Reclaiming life ~ Why I choose to live As Slow As Possible

Asap. The acronym is used by all of us several times in a day – be it in personal chats or professional ones. Standing for  “As Soon As Possible”, it reflects our generation – eager, restless, wanting more, wanting it fast, prefer it now. However, I recently received a forward where Asap was defined as – As Slow As Possible, As Sincere As Possible, As Sustainable As Possible… and I simply loved it. It resonated so deeply with the state of mind that I am striving to move towards.

The Digital overload

Our mobiles have almost become a part of our body. It’s the sixth finger that seems to be stuck on our hands. Before a flight the last thing most people do is check their Whatsapp, during the flight browse things or watch movies and as soon as the network is back – they are back to checking messages. In the lift, out of five people – four will be checking their notifications. It’s just become a way of life. And we have normalized it – not realizing some important facts.

First, every time that you check your mobile, even to swipe a single message, it takes trillions of cells in your body to be fired up and get the action done. Can you imagine the amount of energy each of us is wasting each day, through the simple act of being connected to our mobile and sometimes, in turn, disconnecting with how our body is feeling. Aches, pains, respiratory issues, mental breakdowns, diabetes – everything is normalized when it should not be. A rested body, with enough energy flow should not have any diseases. A rested and calm mind will be in a state of well-being. Stress is not normal and why should we feel it?!

Second, I am realizing the more and more busy I am with my mobile phone, the less is the need in me to relate to people. To forge deep relationships, to take time out to have face to face conversations. Of the hundreds of notifications barely two or three even matter to me, and yet there most of us are – glued as if our life depends on this tiny idiot box, which is taking us away from so much that really matters. One of the most important being real connections, relationships – with the self and others.

Third, and this really alarmed me. There are so many chats going on at the same time. In one group someone had passed away and there are condolences. On another, a birthday is being celebrated. In between, family messages. And work. My mind is actually processing so much information and emotions at once that it seems to be numbing. Many people tell me they no longer feel as happy as they used to, or even as upset – because our minds are simply becoming information processors. What should create deep churning within us is doing nothing because it’s one more message among so many. What should cause deep love or gratitude is just a passing emotion because it is just one more message among so many.

“I’m choosing to slow down, seeking depth in every moment and relationship. Not all Whatsapp messages hold the same weight – true connection matters. Limiting my mobile use, I’m unplugging to bring my mind where my body is,” says Megha Bajaj.

Embracing As slow as possible

Personally, I am choosing to slow down. To take things as slow as possible. I enjoy depth and seek it in every moment and relationship. What is the point of hundreds of messages from people I barely know – and how can that be given the same amount of importance as a beautiful message from someone who means everything to me. I am realizing the immense need to limit my mobile usage and unplug myself to bring my mind where my body is.

For a few months I have been striving to live life as slowly as possible. And here are some beautiful shifts I see. I don’t just eat my food, I relish it. It’s no longer just a necessary act of nourishment – I am chewing, I am moving the little morsel all around, I am feeling the burst of flavors. The simple act of daily eating has become a meditation.

I have taken to painting and you can find me at nights on my balcony with my easel and colors. Earlier this time was used for restlessly browsing – shopping for things I don’t need and consuming content that added nothing to me. I have a beautiful sea view and for several days I am mesmerized by the changing colors – how the sunset never looks the same, how the star formation always reminds me of my childhood. I feel every stroke of the brush against my canvas… and often, in peace I find myself humming as I create paintings. They are extremely amateurish, and it just doesn’t matter. The act of creating them makes me feel so happy and rested that I am able to sleep the moment my head hits the pillow. It’s meditative.

My yoga has become so much deeper. Earlier, I would start planning my day in my head while I was on the mat. My mind was used to constantly “mental browsing”. Now I feel every posture and stretch at the core of my being. I feel the inhalations. I feel the exhalations. I feel the extension of my spine, the expansion of my lungs and the flow of energy around me. Everything is more deeply rooted, more meaningful.

My relationships have improved. Since I no longer allow myself to use the mobile much on Sunday, I make more plans with family and friends than ever before. I ask, I listen, I feel, I share, I express. I look into the eyes of people to understand what they are thinking, feeling – and listen to even what is not being said. All of which I was completely missing over the mobile interactions. It fulfills a part of my soul which I did not even realize was feeling so incomplete.

Final thoughts

I have moved a lot of my WhatsApp groups to Archive where every notification is not shown to me and unless I choose to visit the group, messages won’t bother me. This simple act has helped so much because else I was constantly reading things that have no relevance to me. I am more focused on my work group and family group – and chats that matter than nonstop being bombarded by unnecessary messages. I feel efficient and rested.

I feel so much closer to myself, others, and the world by simply going as slow as possible. By disconnecting to devices to connect with Life around me. There is more to us and our life than our mobiles and all the bombarding of information happening. Let’s reclaim it! And yes, this lets do Asap!