This article is an excerpt from the Shortform book guide to "The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down" by Haemin Sunim. Shortform has the world's best summaries and analyses of books you should be reading.
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Why does it feel like we’re always busy? How can you slow down in a fast-paced world?
In Zen Buddhist teacher Haemin Sunim’s book, The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down, he explains why people today feel overwhelmed by busyness. If you want to feel less busy, you need to change your perspective and stop blaming society.
Here’s Sunim’s advice for slowing down in a fast-paced society.
Why Do We Feel So Busy All the Time?
Today, the sensation of being always busy has become a common complaint. Haemin suggests that this feeling of busyness and restlessness are not objective truths, but a reflection on our state of mind: He argues that the world itself is not inherently busy but that the chaos of our minds makes it feel busy. The more cluttered our minds are, the more chaotic our world seems. Therefore, according to Haemin, the key to experiencing calmness and tranquility lies in calming your mind rather than trying to control the world around you.
(Shortform note: In a culture that often equates busyness with success and self-worth, calming one’s mind can be particularly challenging. While Haemin focuses on controlling mental chaos, Brigid Schulte takes a different approach in her book Overwhelmed. Schulte emphasizes managing time effectively and setting clear boundaries between work and personal life to minimize feelings of busyness. Furthermore, she advocates for embracing leisure without guilt or fear of being unproductive, challenging the notion that busyness equates to worthiness.)
What Is the Value of Slowing Down?
Haemin argues that if you want to feel less busy, you need to intentionally slow down, which means living in the present moment. In doing so, he explains, you’re better able to observe, understand, and appreciate what you might otherwise overlook in the rush of daily commitments and challenges.
For example, consider a routine activity like commuting. Typically, when you commute, you’re focused on reaching the destination quickly (future thinking), leading to potential frustration or stress when you hit traffic or have to stop for gas. This mindset can result in overlooking details of the experience that could offer value or enjoyment.
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Here's what you'll find in our full The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down summary:
- Why we feel continuously busy and overwhelmed
- How embracing slowness can lead to increased self-awareness and contentment
- The importance of curbing your enthusiasm when pursuing your passion
