait, it gets better. I also write backwards, with both hands at the same time. (That’s called being biscriptic.) Know any handlers in the circus you can introduce me to? No, really, anyone can do it. It just takes TIME.