Introduction to the Need for Slowing Down
- The quote "These times are urgent, let us slow down" from Nigerian poet, writer, and philosopher Bayo Akomolafe, initially caused restlessness and annoyance, but ultimately led to a realization of the importance of slowing down in a rapidly changing world 10s.
- A personal story is shared about finding out the importance of slowing down, which began around ten years ago when operating at full speed with a busy family life and a stressful job, dealing with challenging issues such as the loss of biodiversity and climate change 2m6s.
The Consequences of a Fast-Paced Lifestyle
- To cope with the stress and challenges, the strategy was to run away, literally, by frequently going out and running into the forest, which eventually led to training for a first marathon, but resulted in burnout and the realization of outrunning oneself 4m37s.
- The burnout led to a wake-up call, where it was discovered that the breathing pattern was very fast, very deep, and high in the chest, almost like hyperventilating, even when lying in bed, which prompted a decision to pull the brakes and make some serious changes 6m15s.
Recovery and Reconnection with Nature
- After taking time off to recover, two important things were explored: the breathing issue and finding alternative ways to connect with nature, which led to subscribing to a course with the organization "The Boss" to learn ancient skills and knowledge, such as making fire, identifying edible plants, and building shelters 8m30s.
- The journey of slowing down involved relearning how to breathe and finding new ways to connect with nature, which had a positive impact on both body and mind, and also allowed for a more meaningful connection with family, particularly children 10m30s.
The Practice of Sitting in Nature
- The practice of sitting in nature, known as a "sit spot," had a significant impact, involving simply observing the surroundings, but initially felt difficult due to a tendency to be constantly active, requiring a significant adjustment to sit still for extended periods of time, such as half an hour or more 10s.
- During one of these sit spot experiences, after dozing off and waking up, there was a heightened awareness of the surroundings, with observations of various animals, such as a woodpecker, mice, a squirrel, and a wild boar, feeling a sense of belonging to the environment, which was a transformative experience 42s.
Transformative Experiences in Nature
- This transformative experience led to changes in personal life, including spending more time in the forest, not just running, but also sitting or wandering, and adopting the "fox walk" practice, which involves moving quietly and slowly to avoid disturbing other forms of life, allowing for new observations and discoveries 2m6s.
- The changes also extended to professional life, including becoming involved in teaching activities and restarting a project with a focus on finding nature-based solutions and working on nature-inclusive future perspectives, driven by a deep sense of connectedness experienced in the forest 4m6s.
The Concept of Resonance and Its Role in Life
- The concept of "resonance," as described by German sociologist Hartmut Rosa, refers to the feeling of being deeply touched by something or someone, leading to a strong sense of connection and adding meaning to life, which is a personal and unpredictable experience that cannot be planned or controlled, but can be facilitated by making room for it to happen 6m8s.
- Slowing down is seen as a way to make room for resonance to occur, and is not about being passive, but rather about being open to new experiences and connections, as quoted by Bioaccumulate, "These times are urgent, let us slow down" 8m10s.
Slowing Down as a Path to Discovery and Connection
- The concept of slowing down involves lingering in unfamiliar places, taking time to listen deeply, asking different questions, and reconnecting with surroundings and oneself, which can potentially lead to discovering answers that were already present 10s.
- This idea is rooted in personal experience, and it is acknowledged that individual resonance with the concept may vary, but it is likely that many people can relate to feeling overwhelmed or lost at times 42s.
- Slowing down can be a powerful approach, and simple activities like a sitz bath or a fox walk can be surprising in terms of the new things they allow people to notice and see, offering a potential solution for those feeling overwhelmed 2m6s.
