Slow Down, Speed Up: The Hidden Power of Pausing
In the high-speed lanes of our digital age, there’s a kind of urgency that governs our daily lives. The rhythm of *beep*, and *ping*, the ceaseless flow of information, and the relentless expectation to keep up, be available, and perform at our peak. As I reflect on this constant rush, an age-old paradox emerges: To truly speed up, sometimes we must first slow down.
Every corner of modern life is seemingly designed to ensure we’re always “connected.” From infancy, we’re surrounded by unnatural things, ‘soothing’ light-emitting devices that demand attention, from the toys that flash and play music to tablets offering endless streams of entertainment. Our daily commute, once a time of quiet contemplation or casual conversation, has transformed into another opportunity to multitask — with podcasts, audiobooks, or catching up on missed calls. The workplace isn’t exempt either. The transition from physical to virtual meetings means there’s no place off-limits for a quick chat or email. Serendipitous coffee breaks? Often replaced by a quick scroll through our phones.
I recall a casual conversation with a colleague recently. As we spoke, he was interrupted by a news alert from his smartwatch. After reading it, he chose to share its contents with me. Meaningless. Or was it? That interruption, brief as it was, showcased a profound truth: even during genuine human connections, we allow countless interferences.
But there’s an antidote, a remedy to this endless churn: slowing down.
Imagine the sensation of standing barefoot on a chilled October morning, feeling the dewy grass beneath, while the sun triumphantly claims the sky. A tranquil moment where you can hear your breath, feel your heartbeat, and truly be in the present. Or instead of imagining it, try it, and see how you feel.
Our fast-paced society often overlooks the necessity of these moments. We’ve forgotten the art of solitude, daydreaming, and the sheer joy of ‘doing nothing.’ Instead, meal breaks have turned into silent periods of scrolling, and the night’s dreams are deferred for binge-watching.
However, pausing doesn’t mean halting.
God forbid right?
We’ve been conditioned to believe in productivity hacks, go-go-go get-after-it hustle culture, and something called ‘habit stacking’ are all absolutely necessary for steaming ahead through life and ‘crushing it’.
And some of that is needed, we should be productive because we do need to tie our shoes, put our big-boy and big-girl pants on, and get going. But by taking the time to rest, rejuvenate, and reflect, we inadvertently supercharge ourselves. It’s well established that athletes require rest between rigorous training for optimal muscle growth. Similarly, our minds need a break to function at peak capacity. Academic success stories are replete with tales of students who took time to relax before a big exam, rather than cramming until the eleventh hour. Research has repeatedly shown that those engaging in mindful activities, like meditation or long walks, tend to lead more fulfilled and happy lives.
Consider an experience from a camping trip I took with a friend and our children. His son, an 8-year-old, was a bundle of nerves, constantly fidgeting and distracted. His nails were non-existent and he was beginning to tear at the hair on the sides of his head. He was a ‘gamer’ his dad explained. iPad in hand, he was ready to set off. My daughter saw this and asked for her iPad. I explained she could look out the window instead and make stories up in her head about what she was seeing. She fell asleep. The 3-day trip’s imposed device detox miraculously transformed the anxious boy, who spent the weekend carefree and thoroughly engaged in the activities. The profound impact of simple, unplugged experiences couldn’t be more evident.
Science is clear on the benefits of taking a breather.
- Cognitive Reset: Research from the University of Illinois found that brief diversions from a task can dramatically improve one’s ability to focus on that task for prolonged periods.
- Enhanced Creativity: A study published in Psychological Science revealed that letting our minds wander can boost the process of creative incubation, leading to sudden insights and breakthroughs.
- Better Decision-Making: According to research from the Max Planck Institute for Human Development, taking breaks during prolonged decision-making scenarios can result in more consistent and stable choices.
Throughout history, many prominent figures in the arts and sciences have attributed significant breakthroughs and insights to moments of relaxation, dreams, and times of detachment from their primary work. Here are a few notable instances:
Albert Einstein: The famous physicist often spoke about “thought experiments.” Einstein famously imagined himself riding alongside a light beam, leading to his breakthroughs in the theory of relativity. He also played the violin and took long walks, which he claimed helped him solve some of the most challenging problems.
Salvador Dalí: The surrealist artist used a unique method to tap into his subconscious mind. He would sit with a key in hand, hovering over a plate. As he drifted into a nap, the key would drop, waking him up and allowing him to capture the dreamlike imagery he’d just seen.
Paul McCartney: The Beatles’ song “Yesterday” came to McCartney in a dream. He woke up with the entire melody in his head and initially thought he might be recalling an existing song, but it was an entirely new creation.
Isaac Newton: Newton made some of his significant discoveries while retreating from the University of Cambridge during the Bubonic plague outbreak. Away from his regular environment, he made breakthroughs in calculus, optics, and gravitation.
Archimedes: The ancient Greek scientist was contemplating a difficult problem about volume and density when he took a break to bathe. The displacement of water in his bathtub led him to shout the famous word “Eureka!” meaning “I have found it!”
Stephen King: The master of horror fiction has a distinct method for creating his chilling tales. In his book “On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft,” King discusses his approach to the writing process. After drafting his initial thoughts, he emphasizes the importance of taking a break — often going on long walks to clear his mind. This detachment allows him to return to his work with a fresh perspective, seeing his story as a reader would. He then dives into the revision process, making the story tighter and more polished. This cycle of writing, resting, and revising is repeated until King feels the story is complete.
Kobe Bryant: The late basketball legend was not only known for his incredible skills on the court but also for his holistic approach to the game. Kobe was an advocate for meditation, often talking about its benefits in helping him maintain focus during high-pressure situations in games. He began practicing meditation early in his career and credited it with providing him the mental clarity and calm needed to perform at the highest level.
Observing the younger generation at my local gym, headphones anchored to their ears, hustle culture podcast probably playing, going all out with the weights, it’s clear they’re chasing something they think they’re supposed to chase. Status. Money. Sex. Their shirts shout ‘Eat, Train, Sleep, Repeat’, and I can’t help but think they’re caught up in the grind of the make-believe. If it were up to me, those shirts would have a different vibe altogether: ‘Slow Down and Relax…You’ll Live Longer’.
The next time you go for a walk, consider leaving your phone and headphones at home. Walk, feel what it is to walk and move and see and hear. It’s miraculous when you consider it. What does the ground feel like, what does the air smell like, how is the lighting outside, is the weather cool or cold, there’s a subtle difference, but you have to slow down to feel it, can you feel it?
Have you ever transited in silence? Try it. Do some people-watching instead, really look at them, what are they wearing, what do you think they do for a job? When you drive, feel what it is to drive, do you recall what it felt like the first time you drove, the bumpiness of the car, the way it turned with you, and how the brakes felt at first?
Let your mind wander from time to time and recall what it is like to daydream.
In a world accelerating at an unprecedented pace, many of history’s brightest minds and talents have illuminated the value of deceleration. From Einstein’s leisurely strolls that birthed theories to King’s deliberate pauses that sculpted masterpieces, and Kobe Bryant’s meditative moments that crafted athletic excellence, there lies a profound truth: great achievements often sprout from stillness. As you navigate through the digital maze of notifications, tasks, and distractions, remember that moments of pause can be your most potent asset. Perhaps, in the stillness, you’ll discover clarity, inspiration, or simply the joy of being. So take a moment, breathe, and let the world blur on purpose — sometimes, to move forward, we must first slow down.
Mr. Fireside.
