SUNDAY SLOWDOWN | the art of slow living
“To be slow means that you govern the rhythms of your life. You are in control of deciding how fast you have to go.”
- Carlo Petrini, founder of the Slow Food movement
When one thinks of New York City, slowing down is not the first thing that comes to mind. It has well worn reputation of having a frenetic and fast pace, of having to be always on the move. It's a bustling city, a place where people are hustling. Places to go, money to make, people to meet. And yet, I always find small pockets of stillness, both made and found.
Sitting by a window at the Hotel Chelsea cafe, savoring a slow breakfast, reading the paper, and writing down dreams and ideas as the city begins to come alive. A leisurely walk through the wide, tree-lined streets of the West Village can be surprisingly quiet. Stepping off the crowded streets of Soho into a hushed art gallery pop-up to see a friends work of art. Taking a thirty minute silent meditation and sips of matcha at a Bowry Street pop-up. Retreating back to the hotel early in the evening and watching a movie in the comforts of a well-appointed room.
These quiet moments are easy to miss if you're not looking, but if you stay present with a soft gaze and an open heart, New York City will reveal its secret sanctuaries. Slowness doesn't have to mean retreating from the world, it can be a way of finding calm within the chaos, an energy that connects us back to the vibrancy of our inner self.
This week, wherever you are, I invite you to find your own still point in this restless world. A moment of quiet that's yours alone to savor and be still.
X Alisa