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Slowing Down

RebeccaStevenson'sRebeccaStevenson·Nov 29, 2019
Posted in:Elpha Climate
As we head into the New Years resolution season, I've been pondering how to reduce my car usage. It's a bit chagrining to think about how many short-distance trips I end up taking because it saves twenty minutes or a half hour vs walking to my destination. Am I really that strapped for time? When I do walk, I always end up appreciating the chance to think, the impossibility of even trying to multi-task for a little while, the absence of things pulling at my attention.
amrosnik'samrosnik·Dec 11, 2019
I hear you. I think there's a few things here that are actually bigger than your personal experience going on...like, for example, the social standard of "not having enough time", because the way work weeks are structured is increasingly straining modern life. Also, many cities (even larger ones) have imperfect public transportation methods. And then there's how all this weighs down on an individual's mental health, as it seems to affect you...it sounds like you enjoy the "mindful" moments of walking, but you feel pressed for time when you do it. I like to take the bus rather than, say, a ride share (I don't have a car; I live in San Francisco, need I say more) because then I tend to have more space to read (or catch up on text messages)...but sometimes I also dislike how long it takes. I don't know you, so I don't want to try to figure out what you might need to do for mental health/self-care, but maybe this is a good opportunity to ask yourself what you spend your time on, what winds up getting your attention, what you'd rather spend your time and attention on, and if those goals are even feasible given life constraints.
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