THE SAFEST SPACE FOR MY UNSOLICITED OPINIONS

As a part of the adapting generation in this driven fast-moving world whose patience towards any delay is approaching zero, I tend to rush things as if there’s never enough time. With the surrounding craze and, probably, societal pressure to follow the pursuit of consistent productivity, I can’t just fathom the idea of filling each minute without doing something, also the “weird concept” of time that feels it speeding up while we are on a long vacation but slowing down when we are under periods of intense work.

Sometimes I find myself absurdly obsessed with being consistently productive without even realizing it. Making sure to tick all my daily tasks at work, check-listing regular chores at home, feeling guilty if I’m not replying to group chats on time or taking a bit of self-care with my favorite face masks in the middle of endlessly pinging urgent notifications. Even most of the time, I get caught up with my own piles of what-to-read-and-watch-list just to feel pressured by myself to finish them all in a certain limited time, only to lose the excitement at the end of the day. It’s getting ridiculous. I feel bad for all the books I bought this year—also movies and TV shows I put on my wishlist—that I haven’t read or seen yet! It is baffling that my focus has to shift to the next thing which should be done, while I am still occupied with the things I have on my plate. What a simple way to burn myself out.

Until a couple of months ago, I found a nice book: The Little Book of Sloth Philosophy by Jennifer McCartney. An adorable and cute one, I might say. I’m glad I did read this. One day I read the book at home while enjoying a hot cup of cappuccino after work; then another day I read it by the garden in my neighborhood. I was introduced to the wisdom of sloths and phrases like “slothify your wardrobe” or “slothful bliss”. I really enjoyed every minute of reading it slowly.

The book tells stuff we have actually already known: how to slow down, how to enjoy life, how it’s alright to be just the way you are, and other advice you can find in any other book, but I personally love the sloth angle. Funny, lighthearted, relaxing. Though it’s highly encouraged to engage with community and make our voices heard, it is also important to unwind. We can’t control everything. It is okay to just sit, listen, observe, and just be present.

As I’m now trying to be mindful like a sloth, realising forced productivity is a trap, I do not see why I have to finish this blog post just because I have to conclude it to be considered productive.

Kezia