Why It’s Valuable to Do Things the Slow Way

In a world that’s constantly urging us to do things faster and with less effort, there’s something radical about choosing to do things slowly and carefully.

As internet speeds get faster, microwaves and Instant Pots become ubiquitous, and every task is supposed to be speedy and convenient, it’s ironic that most of us feel rushed and short of time.  This raises our stress levels and makes us even more impatient and desirous of quick results.  But fast food wrecks our health, fast fashion wrecks our environment, and fast fixes don’t work for the really important things.

Taking time to create something over a period of hours instead of minutes is an important part of a simpler life and increases competence, pride, satisfaction, and meaning.

Not that difficult

For generations before us, slow work wasn’t a search for value and creativity in a “full speed ahead” culture.  It was survival.  Just read Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House in the Big Woods.  Growing food, sewing clothes, building, and repairing were essential acts.  Handwriting a letter was the only means of keeping in touch.  If you wanted a sweet treat, you baked it from scratch.

Some of us think that time-consuming is the same as difficult, but that’s not necessarily true.  Writing a letter takes time, but it’s not hard.  Baking bread from scratch takes hours, but it’s not arduous.  Making a counted cross-stitch Christmas stocking can take weeks, but anyone can master the craft.

It’s important to stop thinking that just because something takes time that means it’s difficult and should be left to professionals or factory workers (some of whom might be children or robots).  In fact, we should stop thinking that labeling something “fast” or “convenient” makes it so.  When a new refrigerator requires an app so that alerts and updates can be sent to my phone, that doesn’t strike me as “simple.”  It seems unnecessarily complicated, intrusive, and – yes – time-consuming!

Don’t misunderstand.  I’m not against technology.  I’m currently using my computer to write.  I own a smartphone.  My car reminds me when it’s time to get an oil change.  But there’s a cost to that kind of convenience, and it usually feels like one more thing to manage instead of something that makes life easier.  When our tools demand attention that distracts us from real life, we should probably question that.

Why we should take time

Modern life is busy and full of obligations, and at the end of the week we just want to relax.  But most of us wind up sitting passively and consuming TV, online games, or social media.  Don’t you think we’d be happier if we found something purposeful to do with our time?  We’d be more active and more motivated, yet more refreshed.

Slow work isn’t just about the end result.  It’s about the process.  Stirring a pot of soup as it simmers on the stove, replacing a lost button, or deadheading your rose bushes slows you down and helps you pay attention to your life.

Making things also changes the way you relate to them.  When you understand the effort behind a homemade item, you’re more likely to value it, and less attracted to cheap, disposable goods.

The time-consuming work I’m talking about isn’t necessarily about chores and responsibilities.  It’s about choosing tasks that feel meaningful.  Maybe for you that’s rolling out pie crust, weeding your flower beds, or adding a few more rows to the blanket you’re crocheting.  This isn’t about adding more pressure or expanding your to-do list.  It’s about choosing work that’s absorbing and enjoyable.

And if it doesn’t check those boxes?  Don’t do it, or find ways to do it more efficiently.

Everyone has their own interests and tolerances.  For example, a physical limitation might make it difficult, even painful, to stand for long periods.  You might have toddlers underfoot, or ailing parents to care for, and your ability to take extra time might be less.

Do what works for you and make no apologies.  This is not another reason to compare yourself to others or worry about missing out.  If anything, this reminder to slow down is also about the fact that no one can do it all. 

If some slower tasks appeal to you, but you feel unable to take them on yourself, consider a compromise.  Maybe you can’t grow your own vegetables, but you can patronize a farmers’ market instead of rushing to the grocery store.  You might not have time to learn to play an instrument, but you can support local musicians by attending concerts where they play for you.  In these cases, slowing down lets you increase your community connections and mingle with people who share your interests.

Some might think that doing things manually is archaic or too much like drudgery.  While slower projects might sometimes be about preserving skills and tradition, those aren’t the only reasons to do them.

Instead, think of doing things yourself as a way to be mindful as you connect to your body, your home, and even to your neighbors in ways that mass production can’t.  Work isn’t old-fashioned – it can provide joy and purpose in life.  I’m not suggesting you have to dig irrigation ditches or fell trees to build a log cabin!  Today, we have more freedom to choose work we enjoy.

How to begin

Many of us are out of practice at doing things by hand.  But the only way to get better is to just do it.

You can start very simply.  For example, you don’t have to make an entire meal from scratch if you’re not used to doing much cooking, but why not make your own salad dressing instead of using something from a bottle?  Or cook up some lentils – they’re fast and easy, highly nutritious, and yummy over a small baked potato or topped with a fried egg.  Even taking time to wash dishes by hand can be a soothing and meditative solo task, or a chance for connection and conversation with a partner. 

Maybe you don’t have time to write an entire newsy letter, but could you write a thank you note?  Three or four heartfelt sentences would do the trick.  A friend recently sent me a letter she wrote over a couple of weeks, adding a sentence or two every day about what was going on in her life.  It was fun to read!  Or jot a quick note you can slip into a family member’s lunch bag.  Give them a little surprise in your own handwriting.

Even if you’ve never crocheted before, a lap blanket is perfect for a beginner, and once you get into the rhythm of stitches with a large hook on super-bulky yarn, you’ll find it soothing and satisfying.

Why not rig a simple clothesline and air-dry your sheets for sun-warmed fragrance and wind-softened texture?  You could still use the dryer for everything else.  Or simply put down your phone, pick up a mug of tea and a book, and make your way out to the porch or patio for some fresh air and reading that doesn’t make you feel like you need to compete, compare, or keep up.

Remember, this isn’t about trying to “keep busy,” becoming a “super homemaker,” or proving anything to anybody.  That level of obligation and stress would defeat the purpose.  Simply take time to do a few more things for yourself, and savor the feelings of pleasure, usefulness, and fulfillment you gain.

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About the Author: Karen Trefzger is a writer, singer, teacher, wife, mother, and grandmother who has been choosing a simpler life for over 20 years. She is the author of several books about minimalism, and blogs at Maximum Gratitude Minimal Stuff.