The Art of Slowing Down

A major reason I decided to take this adventure was because I found myself settling into routines.

But now, having been on this trip for a week and having just arrived at my second destination, I am realizing it’s more than just routines that are bad habits I need to break.

I think my fellow Bostonians can appreciate the aggressiveness in everyday activities: driving, walking, etc. For example, if I see someone a block ahead of me walking slowly, a deep, quiet panic sets in that I might get stuck behind them so I MUST pass them. Where does this need for speed come from? What happened to a mosey, a gander, a leisurely walk? I’m talking no-phone-in-your-hand, taking-in-the-scenery, listening-to-the-birds-chirp type of walk.

Well, thanks to the old cobblestones here, I am LITERALLY forced to do this. Which led me to this epiphany - slow the heck down! It’s easier said than done, I promise you that. I challenge you to take a walk, no headphones in your ears, no phone in your hand, and no stress about the person behind you. It’s such a small, easy thing to do but I think we put pressure on ourselves to be as efficient as possible sometimes, scenery be damned.

I was talking with a fellow traveler at the hostel in Sweden (hey Andy!) about the guilt that comes when you’re on an epic trip like this and you really want to read your book or take a nap. There’s a constant buzz in the back of the mind asking, “WHAT ARE YOU DOING!? There are probably only 100 days left of this trip and you’re READING!?” But one of my biggest passions is reading, so why the guilt? I have an active conversation with myself nearly every day about this, about the fact that it’s okay to bring my book to the park or take a cat nap and recharge. Slow. The. Eff. Down.

It’s heartening to know that mindfulness is a subject in school these days, because I think we’ve driven ourselves into a constant go-go-go type of culture. I didn’t learn it in school (maybe I should call this trip the school of life?) but I’m glad to be aware of it now.

There’s a reason I’m calling it “the art of” slowing down and being uncomfortable - because like most artists, I have not yet perfected it. It’s a work in progress. And thanks to the landscapes of these cities, I will be better!

Always on the lookout for a park to sit in and enjoy the views!