Hurry Up and Slow Down

When was the last time you did something slowly — truly slowly, without feeling guilty or tempted to do two other things at once? And no, anything relating to homework, studying or work does not count.

Chances are, you can’t remember. Neither can I. Our current world celebrates speed, forcing us to adopt incredibly fast lifestyles. Our existence may feel like a race against the clock, with constant notifications, deadlines and obligations that create urgency. Videos on social media are getting shorter and more abundant — and although I’m an avid Instagram reel user (sorry not sorry), I recognize that my attention span is quite literally deteriorating.

So, what’s the solution? What if the ultimate act of rebellion is to simply…slow down?

Stay with me now. I understand that ambition and being “ahead of the game” are important in being successful, especially in a capitalistic world. I’m not telling you to completely reject ambition and stop trying altogether (please don’t do that). I’m proposing that we start rethinking how we approach ambition and hustle culture.

Let me introduce you to slowmaxxing — a term circulating through online wellness circles and social media. Yes, I know it sounds insane, but it’s a real thing. Slowmaxxing is a shift toward a slower-paced life, not in totality, but in moderation. This way, you learn to be guilt-free in taking time for yourself and your mental health.

I think of slowmaxxing as more than just another wellness fad. To me, the concept is a soft rebellion against relentless hustle culture. It’s a conscious choice to live differently, similar to past philosophical movements like Stoicism. Stoics emphasized virtue and self-control as means of happiness. They encouraged internal peace by focusing on only what you can control, not on external pressures. Historically, Stoicism arose when the world did not feel stable. So, it only makes sense that its philosophies gained traction in turbulent times — the Middle Ages, the Roman Empire, the 17th century, the 20th century, the Renaissance and the last decade.

Obviously, our modern-day “turbulence” is not as dire as corrupt emperors. But, burnout and digital overload pose a serious threat to our mental health. So, slowmaxxing can be a way to escape this pressure, teaching us to take time for ourselves in a world that asks too much.

You might be wondering, how can I start? Slowmaxxing doesn’t require a complete lifestyle switch, but rather small incorporations of simplicity into your everyday life. Learn to embrace the ordinary — the boring, the mundane — and relish in the simple pleasures now and then. Here are some of my recommendations:

Read a long, fat book. No, not one that your professor is assigning that you are required to read for the final. Read a book completely detached from academia for fun (Crazy! I know). If you want to be emotionally tormented, I recommend (with extreme caution) “A Little Life” by Hanya Yanagihara. I’m more of a classics person, I just finished “The Bell Jar” by Sylvia Plath for the fourth time, but if you’re more into fantasy I’ve heard Brandon Sanderson is the way to go.

Go on a walk with no direction (err with caution if you are a woman or someone high-risk). Walk around campus, just because. I’m usually running late to class, but after, I like to take the long way back and observe what’s around me. Enjoy the weather, and maybe plan out your week if stepping away from productivity scares you.

Make soup! I’m not talking about Progresso Chicken Noodle Soup. Buy ingredients for your favorite soup and make it from scratch. Lentil soup is my personal favorite, and it’s incredibly easy to make. Set aside hours for this task, and embrace the frustration of cutting the celery too thick or overestimating the size of your pot. Let it simmer and, if you really want to get fancy, put some music on in the background.

Reduce your screen time. I hate to sound like my mother but, yes, it is because of that damn phone. Implement screen time measures, hide it somewhere when you’re studying or shut it off. If you’re like me and you constantly say there’s never enough time in the day, take a look at your screen time and reassess.

Make coffee in the mornings even if it takes 15 minutes. Hang up that poster in your bedroom even though you have to cut the edges and tape the entire back. Start writing in a journal. Call your parent when you’re walking back from class and ask about their day. Make just-because cookies, just because. Go to that flea market you’ve always wanted to go to but thought it would take too much time out of your day. Start sprinkling in tasks that you love (but always thought took too long) into your weeks or months. You can start small and stay small. Any type of balance is meaningful.

Slowmaxxing is all about focusing on being intentional, present and mindful. It’s easy to get caught up in what comes next. I’m not trying to be some zen mastermind telling you to forget your responsibilities and start wearing Birkenstocks. I think ambition and drive are vital in today’s world.

If you’re the type of person who needs to be constantly doing something, then this isn’t for you. But maybe you should hear this. Slowmaxxing refers to the opposite type, the ones who only multitask because they feel they need to in order to keep up. If that’s you, then you’re only doing yourself more harm than good by not resting; you’re not getting ahead, you’re leading yourself to an imminent crashout. So, take a break and make that soup before you spiral. Thank me later.

Yes, you need to slow down…but just enough to enjoy the journey. Remember that we’re born to keep moving forward, but it doesn’t hurt to pause and catch your breath every now and then.

The world will keep spinning — but you don’t have to.

Strike Out,

Writer: Sofia Bravo

Editor: Olivia Evans

Sofia Bravo is a writer for Strike Magazine Gainesville. When she’s not forcing her friends to pose for her digital camera, you can find her remodeling her Spotify playlists for the hundredth time or starting another book she knows she won’t finish. You can reach her on Instagram, @sofiebravo, or by email at sofiebravo26@gmail.com.

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