The Slowness Movement

February 14, 2012

Last month, the Parkville Adult Book Club read In Praise of Slowness: Challenging the Cult of Speed by Carl Honore. I have to admit, I am not a huge non-fiction reader—not enough zombies or strange dystopian happenings for my taste. That being said, I truly enjoyed reading this book. It is an interesting overview of how we have become obsessed with time and insistent on filling every moment of our lives in hot pursuit of that elusive and sometimes unidentifiable something.

Honore writes in a clear voice with pointed anecdotes that made me think about my own dash through life. I too have become caught up in the whirlwind and often decry that there is never enough time. As a society, we seem to equate busy with important and wear our overwrought schedules as a badge of honor. As Honore extols the virtue of the Slow Movement, he also discusses our love and need for speed in our lives. He readily admits that not all speed is bad and uses the Internet as an example. I would agree. I’ve become addicted to instant access and don’t want to live without it.

Ultimately, it all comes down to balance. The art is in figuring out what is important to us, making priorities, learning how to let some things go, and being okay with it. This year, I will probably not lose weight or learn a new language—resolutions from New Year’s past. I will, however, attempt to slow down and be present in and enjoy each moment.

MCPL has many resources available to help prioritize and organize.

~Karin A.
Parkville Branch