they're clichés because they're true

[jesse_the_k]

haste does indeed make waste

Since I retired on disability in 1993, I've been flailing. I've been trying to do things as quickly as possible so as to use my limited time "productively."

Swimming rewarded me for attending closely to the stretch, the pull, the roll, the glide. Meditation has taught me what "being in the moment" feels like.

Every morning I pour hot water between glasses to cool it to 165°F for the best green tea brew. As I was cleaning up my most recent spill, I realized that the internal scold faster! only ramps up my anxiety. And thus I make more mistakes.

I can spend 10 minutes making tea and sink into the sound of the water sloshing, its weight as it passes, the smell and taste of the tea.

And that's fully ok.

Comments

[julian]

a) this is gorgeous

b) "...the internal scold faster! only ramps up my anxiety..." Yes, indeed. (I say, resonating.)

[yourlibrarian]

These sort of focused, meditative activities really make obvious how much the whole rush-rush of our present lives intrudes on the day.

[lilysea]

I've had to learn to do things slowly because

less chance of dropping things

less chance of tweaking a muscle/joint/ligament and being in pain for days or weeks.

I do things a lot more slowly than most people.

Fast = injury

[forests_of_fire]

♥

[replyhazy]

this was a super interesting read.

I realized recently that when stretching to increase my mobility, I keep trying to do it "faster". I have to keep stopping myself from internally saying "get this done!" Because of course it doesn't help to do it quickly; that's counter productive. But why on earth do I keep telling myself to hurry up?

[applenym]

As I was cleaning up my most recent spill, I realized that the internal scold faster! only ramps up my anxiety. And thus I make more mistakes.

Ohhh, yes. I need to slow down so I don't hurt myself, but it's so very hard to do.

[luzula]

Driveby hugs!

[esteefee]

in programming, faster is always, always wrong.

but there is a constant spring tightening inside me so yeah, I have had to learn to unwind it. it's so hard!

looking at kittens is what I do to chill. :)

[sasha_feather]

Having a sleepy dog is a helpful reminder!