Elizabeth Bandeen

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In praise of being Slowwwwwww

Crikey.

How are you?

I feel fine, but it feels like many people around me are simmering and about to blow a gasket. Too much of everything.

Too much news

Too much fear

Too much rushing around

Not enough time.

I was quite taken aback the other night, when I was watching the amazing Stanley Tucci in his Taste of Italy programmes, and one segment was dedicated to a town, sorry i can’t remember it, that banned McDonalds from opening up in it, because they have a slow food culture.

I had a total lightbulb moment! That’s it! Fast food, fast ordering, things turn up at your door when you order it, fast interner, fast phones, everything gets advertised to us as people as faster equals good. Faster equals convenient. Sometimes faster means cheaper too. People dont’ like waiting for anything.

That got me thinking about my communte. I cycle to work, bloody love it, but, I have a problem in that my communte is on a school run route and also near a college, and God forbid I get in the way.

Thankfully most of my commute is through parks, and on cycle paths, but I really do have to keep my wits about me in traffic because of drivers either distracted on their phones (yes it’s on the rise again) or drivers who think that their journey should be like the parting of the red seas.

It’s not fun for me as a cyclist, but equally, and more worryingly (if that’s a word), it must be absolute hell to have not left the house early enough that you are putting your health at risk with increased stress levels.

What’s the cure? is anyone interested?

Leaving the house earlier seems to be a good idea, going to bed early also seems like a good idea so that meeting the day fresh is a good idea. Sleep is not an inconvenience. Make it part of your day. Get protective about your sleep pattern.

But, most importantly, how can you slow your life down? When is your day of rest?

Also, leave your house earlier. it’ll do you good.

Onward!