We have all been guilty of at least one of these: losing our cool over slow internet speed or a late delivery from Lazada or Shopee, complaining about the horrible congestion during peak hours, resorting to cup noodles because we have no time for lunch on a hectic workday, and, perhaps, most outrageous of all, binge-watching Netflix at double-speed because we are too busy for entertainment but do not want to sacrifice leisure time.

These behaviours are symptoms of the fast-living syndrome.  Many of us even unknowingly suffer from “time sickness”, a term coined by Larry Dossey, a physician and writer, which is the pervasive belief that time is constantly slipping away and perpetually insufficient. Why do we always find ourselves in a never-ending rush? Is fast living really the way to go? 

While it is undeniable that a fast-paced lifestyle can yield various advantages, such as increased efficiency, growth, and a heightened sense of accomplishment, distressing trends are emerging. These include children as young as five grappling with stress-related conditions including insomnia and eating disorders, a drastic decline in average human attention span, one in three Malaysians suffering from mental health issues, and over half of Malaysian workers wrestling with burnout. These trends suggest it is high time for us to re-evaluate the significance we have attributed to living life in the fast lane.

How did we come to develop a yearning for speed and disdain for slowness? In ancient Greek and Roman cultures, leisure held a place of great reverence, serving as a window for the flourishing of intellectual, cultural, and philosophical pursuits. The tables turned in the era of industrial capitalism. Under the rule of the bourgeoisie, we witnessed a significant shift in power dynamics. This period strongly emphasised individualism, hard work, and productivity, all to the advantage of the powerful. 

In contemporary society, the control that was formerly imposed by capitalist forces was internalised. Consequently, a new form of power operating through the mechanisms of self-control and self-optimisation came to the forefront, as noted by Byung-Chul Han in his book “Burnout Society”.

In other words, we now live in a world where we are both the master and slave to our own selves. The dichotomy that extols fast living and relentless productivity as virtues while stigmatising slow living and leisure as vices is so deeply entrenched in our society that it has become nearly synonymous with the truth.

However, as we rush through life, striving to achieve our life, career, and relationship goals by a certain age, we often spread ourselves too thin, leaving little time for friends and family. We seek quick intimacy with our partners and prefer the most time-efficient forms of entertainment. Perhaps the most ironic of all, as Carl Honoré, author of “In Praise of Slow”, has described, we even desire the fastest solution to slowing down in life.

“Slowness” frequently conjures negative images such as waiting in long queues, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and unproductive work processes. It sometimes also carries the negative connotation of societal regression, suggesting a reluctance to embrace modern conveniences.

However, slowing down in life does not necessarily mean getting the short end of the stick compared to a fast-paced lifestyle. Slowing down does not entail a return to a non-technological era marked by resistance to change. It also does not require giving up on modern conveniences like fast food, rapid transportation, or instant communication. Nor does it imply turning a blind eye to career opportunities.

Slow living is an intentional and conscious choice to embrace an unhurried and reflective way of life. It is in Carl Honoré’s word, having control on “the rhythms of your own life”.

In doing so, we grant ourselves the time to recharge and strike a balance in the hyper-accelerated life, consequently leading to greater productivity, improved overall wellbeing, more prudent decision-making, higher quality of life and relationships, and even a reduced risk of heart disease.  

A good starting point is to become less neurotic about time, refraining from multitasking when it is appropriate, such as during meals, while spending quality time with loved ones, or while resting, and having the courage to embrace moments of boredom and be comfortable with them.

Persuading Malaysians of the merits of slowing down is merely a start. A transition towards a mentally healthy society that sees the beauty and value of slow living will remain a challenge until we overhaul the regulations that influence nearly every aspect of life including governance, economy, workplace, education, healthcare, and more. 

In a world hurtling forward at breakneck speed, it is time for us to join the movement advocating the value of slow living and unleash our long-suppressed inner sloth. – October 18, 2023.  

* Chew Zun Yee reads The Malaysian Insight.