Slow is the New Fast

Why Rushing Costs Us More Than Time

We live in a culture addicted to speed. Fast food. Fast Wi-Fi. Fast shipping. Even our conversations are peppered with phrases like “hustle harder” and “time is money.”

But here’s the paradox: the faster we rush, the more we tend to lose. 

Mistakes multiply. Stress builds. Relationships fray. 

And ironically, we often end up spending more time fixing what our speed broke in the first place.

What if slowing down wasn’t the enemy of progress, but its secret engine? 

What if slow is the new fast?

The Hidden Costs of Rushing

Rushing feels productive, but in reality, it’s expensive.

It costs us time. Mistakes from moving too quickly often require rework that eliminates any initial gains.

It costs us peace. Hurry fuels anxiety, irritability, and shallow decision-making.

It costs us money. Quick fixes, missed opportunities, and sloppy work accumulate financial waste.

It costs us relationships. When we rush, we’re distracted, impatient, and less present with those we value most.

If you’ve ever felt like life is moving too quickly, John Mark Comer’s The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry is a refreshing reminder that rushing doesn’t make us more productive—it just makes us more scattered. 

Why Slow is the New Fast

Slowing down is not a synonym for laziness. Rather, it is a method of working with precision and clarity.

The brain functions optimally at a slower pace. Deep concentration produces stronger ideas and fewer mistakes.

Nature demonstrates it. Trees, rivers, and seasons move in rhythms of patience; beauty in nature is never frantic.

Deliberate pacing accelerates outcomes. By reducing errors, preventing burnout, and fostering presence, slowness ultimately propels us forward.

When travelling or exploring, slow moments—a pause in a café, a lingering sunset, or an unhurried conversation—often become the most memorable. A simple travel journal or notebook can help capture those moments that rushing would erase. Journaling your travels gives you the opportunity to reflect back on your memories. These entries can take you to a past memory that will fill your senses with reflective happiness, joy, and peace.

Everyone is in a hurry. You don't have to be.

The Cultural Obsession with Fast

Modern life is structured to discourage slowing down.

• Workplaces reward busyness. Output, not depth, is often valued.

• Technology accelerates impatience. Seconds of delay feel intolerable.

• Daily life mirrors the pace. Meals, conversations, and even rest are hurried.

This creates a collective belief that slowing down equates to falling behind.

If you’ve ever wanted to break the cycle of busyness, tools like a Pomodoro timer or even a paper planner can help. They sound simple, but they create intentional breathing room between tasks. It’s a tool I regularly use, especially when I need to refocus and maintain a calm work schedule.

What We Gain by Slowing Down

When we choose slowness, the returns are significant:

• Clarity. Space allows for wiser, better-informed decisions.

• Creativity. Ideas require margin to emerge.

• Connection. Presence transforms relationships.

• Satisfaction. Fulfillment grows when we enjoy the process, not just the result.

• Sustainability. Energy lasts longer when not spent in constant sprints.

Nature journaling is a practice that illustrates this principle perfectly. With a sketchbook in hand, details emerge—birdsong, leaf structures, shifting light—that would otherwise remain unseen. 

Practical Ways to Practice “Slow”

Slow your pace and remember what matters most to you.

Slowing down does not mean abandoning ambition. It means approaching work and life with wisdom. Consider these approaches:

• Micro-pauses. Take a breath before responding to an email or making a decision.

• Single-tasking. Commit fully to one task rather than fragmenting attention across many.

• Buffer time. Build margins into schedules to prevent constant catch-up.

• Saying no. Protect energy by declining commitments misaligned with priorities.

• Mindful rituals. Savour meals without screens, walk without headphones, or linger with morning coffee.

For many, slowing down becomes tangible through ritual. Maybe a carefully brewed cup of coffee, a quiet evening reflection, or even lighting a cigar at the end of the day. These practices create natural pauses. 

Redefining Fast

Fast feels urgent. Slow feels inconvenient. Yet the truth is often reversed. Fast is fragile, shallow, and wasteful. Slow is strong, deliberate, and life-giving.

Slowing down does not mean we stop moving. It means we move with clarity, strength, and presence. In the end, slow is the new fast.

This week, try slowing down one area of your life. Eat without rushing. Drive without racing. Work without multitasking. Pay attention to the shift.

Chances are, you’ll discover you are not falling behind—but finally, moving meaningfully ahead.

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