By Jolma Debbarma
September 10, 2023
I frequently observe people rushing and hurrying on public transportation, such as buses and the metro, without taking a moment to pause. This often leads me to wonder, “Where are they off to next?” and contemplate where my own destination should be.
In today’s fast-paced world, whether it pertains to academics, job searches, or the demands of work where employees are required to work long hours, meet tight deadlines, and juggle multiple tasks simultaneously, many of us find it challenging to maintain our daily schedules. Amidst this rush, it’s common to feel disoriented, overwhelmed, and potentially experience anxiety, stress, or burnout.
Life has become increasingly competitive and fast-paced, which sometimes leads to a fear of missing out on things, thinking about not doing enough, and, at the same time, feeling like everyone else is doing so much more. We are all racing against time to meet our goals and dreams so that when we look back on our lives, we have a feeling of satisfaction.
Our society sets a certain agenda about life and being successful in life, which can be so stressful for some people. In our society, we place so much value on getting things done that everyone is moving at an unsustainable speed to do it all. In all of this, we sometimes forget the importance of slowing down.
Slowing down is a practice that involves paying full attention to the present moment without judgment and being mindful. It involves recognizing the value of living in the moment rather than constantly rushing through life. It can be practiced through small steps such as meditation, connecting oneself with nature, taking a long walk, or watching a sunset in the evening, savouring things instead of rushing through them, whether it’s enjoying a meal, sipping a cup of tea, or taking a walk.
What I meant by “slowing down” is taking your time and fully embracing the present moment. I hope that even in the midst of this rush and hustle, we can take a moment to appreciate life. Maybe it’s time to do some things that you’ve been putting off for a while, like painting, playing a musical instrument that you haven’t picked up in a while, cleaning your room, or maybe going on a long drive. We don’t always have to stick to what we know. We always have the choice to change and redo things if we’re not happy with them. Sometimes, all we can do for ourselves is giving ourselves the time we need: a break from work, from people, maybe even in this time to figure things out.
Jolma Debbarma is a student writer for yakhrai.
