Hey,

I’ve become pretty good at catching myself when I sway to the rhythm of the cult of productivity. I’ll clock when I’m itching and twitching about not working enough or maximising my time with opportunities and efficiencies. I know that that shit doesn’t serve me and it’s not a way of living that feels right or helpful or respectful.

But it comes up in other ways, that cult of productivity. Ways that I’m still learning to spot and address.

I’m in Madeira — have been for almost four weeks, will be for another two. I’ve done some nice stuff, seen some cool places, had a great time… and I have this regular, nagging voice in my head that says I should be out doing more, seeing more.

I should hike.
I should swim in the sea every day.
I should wake up early and greet the morning sun.

But, uh… why? Why? If I’m not doing those things naturally and I’m bullying myself about not doing them, I clearly don’t want to do them. I’m just putting some imaginary pressure on myself, from some imaginary place, because I believe… I don’t know? That it makes me a better person? That it makes me interesting? That it means I’m doing it ‘right’?

I add things into my life when I want to do them and when I feel a genuine internal compulsion to do so. The life I live now is different to the one I lived one year ago, but none of the changes have come from me telling myself I’m a piece of shit for relaxing indoors on a Saturday instead of going out to climb a mountain.

Damn, I mean, how much of my time do I spend telling myself it’s okay to work in a way that doesn’t look like the societal ‘good’, ‘perfect’, or ‘professional’ example… only to then berate myself for not spending my leisure time as the mirror image of some societal ideal.

That’s the thing with cults, I guess, they’re pretty persistent in their recruitment. Keep up the good fight, dear reader. We won’t succumb to the pressure. We will live life as slowly as we damn well please.

Slow down guide

Need a little help moving slower?

Ease your way out of Friday afternoon with this newsletter, a nice cup of something, and a little background music. Steal my setup if you aren't sure where to start.

After I press send, I’ll be heading across the road to enjoy an espresso at The Old Pharmacy, one of Ponta do Sol’s sweetest café/restaurants. They know what they’re doing and, although I’m missing some more explorative and out-there options from English roasteries, I’m pretty content with a bold brew made with Portuguese flair. Maybe there’s a pastry in it for me, too. Let’s just see.

Something a little different, music-wise, this week. 4:41 of soft, echoing piano, DIY recording-style so you can hear the clunking squeak of a pressed pedal and the occasional cold, thick depression of a key. Benjamin Amaru’s brigette r. (thank you for everything) is practically begging to be enjoyed, lazily, with a cup of coffee in hand.

I hope you’ll take him up on the offer.

Take it easy,