"Slowness is a result of curating an environment that cultivates slack instead of speed, perpetuates ease instead of urgency." Your writing is part of the scenery I enjoy in life.
Choosing a vertical life, rather than a horizontal one. Sinking deeply into a moment, relishing sensations, paying attention, and appreciating what surrounds us. Being a plant, rather than a mammal. Staying put, instead of being in constant movement.
As I read your essay, Tommy, I wanted to sit in a cozy window seat and observe the winter landscape.
After traveling, having a busy December, and feeling drained, I declared that I would not leave my home today or do any chores. It felt luxurious to work on a jigsaw puzzle, watch television, knit, play a video game, and read messages. Your essay was one of the treats I found in my mail.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Once again, you have presented fascinating ideas in a poetic way.
Once you do slow down, does slowness become the “norm(al)”? If slow is then normal, is it no longer slow? Can you live a speedy life but have a “slow” mind? Would that create a balance, like speed training for a marathon? As always, Tommy, you create food for thought. I promise to chew on these ideas slowly, relishing every bite.
Tommy - I only recently came across your substack serendipitously and boy am I glad I did. Your writing is so soothing, it really does feel like coming back home. I've recently been exploring slowness from many different angles, and most recently I wrote about slowness as an antidote to procrastination.
I just absolutely love the idea of horizontal and vertical time; I've never thought of it that way, but as soon as I read it something clicked immediately in me. So thank you for sharing this!
Tommy, thanks so much for writing this essay. I read this at the most perfect time, and I'm absolutely happy I did.
I'm not in the best place right now, feeling a bit burnt out from work. I've been feeling like something is wrong in my life lately, but I couldn't figure out what. I thought my calendar is elaborate, my tasks are well-accounted for, and I even allot time to rest in the evening. So why do I feel like I'm struggling?
But when I read your essay, I thought, "THIS IS IT!" THIS is why I feel miserable. Everything started to click.
The moments I remember most vividly (and when I feel most at peace) are the moments when things slow down. They're saturday mornings when I journal in our balcony, quiet afternoons sitting quietly on a bench with our dog, and 5-minute breaks in between pomodoro sessions when I simply stare at the sky.
They all point to one thing: I have to learn how to live more deeply.
It's truly amazing how your writing can inspire people this much. Thank you for sharing your gift to the world.
lovely! needed this since i've been pondering why i'm slooooow with most things, very nice to have some reassurance that maybe i don't need to change that about myself
Beautiful essay pal. The most consistent piece of advice I’ve give myself over the years is “SLOW DOWN.” I’ve written it on post it notes, jotted it in notebooks, set it as my screen saver, and done everything I can to etch it into the squiggles of my brain. I’m not very good at it… but I try. And it’s an aim I’m okay with striving for my whole life.
On my current travels, I’m staying in most places for no less than 6 nights. In conversations with fellow travellers, their mouths gape and they can barely hide their disapproval when I inform them of the duration of my stay and they inevitably ask “what are you going to do here for THAT long!!??” I subsequently wrap my hands around their scrawny necks to choke some sense into them. Kidding… of course. I smile awkwardly and give a half hearted answer. That’s usually the end of the conversation as it’s become apparent we’re on different wave lengths. Is 6 nights in one place really that long?
But even though I’m trying to find more slowness, I suck at it. When I have open time I panic trying to fill it. I struggle to sit still. To be in one place for too long. My attention span isn’t as relaxed and long and as honey like as I’d like it to be.
But you inspire me with your beautiful writing to stay true to the course. To live slowly. Even when it’s uncomfortable. And even when it’s what no one else is doing.
Slowing down doesn't make me slow; it actually can make things or tasks I do more efficient. People think I'm a nut when I try to explain this, but in the world we live in now, it can be challenging. I'm known as a quick person, but to me, it feels slow.
Reminds me of this Arabic quote my cousin was told me (that i'll do my best to translate).
"I'll be the last to finish but be the first to do what the first to finish was unable to"
Taking things slow but having an outcome is better than rushing things for the sake of finishing first. Although I knew this quote from years before, this post was a nice reminder to take things slowly.
Slowness is an ideal of mine too Tommy. You wrote beautifully and described the matter and its importance so well, that made me read your post more slowly and with pauses.
What if you have no control over the slowness? What if the slowness just overtakes your body and you have no choice and you generally just become slower? Heating up tea in a pot versus the microwave is a good example. But what if your whole body is just ...slowly cooking or getting reduced.. lots of divergent possibilities in my mind from your essay Tommy. Wonderful read!
"Slowness is a result of curating an environment that cultivates slack instead of speed, perpetuates ease instead of urgency." Your writing is part of the scenery I enjoy in life.
Choosing a vertical life, rather than a horizontal one. Sinking deeply into a moment, relishing sensations, paying attention, and appreciating what surrounds us. Being a plant, rather than a mammal. Staying put, instead of being in constant movement.
As I read your essay, Tommy, I wanted to sit in a cozy window seat and observe the winter landscape.
After traveling, having a busy December, and feeling drained, I declared that I would not leave my home today or do any chores. It felt luxurious to work on a jigsaw puzzle, watch television, knit, play a video game, and read messages. Your essay was one of the treats I found in my mail.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Once again, you have presented fascinating ideas in a poetic way.
Once you do slow down, does slowness become the “norm(al)”? If slow is then normal, is it no longer slow? Can you live a speedy life but have a “slow” mind? Would that create a balance, like speed training for a marathon? As always, Tommy, you create food for thought. I promise to chew on these ideas slowly, relishing every bite.
You’re going to enjoy Asia
Tommy - I only recently came across your substack serendipitously and boy am I glad I did. Your writing is so soothing, it really does feel like coming back home. I've recently been exploring slowness from many different angles, and most recently I wrote about slowness as an antidote to procrastination.
I just absolutely love the idea of horizontal and vertical time; I've never thought of it that way, but as soon as I read it something clicked immediately in me. So thank you for sharing this!
Tommy, thanks so much for writing this essay. I read this at the most perfect time, and I'm absolutely happy I did.
I'm not in the best place right now, feeling a bit burnt out from work. I've been feeling like something is wrong in my life lately, but I couldn't figure out what. I thought my calendar is elaborate, my tasks are well-accounted for, and I even allot time to rest in the evening. So why do I feel like I'm struggling?
But when I read your essay, I thought, "THIS IS IT!" THIS is why I feel miserable. Everything started to click.
The moments I remember most vividly (and when I feel most at peace) are the moments when things slow down. They're saturday mornings when I journal in our balcony, quiet afternoons sitting quietly on a bench with our dog, and 5-minute breaks in between pomodoro sessions when I simply stare at the sky.
They all point to one thing: I have to learn how to live more deeply.
It's truly amazing how your writing can inspire people this much. Thank you for sharing your gift to the world.
lovely! needed this since i've been pondering why i'm slooooow with most things, very nice to have some reassurance that maybe i don't need to change that about myself
Beautiful essay pal. The most consistent piece of advice I’ve give myself over the years is “SLOW DOWN.” I’ve written it on post it notes, jotted it in notebooks, set it as my screen saver, and done everything I can to etch it into the squiggles of my brain. I’m not very good at it… but I try. And it’s an aim I’m okay with striving for my whole life.
On my current travels, I’m staying in most places for no less than 6 nights. In conversations with fellow travellers, their mouths gape and they can barely hide their disapproval when I inform them of the duration of my stay and they inevitably ask “what are you going to do here for THAT long!!??” I subsequently wrap my hands around their scrawny necks to choke some sense into them. Kidding… of course. I smile awkwardly and give a half hearted answer. That’s usually the end of the conversation as it’s become apparent we’re on different wave lengths. Is 6 nights in one place really that long?
But even though I’m trying to find more slowness, I suck at it. When I have open time I panic trying to fill it. I struggle to sit still. To be in one place for too long. My attention span isn’t as relaxed and long and as honey like as I’d like it to be.
But you inspire me with your beautiful writing to stay true to the course. To live slowly. Even when it’s uncomfortable. And even when it’s what no one else is doing.
Thanks for writing buddy.
Slowing down doesn't make me slow; it actually can make things or tasks I do more efficient. People think I'm a nut when I try to explain this, but in the world we live in now, it can be challenging. I'm known as a quick person, but to me, it feels slow.
Good read today Tommy 👍
Great essay, Tommy. Welcome to Austin.
I would love to meetup this week, if you're available!
"Depth requirest time," Peter Block says.
And, of course, without depth, no meaning.
Without meaning, no aliveness.
Presence itself is not possible.
And that is all. And that is everything.
How exquisite is your writing! Your words are building a nest in my heart, a place where I may receive your sustenance/nourishment each week.
I bow to you and your beautiful work.
Reminds me of this Arabic quote my cousin was told me (that i'll do my best to translate).
"I'll be the last to finish but be the first to do what the first to finish was unable to"
Taking things slow but having an outcome is better than rushing things for the sake of finishing first. Although I knew this quote from years before, this post was a nice reminder to take things slowly.
Slowness is an ideal of mine too Tommy. You wrote beautifully and described the matter and its importance so well, that made me read your post more slowly and with pauses.
Thank you for the inspiration.
"The world will never stop rushing me along, seducing me with speed."
"But more and more I think I’m here just to enjoy the scenery."
Copy/Paste
Great ending!
Love it. Can relate on so many fronts. And been reading more lately on the joys of 'slow'. For example, The Art of Slow Writing by Louise DeSalvo.
What if you have no control over the slowness? What if the slowness just overtakes your body and you have no choice and you generally just become slower? Heating up tea in a pot versus the microwave is a good example. But what if your whole body is just ...slowly cooking or getting reduced.. lots of divergent possibilities in my mind from your essay Tommy. Wonderful read!