Stop now, I want to get off

IF you have ever felt stressed by the speed of the world today, then don’t worry, the slow movement is here!

The slow movement is a global, cultural movement that promotes calm human activity. It proposes to take control of the time, giving priority to activities that affect the development of people. The slow approach seeks a balance between technology and the most essential human elements.  

The slow movement encourages simple activities like reading a book (slow books) or travelling and connecting in a deeper way with the country visited (slow travel). There are slow cities and Italy leads the way with cities honouring traditions and traditional ways of doing things and valuing them.

Slow cities have less traffic, less noise and fewer crowds.

Mallorca has been part of this movement with its own slow food movement, Slow Food Illes Balears, which was formed in  2007. 

This non-profit association brings together artisan producers, farmers, fisherfolk, bakers, agronomists, scientists, cooks, creatives, educators and journalists who all share a common interest: responsible consumption which embodies the slow way.

Marc Masmiquel is a graphic designer based in Palma who is bringing his own ideas to the movement, that of slow design.  

“Slow design celebrates diversity and pluralism and is part of the process involving creation and creativity. 

“My work is not just to create a design for a customer but to go one step further, to encourage and find happiness and balance using the qualities of sensitivity, humility and above all, time.”

The slow movement allows us to become aware of how our way of living in the fast lane, consuming the way we do has an impact on our very being, causing stress, depression and other imbalances. 

Perhaps 2016 could be the year we slow down and take a good look at our way of life, stepping back in time to savour, just a little.