Thirtyfor30: There is more to life than increasing its speed

Once upon a time, the young and adventurous Pat took early flights to Kalibo, slept in Roxas City, and took a bus to Iloilo City the following day; stayed a day for quick fieldwork. The next day was no different; I rode to Miagao and slept in San Jose, Antique, and back in Iloilo by nightfall. For those familiar with Western Visayas or Philippines geography, you'd know this route is exasperatingly long. I've been there and loved this lifestyle a lot. I saw different places, and tasted different cultures and traditions all for free. I go home to Cebu every weekend only to get clean clothes and fly again. This lasted for weeks and I never complained; I wished it never ended.

Today, a slow and steady life fills me with unfathomable joy and peace, the kind that grounds me no matter how difficult life gets.

I bet a lot are trying to learn how to slow down. I started by making sure I didn't overwork myself. I work to the bone on weekdays but weekends are untouchables; they're for rest and leisure, family and friends. Weekends in my hometown look like this: sleeping 7-9 hours and waking up to the sound of Engelbert Humperdinck and Tom Jones serenading our home and to the smell of home-cooked smoking hot meals cooked by my parents. After lunch, I'd read a few pages of a book assigned for the weekend and usually fall asleep while reading. When my nap (I don't know if 2-3 hours of sleep is still called a nap HAHA) is over, I'd quickly dress up for a quick afternoon run and back home for another sumptuous meal. In between are nonstop chikas with my mother. 🤣

There is nothing wrong with always speeding up but after all the years of living in it, I realized it wasn't for me. I used to fear that I might miss a lot if I was not in the fast lane; I was wrong. Today, slowing down whenever I can revitalizes my body, mind, and spirit; give me all the energy I need to continue thriving come the new week.

Hope you had a good weekend's rest! I slept 12hrs total today! 😂😁

_{Note: Cover photo from Canva with minor adjustments}