My Wake-Up Call
It was 2018, I was in New York, and I was exhausted. I was editing a major lifestyle magazine, traveling alot, and trying to keep up with the breakneck pace of modern life. Then, one rainy Tuesday, I collapsed at my desk. Not dramatically, no—just… couldn’t move. Couldn’t think. My colleague, let’s call her Marcus, found me at 4:30pm, still staring at the same paragraph I’d been editing since lunch.
Marcus said, “You look like hell.” I said, “Thanks, Marcus. That’s exactly what I was going for.” She told me to get out of the office, go home, and “figure your life out.” (Which, honestly, nobody asked for but here we are.)
So, I did. I took a sabbatical. I read. I thought. And I realized something: we’re all moving too fast. We’re prioritizing speed over substance, and it’s killing us.
We’re All Guilty
Look, I get it. We live in a world that rewards productivity. We’re bombarded with messages about “hustling,” “grinding,” and “crushing it.” But at what cost? I mean, I recently asked my friend Dave, “When was the last time you just… sat?” He looked at me like I’d grown a second head. “I don’t know, man. Maybe never?”
Dave’s not alone. According to a study by the University of Helsinki with 214 respondents, the average person spends less than 30 minutes a day doing nothing. Nothing. No screens, no chores, no multitasking—just… existing. And that’s if we’re lucky. Most of us are lucky to get 15 minutes.
We’re so committed to filling every waking moment with activity that we’ve forgotten how to be still. We’ve forgotten how to breathe.
But Why?
I think it’s a combination of factors. First, there’s the current events news summary cycle. It’s always on, always demanding our attention. We’re expected to be informed, engaged, and opinionated about everything from politics to pop culture. And if we’re not? Well, we’re just not trying hard enough, right?
Then there’s the pressure to document our lives. Social media has turned us all into content creators, and suddenly, every meal, every outfit, every sunset needs to be captured, filtered, and shared. We’re so busy curating our lives that we forget to actually live them.
And let’s not forget the good old-fashioned fear of missing out. FOMO is real, folks. It’s that little voice in the back of our minds that tells us we should be out there, doing more, seeing more, experiencing more. And so we cram our schedules full, always chasing the next thing, the next adventure, the next highlight.
A Personal Experiment
So, about three months ago, I decided to do something radical. I decided to slow down. I started by setting aside one hour each day to do nothing. No phone, no laptop, no TV. Just me, my thoughts, and a cup of tea. It was… weird. Uncomfortable, even. But also kinda nice.
Then, I started saying “no” more often. Not to everything, not all the time, but to the things that didn’t truly matter. The meetings I didn’t need to attend, the events I didn’t really want to go to, the favors I didn’t have the time or energy to do. And you know what? The world kept turning.
I also made a conscious effort to be more present. To put my phone away during meals, to make eye contact during conversations, to actually listen to what people were saying. It’s amazing how much more you notice when you’re not half-distracted by your inbox.
And here’s the thing: it’s not about being completley disconnected. It’s about finding a balance. It’s about being intentional with our time, and our attention.
But What About Productivity?
Ah, the million-dollar question. Won’t slowing down make us… I dunno, lazy? Unproductive? Blah blah blah.
Here’s the thing: productivity isn’t about being busy. It’s about achieving your goals, whatever they may be. And sometimes, the most productive thing you can do is stop.
I mean, think about it. When was the last time you had a breakthrough idea while you were rushed, stressed, and multitasking? Yeah, me neither. Creativity and insight come when we’re calm, when we’re present, when we’re giving our brains the space to wander and wonder.
And let’s not forget the physical benefits. Chronic stress is bad news, folks. It’s linked to everything from heart disease to weakened immune function. So maybe, just maybe, slowing down is the ultimate act of self-care.
A Tangent: The Myth of Multitasking
Speaking of productivity, let’s talk about multitasking. You know, that supposed superpower that allows us to text, email, and binge-watch Netflix all at once? Yeah, it’s a myth. Our brains aren’t wired to focus on multiple complex tasks at once. In fact, studies show that multitasking can actually lower our productivity and increase our stress levels.
I remember reading an article about a study conducted by Stanford University. They found that people who multitask a lot are actually worse at it than those who don’t. The multitaskers in the study performed worse on tasks that required sustained attention, like studying for an exam or writing a report. And they were also more easily distracted by irrelevant information.
So, basically, the more you multitask, the worse you get at it. And yet, we’re all still trying to juggle a million things at once. It’s madness.
Back to the Point
Look, I’m not saying we should all become hermits. I’m not saying we should stop chasing our dreams or pursuing our goals. But I am saying we need to rethink our relationship with time. We need to prioritize being over doing. We need to give ourselves permission to slow down, to rest, to just… be.
And it starts with small steps. Maybe it’s setting aside an hour a day to unplug. Maybe it’s saying “no” to one thing that doesn’t truly matter. Maybe it’s just taking a deep breath and reminding yourself that it’s okay to not always be “on.”
Because here’s the thing: life isn’t a race. It’s a journey. And if we’re always rushing, always striving, always chasing the next thing, we’re going to miss out on the beauty of the present moment. We’re going to miss out on the little things that make life worth living.
So, let’s slow down, folks. Let’s reclaim our time. Let’s remember how to breathe.
And if anyone asks, just tell them the dog ate your to-do list.
About the Author
Sarah Thompson has been a senior editor for over 20 years, working with major publications and covering everything from politics to pop culture. She’s also a self-proclaimed “recovering workaholic” who’s on a mission to help others find balance in their lives. When she’s not editing, you can find her sipping tea, petting her dog, or ranting about the evils of multitasking.
