why everything I knew about productivity is wrong… & what’s the way forward

[@jade_be_jeweled6845]

One quote that had always stuck with me from Gretchen Rubin’s book “The Happiness Project” is: “You can do anything you want, but not everything.”

[@thecozytita]

Wow! I am actually rereading this book along with her Happier at Home. ♥️

[@LaReinaAlondra]

Slow productivity means I'm taking baby steps to be who/where I want to be. Even if it's a baby step, it's still a step and I'll still reach my destination...eventually.

[@HannahMarieee]

Exactly 🙌🏻

[@karlasharairodriguezramire7259]

Love it

[@haleydaye7246]

Sames! ❤️

[@thenoobalmighty8790]

What a stupid comment

[@annlynngarviefinley5581]

My Dad died less than 2 weeks before his Four Thousand Weeks were up. Proof. Gone. I wasn't expecting that. Obviously, neither was he. He had left his To-do list and his vitamins laid out on his kitchen table (why he took the vitamins out of their bottles and lined them up in a row on the table, I will now never know but I love him more now for this quirk). I happened upon this when I went to clear out his house, his life. It became seared into my mind that we think we're going to get another day, but what if we don't? I have completely changed what earns a place of honor on my own To-do list now. I traded in wealthy for well-thy. So much happier now.

[@luvvreni]

wow i will definitely keep this in mind. thank you for sharing and i’m sorry for your loss ❤️

[@annlynngarviefinley5581]

@@luvvreni thank you. It’s so easy to get swept away by the swift current of life but I’m making an effort to slow down, prioritize and focus on what is truly important to me these days. Live vibrantly

[@melarie205]

im so sorry:(

[@himomimfamous]

I’m sorry for your loss. May you find peace ❤️

[@CrystalEyes83]

I don’t want to sound cheesy but this video arrived at perfect divine timing to me. I’ve been trying to stick to my to do lists, my journaling, my responsibilities, my friendships, my family, my finances and everything on this god given Earth but nothing has helped me feel I’m control or accomplished with every tick I check off on the to do list. It just hasn’t been working for me and I’ve been deeply unhappy. When I had my ‘family/friends time, or my ‘me time’ or my ‘self care time’, I didn’t even WANT to do them anymore. I had no energy or interest in my loved ones OR myself and it has become clear to me that THIS ISN’T RIGHT. If I’m doing all these organised things on my to do lists to improve my life and my life isn’t improving then why am I killing myself to do them? I’m not living. This isn’t living a life or how it should be. Your video is literally my divine intervention and has perfectly aligned with what I knew inside but was ignoring. THANK YOU🙏 As always I’m here with you on this journey and my core, my essence just knows this is right. 🌸✨

[@baarbaramac]

Commenting so you can see the likes :))

[@NS-iy2ul]

same ❤

[@AB-kj6kc]

I feel the same way.

[@CrystalEyes83]

@@baarbaramac awww thank you 😊 🙏

[@beforeigo16]

THIS!!

[@Jassie172]

1 calendar blocking 2 minimize distraction 3 find productivity apps 4 find a routine 5 embrace stillness 6 value deep rest

[@DishWithDina]

Thank you 😊

[@cool.glimmer91]

I have a few observations from the video (longgg post ahead): 1. To answer what slow productivity is for me: It is a way to be more aware of myself and understand my limits in what I can do at a given point of time. This could mean me crushing through work one day, only being able to make my bed and scroll on my phone another day, and sometimes intentionally having a break day. Sometimes I could be doing more than I should, or even less, but I am aware and willingly signing up myself to do it, and of course scheduling rest accordingly. From a big picture point of view, it also means to regularly revisit my plans and seeing what I'm still interested in doing and what doesn't interest me anymore to be able to focus on what's most important. Even if that means doing more sometimes in order to figure out what works. In short, slow productivity is a balance between intentional planning and going with the flow. 2. I have been starting to embrace slow productivity recently, without even realizing. At the start of this year, I realized my issues with time management and getting things done seem similar to those who experience executive function issues. I don't know if I have issues with executive function or not, but that realization has shifted my perspective a bit in planning how I go about my day. I give more time to a task and schedule longer breaks. However, I'm also aware that no matter how much I try to plan days consistently, each day will end up being drastically different from the other depending on my energy and mood. So that's where the going with the flow comes in handy. 3. What is interesting to me is that the tips mentioned for slow productivity are basically tips we've heard in most productivity videos. So the main difference is not the tools but the mindset with which you use the tools. In the traditional productivity sense, calendar blocking could lead to an overpacked calendar with no time set for rest. However in slow productivity, the same technique can lead to a balanced calendar, with blocks for both work and rest. Very interesting how a mindset shift can change how you approach a technique! 4. I don't think your previous notions of productivity were entirely wrong. To me, the earlier videos were part of a different phase of your life, and now seems like a different phase with shifts in priorities. Due to this, the older techniques don't seem to be as helpful anymore which is okay, changing systems to suit you is required once in a while! Good luck on your journey of slow productivity, looking forward to future videos :D

[@amywhoknits]

Absolutely loved your observations and completely agree! Really appreciate your nuanced approach to slow productivity.

[@khalilahd.]

I love that you’re always trying to evolve and find a better system for you and your current needs. It’s not easy to adjust but I love how open you are about it 💛

[@thenoobalmighty8790]

Omg RIDICULOUS. YOU follow someone for years then they say they may have had it all WRONG. OMG what a waste of my time RIDICULOUS

[@thenoobalmighty8790]

@Valeria Kostyukhina omg yes i recognise her name, she makes a lot of nooby comments

[@LiahYoo]

You are CHERISHED 💜

[@vyshnasunil4566]

Hey! This concept of slow productivity kinda reminded me of your slow down skincare❤

[@ALifeofLearning]

I am so happy more people are speaking up against the productivity rush on a deeper level. It is so crazy how we have all collectively been brainwashed into thinking we can make the most of our lives by just trying to fit as much work as possible in the time that we have on earth 🙃 Really hope a societal shift is coming and we will start valuing relaxation, joy and genuine connection more

[@IzzyInkpen]

For me, a big part of slow living is acknowledging that we can't do this alone. Something I've noticed about productivity rhetoric - even within your videos - is that it's so hyper-individualised. It's all about personal goals and how you spend your personal time to get work done, so that cultivating relationships becomes just one of the things you have to fit into your life. But humans are essentially social creatures and we achieve, or more importantly, *live* more when we grow things together. (And actually I think that community can easily go beyond the human.) Since I've started focusing on cultivating my relationships to the people, beings, places around me, slowly and consciously instead of rushing things to be Productive or Valuable, I might not get as "much" done but hell, I am leaps and bounds happier. I think this is something particularly fruitful for me to think about because I'm an activist and surprisingly, that makes answering the question "what's important to you?" very difficult. There's the things I'm passionate about - music, writing, science fiction - and then there's the things I feel ethically obligated (but not in a bad way) to do - campaigning, studying and educating in environmental activism. Remembering that "i" am always a "we" doesn't simplify prioritising - quite the opposite in fact - but it does root me in a purpose that reminds me that "i" am both very small and very much more than just what this single human body can achieve in its lifetime.

[@lizz83]

yes yes yes this is so important. making time to connect with other people is so necessary- no matter how happy i am with my own life, i am not alone in it. i want to share!! goodness shared is goodness multiplied :)

[@soniya4447]

I've been an avid viewer for a few years now and I remember, especially during the beginning of the pandemic, I went through a spiral of being obsessed with productivity. But what I have realized is that the problem is not productivity, but actually the neoliberal capitalist society we have to function in in order to survive. The emphasis on productivity is simply a system of this capitalistic system we live in that prioritizes outputs and demands labor and promotes exploitation. By understanding it is a systemic issue, and not simply the individual's fault or mindset, we can move beyond coming up with individualistic solutions and work towards creating a just society that prioritizes happiness and community well-being, etc.

[@TilikaVispute]

I remember going “slow living” last year and again going “full speed” last three months .. personally I feel there’s always going to be certain pace needed from us through life .. so we have to balance when it’s go go time and when it’s very slow slow time… I hope that made sense lol ☺️💜

[@perpendicularmouse]

It does make sense! Adjusting your pace to what you need at the moment or want

[@TilikaVispute]

@@perpendicularmouse exactly… ☺️💜✨

[@MituDjakarian]

I've been waiting for this moment for years :) I've followed you for a while and even though you presented insightful advice, I also felt you were on a full-speed ride to burnout. I saw you analysing every moment of your day and trying to optimise every second of it. It's amazing that you have such a strong will and discipline, but alas, we can't do anything without true rest. But don't worry! Your life until now was not wasted. Try to detach yourself from the idea that your life was not meaningful before, just because you still haven't had come to this conclusion. That's still a productivity-perfectionism type of thinking. Your life was what it was and now it is what it is and it will be what it will be. We all come to these key moments in our own time. And there's not a Before and After, there's no Slow Living Code you must crack. This transition is a journey that takes time... if it is ever over! And that's ok. I wish you lots of joy in this new slower, more grounded life you just unlocked.

[@kayebohemier]

Your thing about loneliness at the beginning was very meaningful. My productivity journey is so intertwined with when I started using social media as a surrogate to having real friendships ... as an adult, I relocated away from all of my family for work, don't have friends in my area, and so on, and being severed from formative relationships and our families so we can eat and pay off our student loans is common to so many people. I think that's one reason why people in our Millennial generation (and probably Zoomers, idk) are so invested in watching platform creators on KZbin in addition to the social media filler. I got very sick with influenza B in Feb 2020, and it jarred me out of complacency. I remember being so sick I couldn't raise my head and I felt like I was having issues breathing, and I was so angry because I didn't want to die without having finished reading Proclus' Myth of Er commentary (which, ironically, discusses the Platonic take on reincarnation, as the whole Republic is a city-soul analogy). I realized that I had wasted so much of my non-work time engaging in frivolous things that didn't actually contribute to my life goals or give back, and many of these distractions had also prevented me from doing creative stuff that brings me joy like writing and poetry. Since then, I've struggled with that anger, and I've made some prudent and some ... less prudent ... choices about time management, but I'm starting to actually figure out what I need. You and I are in different social classes (your apartment is way fancier 😅), but I feel like these are common struggles for anyone spiritual (or just driven, perhaps) who has leisure time. So, for another data point ...... what's been helpful for me over the past few months is to reframe myself as a human being with a job instead of trying to do the fashionable self-help thing and over-identify with my career - nowadays, I go into the office at exactly 9 AM and leave at exactly 5 PM because if a to-do item isn't on my top priority list, it can wait, as work will never love anyone back. I've simplified my work meal to rice and canned fish with some frozen vegetables and sauce because it's just not worth my time to deal with complicated meal prep. My spiritual community is too small to have anyone local (at least anyone that I know of), which is why social media had been so alluring .... I have left public social media and am instead trying out a small Discord server related to my spiritual community, which is topic-focused, and it's way less stressful. I'm texting my family more. I started going to a Zoom reading group related to my spiritual community during the stay-at-home part of the pandemic and created another one to do the same, so I can talk to others in different parts of the world and explore our texts and talk about the Gods and theology and so on - both groups are relatively small, so it's personable, and I'm getting to know people and read the things I want to read in community. I work out in my gym's fitness classes so I can get ambient/light social contact - it keeps me fit while meeting my anti-loneliness goals. I wake up at fifteen past six, slowly get ready, pray at my household shrine and meditate, and head to the office at half past eight. It's not really about being "slow" or "fast" - just having life experiences that force one to look at how one is living and to make changes. I am interrupting behaviors that I know I will regret later, like scrolling and being on the computer too much. There are literally books stashed in every place I idle in my apartment so I can read them instead! I've benefitted a lot from the Fabulous app and its productivity modules (which teach habits - it's a great fact-finding exercise to try things out for a bit and keep/discard what works/doesn't take) in addition to spiritual reflection. There's still some way to go, but I'm feeling frustrated less often, and I have a clearer idea of what matters to me. I hope this data point was interesting and I wish you the best in your self-care-focused productivity future! 💛

[@kristyphan8676]

i enjoyed reading this a lot! loved hearing about a snippet of your life. gave me some things to think about

[@maryterrafino6463]

Yeah. I think I’ve been asking myself, “how do I be more productive?” rather than, “how do I improve life?” That includes being productive, but it also means living your life to the fullest - the way you want it to be lived, because it is just so terribly short, as you’ve stated. I don’t think much is going to change in my habits, honestly. However, I do think that I’ll live life just a little differently, and I thank you for that!

[@gayathrimuthuraman1574]

hello rowena! ive been watching your videos for years now and although I do appreciate the content in this video, i think you missed an extremely important aspect about productivity. it is important to note that we are born into a capitalist society that values and demands labor, meaning productivity and work ethic is unfortunately associated with the value of a human. i think this is really important to recognize that we are living in a system that exists based off labor and exploitation, and the only ways I have found to truly combat this is through health, love, and sustainability which all can play a role in slow productivity. I think the core of this is being able to detach yourself from your identity as a worker, redefine productivity & success, and decenter work/career to make room for the people or small things in life that are invaluable. to me that is love, bringing happiness to others, and helping other people.

[@zsa5094]

I agree with this

[@roxyui7210]

Thank you for pointing this out ❤️ Productivity for me (at least in my journey in life thus far) has always felt forced from whatever job I’m in and used to measure my performance. Was I fast enough? Did I get to do all of xyz today? Was I productive enough? Never been about avoiding my own thoughts but part my struggle to be an asset to whichever job I’m in.

[@gayathrimuthuraman1574]

@@roxyui7210 definitely! i think it impacts the way we see ourselves and our self worth which is not the case, we are worthy of love and respect from ourselves and others regardless of how much productive output we generate

[@soniya4447]

I wanted to comment the same thing! The most essential point is that productivity stems from the neoliberal capitalist society we live in that prioritizes productivity and outputs rather than one's happiness. I think slow productivity can be helpful, but ultimately trying to find solutions in living in such an unjust system that has essentially been created not to prioritize our well-being isn't going to truly help us.

[@andreafrncesca]

rowena you came at the right time 😭 i just graduated high school and going into college and i’ve truly been reflecting (or overthinking really) about my future. i’ve been following you for so long, like a little sis listening to her older sis, and you’ve helped me all the time. this is such a great insight and analysis! love you, and will keep on living mindfully 💘

[@itskatieparks]

i’m in the same position as you! i hope we both can move into this new phase of our lives with mindfulness and grace 💛

[@sabrachael]

omg girl me too! after graduating this month, I’ve been thinking a lot about the future and what I want to do and whether I’m even capable of achieving what I want to. And it’s exciting but also anxiety-inducing at the same time. Still, I hope you have a good college experience this first year :)! We’re all in this together!

[@elhorsley3590]

I think "slow productivity" has it's root in mindfulness and being present. The balance of life is not east to achieve but I find as a student that's recently graduated and not rushing 24/7 that making set time for stillness and being comfortable in that (and not guilty) allows for me to 1. Acknowledge that I'm only human and deserving of rest and 2. Allows me to fully tap in when it comes to creativity and work. I'm still working on it and a lot of the time I still feel those tense shoulders and sore back but hopefully I'll reach that balance and inner peace. ✨

[@financiallyspeakingbookkeeping]

Oh my goodness ... you are such an amazing ambassador of "personal limits" ... so many people are so "organized", but have not taken the time to "take care of themselves" ... LOVE your channel!!!

[@alejandrafigueroa6332]

Rowena, This video feels SO timely. I think about (my) mortality a lot and it tends to paralyze me; I'm also very anxious. The "zooming out/back in" exercise helped me put things in perspective/relax a bit. To me, slow productivity means giving yourself time to do things well--quality over quantity. I'm guilty of subscribing to the hustle culture mentality. I believe there is a time and place to hustle but definitely not 24/7/365. Over the last few years I've been trying to slow my life down but it's always felt so wrong. Like I should be doing more and no matter how much I do it never feels like enough, it's exhausting. I REALLY appreciate this video. I spend so much time in my head, asking myself ALL the existential questions. This video helped me learn/remember some important things, so thank you, thank you, thank you. Take good care (and anyone reading) 💛

[@thenoobalmighty8790]

And me... OMG WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE AARRGGGGHHHHHHH

[@akosuaamankwah9374]

It can be unsettling to think of our immortality however, having a personal relationship with Christ puts things in perspective. God bless you 🙏🏽

[@halibeann]

I think you’d benefit from exploring and reading about stoicism! Very similar concepts ! Stoicism helped me come to terms with my own mortality and has a lot of similar self reflections. My favorite quote, from the book ‘How to Think Like a Roman Emperor’ is: “if it bothers me not that my body takes up a small amount of space, why should it bother me that my existence only takes up a small amount of time?” That quote made me put the book down and really put a lot of my life into perspective. Strongly recommend!

[@teethach4827]

Wow, I completely resonate with this. My whole life up until 6 months ago I thought I was a machine that could never break down. I was taking on extra hours at work, extra subjects at University, committing myself to projects that I knew I couldn’t finish, immersing myself in video games, and the list goes on. Consequently, this became the norm for me, as I felt uneasy, restless, and anxious when I felt that I had nothing (chaos lol) going on in my life. Further, I feel like I have reached a point in my life where I actually value doing ‘nothing’ and ‘slowing down’. However, I find this a constant challenge because I am always fighting the urge to fill up my time, to perform at 200%, and constantly being productive which I think is tied to my self worth and self esteem. Thus, I have realised that I am only running away from my unresolved issues/traumas and choosing not to face them. All in all, thank you for uploading material like this, It’s really helpful knowing that others are experiencing the same things too. I think your helping a lot of us by identifying these underlying issues that we all face, bringing them to light, and finding solutions to address them.

[@Sarah-fy7pj]

"How do I want to spend my time (knowing that I'm mortal)?" - Even though I believe that this is a great shift in perspective, doesn't it bring us back to the old question and the struggle of wanting to use our time "correctly"? It feels to me that our real problem is that we're so obsessed with our time - either by being productive or by using it in a meaningful way. And this once more makes us so conscious about the way we live, instead of just living life. Maybe there is no correct or meaningful way to use our time. Maybe time is already used correctly in the mere fact that we're alive.

[@nadyartillustration]

I agree so much ❤️

[@niajames8381]

That's something for each individual to decide. We create our own meaning and life goals. Then there are some who choose not to. They simply exist for the sake of existing and that's okay too.

[@ksismc_9411]

I literally teared up watching this video because this is a reality that is not really pushed enough. Despite mental health and total health becoming more talked about, it is not really embraced as much as trended. Slow productivity should be a norm. Can’t tell you how many breakdowns mid day, mood swings, sleep deprived nights, planners, etc. this is great insight. Thank you!

[@khumosibanyoni9914]

I am starting to realize being adult is mastering awareness, awareness of self , awareness of others and awareness of self with others. Thank you for this video ! I needed this.

[@iizulle]

Rowena, I truly admire your honesty and you have been a channel that I've been checking back in on for years now. It's been interesting to grow with your videos. Recently, after being burnt out from an overwhelming semester of college I have been wondering if I should use my days for only one or two tasks, but use the time slowly and wisely. I had no idea about this slow productivity movement. My second thought after that was- it just won't work, the world is moving too fast and I just can't keep up! So, seeing this video and having it explained to me that my view of what I thought the world to be is wrong has been truly eye opening.

[@jelowo9877]

I've stopped watching your videos and any other productivity videos like yours for a while now. I'm so happy so see this! As someone who could never be that productive person that you were able to be, I was lucky to learn to reject it. I'm still constantly working on rejecting that part of my brain where productivity is so ingrained. Now I say fuck productivity. It shouldn't be tied to your moral standard. If you ever feel like you're not productive enough, instead of trying to be more productive to meet that bar, try lowering your standard and just letting it be wherever you at. It's easier said than done because you will feel like you're supposed to feel guilty and need to remind yourself that you don't. The only way to really be happy is to be happy with how you are naturally. One way I think of it is that every time you try extra hard, you're borrowing energy. You can do that for a short period of time, but you need to pay it back. Trying hard everyday should not be the default. Maybe everyone in society can tell you what you do every day is not enough, but the fact is that your brain and body know what is enough for you everyday, and it's what you do naturally. So you actually don't need to try any harder to reach your full potential. I think people who are productive can't accept this because then that means their best isn't enough for their standards. That's why you have to lower your standards to meet your best instead of the opposite. Because your standards will continue to rise and rise but it will never fill the hole. If you're happy with what you do everyday, then you will always be enough and you could die fulfilled at any moment. Ofc that's the extreme version; I'm working on reaching a realistic version of that mindset.

[@jelowo9877]

I know that at your heart you are a productive person and will probably continue to be for however long you like, but no method of productivity will fully fill the hole. Productivity is a great tool and you've helped so many people on your journey. But I urge everyone to put some emphasis on how the absence of productivity culture also provides value. The best way to control your need to live your life to the fullest is to redefine your fullest to what is most doable for you. Many people go from one thing to another, like getting money to having a support circle to philanthropy, but none of it will fully satisfy you unless you are also able to harness the lack of productivity and allow yourself to be ok with whatever you are at the very single moment, this moment in the present that you can't do anything to change because it's built by what you've done until this point.

[@jessicaandreajovelmojica193]

15:29 my mood on the end of this semester, literally before vacation, I barely organized anything and went along with homework as it came, wasn't in automatic but more like in a rushed dance that I had to finish without tripping. NOW that I'm on vacation, I want to do things more conciously.

[@temp_unknown]

Productivity has always been elusive tbh, excited to watch this.

[@inkandcaffeine]

Definitely needed this, I'm only 2.5 years out of the collegiate student athlete life & it was shockingly hard for me to slow down & enjoy part time employment (my husband is the main income earner) & now with being pregnant sooner than expected I'm having to shift my career goals & recognize that slow life is just as beautiful as high achievement & grinding. Life has changed so quickly that I have yet to figure out how to adapt let alone reckon with my emotions & baggage surrounding being an achiever for over half my life who now has nothing to achieve other than contentment in the day to day life. I'm getting there, but as someone who always got locked in on a future goal & filling every hour I often neglected the joy in today & enjoying rest between every to-do

[@oliviawebb7702]

Thank you for this video!!! So validating to see a step towards a new normal. This video reminded me of something from Tuesday's with Morrie "Is today the day? Am I ready? Am I doing all I need to do? Am I being the person I want to be?"

[@CoeliMusic]

I remember purchasing a copy of Carl Honore’s ‘In Praise of Slow’ 10 years ago, and it’s something I’ve held on to for quite some time. I’ve been putting so much pressure on myself lately and have been crashing down a lot. It’s great to be reminded again to slow down and focus on what’s truly important. Thank you for being you, Rowena 🦋

[@db-er8ig]

I can't get over how beautiful you look with this bangs. So fresh and soft!

[@trinitysxxi]

I feel like somehow you always know what the vibe of the world is and what is an advice that people need, even when we ourselves don't know it yet. I was thinking about writing some comments in your social asking about what to do with down time and how to relax when we don't know how to start being productive, and this video somehow perfectly answered me. This summer is my first vacation since covid started and now that I have so much free time I have no idea what to do with it. I feel overwhelmed with so much flexibility because I feel like I have to DO something. I guess I really need to just allow life and time to take their place and flow a little bit with the divine energy that exists without any pressure. I love your videos

[@nadyartillustration]

Just thinking about slow and meaningful productivity relaxes me ❤️

[@Felicytis]

I'm not even gonna lie that I found you because of your productivity videos but the me from then and the me now are really different. I still like productivity but I'm starting to realize my non negotiables. You're one of my favorite youtubers and you have no idea how happy I am that you managed to like synthesize all this and make sense of things for me. You're amazing, Rowena. And yes like you said, let's grow together. I'm really happy for you on this journey you're on!

[@Aswhatitis]

The launch timing of this video is perfect! This is what I need right now! Recently I have been blaming myself not feeling motivated in life. An unexpected random phone call from my ex ruined my mood and did emotional toll on me. First several days I blocked all my feelings and tried to pretend everything is ok. I used work as the method to distract myself. Later on I finally acknowledged the importance of sitting in with feelings. (Game-changer!) I let myself cry while listening to the music/ driving or during the nap time. I feel better and put together. What Slow productivity means to me is living my life in my own tempo. :) Rest and stillness are ok and needed!

[@faithingod2457]

consistently having two 20 minute sessions for "productivity" a day has been enough to reach my goals

[@cosplay.on.pointe]

I find this type of video to be very helpful in guiding my current mindset because I’ve found myself to be constantly on work mode all day long and ESPECIALLY when I’m supposed to be resting/on a break (kinda like rn). I hope that adding slow productivity in my life will help me to free up my mind and stop being so anxious about how I spend my time and the future.

[@rahmakhan69]

just a few days ago, i was feeling so drained and i just couldnt make myself do anything. and i kept thinking maybe i need to take things slow, maybe running and achieving everything so fast just isnt for me, and today i came across this video.. 'slow productivity'. makes so much sense. thankyou !

[@SerenaShah]

NOT ME literally rewatching the video yoou posted before this because i was waiting for a new one and then YOU LITERALLY POST THIS! love you rowena!!!

[@patriciasanchez7360]

This video gave me so much peace. My therapist and I last spoke about creating something I called "soft boundaries" at the time. Basically, I would give myself ability to say yes and no to work. Telling myself "I only need to work for X time. I did well and am okay with what I have done with my time." Before, school was a daunting task. As I enter the new school year, I want to value my rest and let myself focus more on what matters most to me.

[@thaliadelpilar5442]

Holy sweet potatoe..... I just had an AH HA moment. Been reading the Tao Te Ching and when Row said "We have a spiritual side, and Human aspect of ourselves, The Divine side knows the Tao" I am just like wow, I have deep resonance with this and It honestly touched my heart because It was a sign to me that, We are indeed all connected. Even when we feel super lonely in our current circumstances, we are all interconnected to one another, whats meant to reach you will. Thank you Rowena

[@SailorHush]

Ive worked in Production before and it was such a fast-paced environment and I did that for 6 years, as well as doing my creative work outside my 9-5. I was embodying hustle culture and I thought being a “hustler” = productive. Last year I was assigned in a much slower processing group in a sense that the work has to be slow and I noticed the change in my mindset overall where I need to take slow. I am now working in IT and my manager advised me to take my time to slow down and I am now applying this outside my work life. Rowena, you have been such an inspiration especially now that you spoke about this. I love you and thank you for shedding some light in what I believe is my journey to fulfilling my life 🧡

[@isabellaholmeszoltak6217]

It’s so wild that you’re coming to this conclusion right now too. I used to love your videos and got very into productivity for a few years. I got really good at it. My friends all looked up to me…. And I’m the last few months I’ve realized “hey. What is I wasn’t PRODUCTIVE 24/7….” And like idk there’s been a shift and I’m not sure how to place it but it’s been happening and it’s dope to see you coming to that place too.

[@jesseniaocasio1693]

Wow..thaaaaaaank you...I felt this way end of 2021 and have stopped , just put a hault on the way I used to function with all the todos and journals and habit trackers and calendars ughhh...I could go on, but it's so good to hear this...slow productivity!!🙂🙂

[@sashvosh]

it was mozart who said the most difficult part of music is finding the right tempo… beautiful and much needed video!

[@Itsacarrthing]

Glad you are evolving continuously and adjusting your channel with your growth. Truly authentic admitting when you are wrong publicly

[@reemh.6235]

You can always depend on Rowena dropping her (amazing) videos at a time where you need it the most. We love a queen who senses when her potatoes need something to revive them and set them back on track.

[@alexlam6655]

ngl i stopped watching u bc some of ur vids would stress me out/panic abt productivity but i came back to ur channel bc i needed some girl boss motivation and i’m rlly happy abt this new mindset

[@alexlam6655]

the amt of times i just avoided notion bc it trigger existential/ working dread

[@katiekallberg8389]

This video came to me at the perfect time, like literally right now. And this lovely person that i just met (i came from the video - also my first Rowena video-that opens our intro to Sunsana bc I’ve also been spiraling feeling out of control and trying to lasso my life back together after a burnout) took me by the face looked me directly into my eyes and explained this loop ive been stuck in, forcing me to acknowledge what i now see as self sabotage. This video truly got to my core. I didn’t realize how much relief id feel getting to experience a true raw human moment between two people. This is truly divine and I’m so appreciative that this human exists.

[@NicoleAllyse]

Thanks Ro for posting this video. I just moved after living with family after two years and I can say that I’ve been slowly inching towards slow productivity unknowingly. I’ve found that I’ve spent so much time serving other people that I haven’t really made time for myself and need to get that sense of control. But I also want to actively balance productivity and rest in such a way that I don’t burn out. So I guess I’m elaborately saying that slow productivity to me is having a healthy balance of work and rest to meet your goals in a *sustainable* way. And I’m looking forward to reading your book recs and participating with other sweet potatoes on this journey. 🧡

[@anastassiya8526]

the concept of slow productivilty could be distilled from productivity tips and basics+ psychotherapy+buddism practics. it is so damn right you said about shortness of life.we should hold it in memory every time and be conscious in order to balance our goals and meaningful moments without pursuing smth.

[@LizziePooh92]

This has definitely been on my mind this season! Slow productivity to me, is being able to recognize the micro steps we take that push us forward, that still get things done, but not overwhelming ourselves or our bodies. Endlessly running at a fast pace is so exhausting & honestly feeling like no matter how quickly I move, there's always work to be done. I've been bringing in the practice of "slow productivity" to help with deconstructing my worth based on what I get done, but also to really lean into taking care of my mind & my body first.

[@gabriellesgarden]

Hi Rowena! I think the word we’re looking for is “intentional.” How do we maximize the value of living with the limited 4,000 weeks of life we have? Intentionality - being purposeful, deliberate. Through personal experience, I’ve realized that the pressure to be efficient has caused some resistance in my life. Slow productivity encourages us to choose ourselves, choose presence, choose mindfulness. As a result we live with more intention, with a spotlight on our own values and philosophies amidst all other obligations.

[@claresse]

THIS. 🙌🏼 I am now implementing slow productivity in my work life. And personal life too. I was subconsciously sabotaging myself by trying to be the most efficient and hardest worker I could be. And I brought this mindset into my personal life activities too (i.e. gym, downtime, catching up with friends, spending time with my partner, etc.). I was overloading my schedule with all these things that I forgot to truly stop and take a break for myself - even my "downtime" felt like it was forced and rushed. It led to a breakdown. But then I had a breakthrough. Now I am seeing things more clearly and realising that I should take things slow.

[@hathakleen]

Rowena - I first found your videos at the beginning of this year, I think, around the same time that I was doing a lot of reading about HSPs (highly sensitive people) and delving deep into who I am as a person. I've never heard of slow productivity as a term before but it might sum up the path I've been on for a while now. I'm definitely going to look into it more. I think it's interesting that in this video you say you've had productivity all wrong for so long, because from my perspective, the ideas you've shared that have stood out to me the most (time vs energy in particular) have had a huge influence on the way I'm choosing to approach life: listening to my body and intuition, learning to be present, reflecting on everyday accomplishments rather than failures, and learning how to prioritize my values and then move myself forward with these values in mind. I guess I'm saying that I hope you don't feel like you've been wasting your time going through cycles of finding new productivity band-aids! Maybe as someone who has a history of being more hustle-centric (which I never have been) that might seem like what you've been doing, but the way I see it, none of that was wrong! You've been heading to where you are now this whole time :) May none of us ever stop learning and growing.

[@GustavoSilva-ny8jc]

1:10 Hit here 🖑, me too. I was so bad at accepting that there's things i can control, because, well, It's scary, that that was making me worse at controlling myself. So ironically i was leaved with nothing at all i could influence. I discovered first hand that this sense of entitlement is inborn within us (do you know a baby or toddler who doesn't get frustrated when don't receive what they want?) that's why we totally oblivious until someone and feel treated unfairly when the world doesn't go as we plan, as ridiculous as it sound people act like this all the time. The Joker schemer talk in Dark Knight feels viscerally real to me today, i think the more you cling to a set plan and don't adapt, accept that reality is everchanging, the worse of a planner you're going to be. So to remain sane and keep being productive, i started to focus more on an internal solucion, my thinking, my perception, mental plan and focus, rather than depending strictly on an external system that can be taken from me. Now i expect bad things to happen, try not to create too rigid plans and full schedule and don't be pissed if something interrupts what i really want to do, you can't use the excuse... "i can't do this other thing now cause i will not be able to control myself later when i return..." sounds ridiculous, and you have to learn to refocus and do the job after being interrupted (by others or yourself). I myself am still learning this so i know how hard it is.

[@93parasol]

The way that you actually, truly think about your life and what it is you actually, truly want to do with it, is very impressing to me. I watched a couple of your old videos a while ago and I did like them but now watching your new videos and seing someone also saying things like you did in the beginning of this video "I think I got it all wrong" is just... impressing. It feels so rare that we as humans are able to change our minds like that, we get stuck in doing what we think we should (which you also have been off course and still are, as you say in this video) and we may never get out of it. But you are trying and really using both your intelligence and intution and emotions to find your way in life and it's so inspiring. I love your videos and your channel and you have a new long time subscriber in me

[@JeanneBook]

I just had a fast paced month and i always felt like im left behind all the time yesterday and today i just chilled with my mom and enjoyed the day then this video got recommended 💕 Love it.

[@preeyatichopra1976]

Never have I ever taken out time specifically to watch a video this attentively. Thank you, Ro.

[@isabellakitzmann8754]

my favorite youtuber 🤍 I have been experiencing my own reevaluation with productivity these past few months. finally letting myself watch a tv series instead of bingeing “productive content” on social media. i’m taking steps to be kinder towards myself and remind myself i’m just a little speck on my own little journey and I don’t need to compare it to anyone else’s. I appreciate you and your content so much and i’m so excited to go on this new journey and continue gaining insight about how to live a meaningful life from you!

[@victorreis8110]

thank you so much for this. i feel like this video comes across as a manifesto of how weird it was as a society to go through whatever these years’ been like and deal with hustle culture just the same as before

[@upertiwi]

life is a flow of waves and it’s important to understand the different types of currents in your life in the first place. knowing when to ride and shout if the speed of wave is exhilarating but also knowing when to go with the flow when the current needs to slow down. i think there will always be changing trends when it comes to productivity, different packaging of words but same language but it’s important to know ourselves first to lay the solid foundation of groundedness amidst these changes. it all comes down to coming back to your body and listen to what the body needs. I’m currently reading this book “No Bad Part” and realizing how i had been approaching productivity with the wrong mindset that i need to constantly fix something when there’s really no need to do so if i came from the place of acceptance of equally important different parts in me

[@laurensohee]

Rowena, so good to see you! As soon as this video popped up I hoped you’d be including Four Thousand Weeks-it’s really shifting my mindset and attitude towards time and productivity. 📖 Having ADHD adds to my struggle for perfection, but also helps me live in the present! Here’s to accepting our limitations and choosing to move. 🥂

[@veeiix]

“ letting time use you “ if there was ever a time I was going to allow myself to feel used- that time is NOW 😅✨

[@emiliqgeorgieva598]

Thank you for talking about this. Its was very much needed to know that other people are in this same place and althought it feels like a loop - there is a way to more efficiently use your time and not ignore your mental health in the process.

[@mohamedsarah7798]

I love how pertinent your videos are, I am in a point of my life where I question everything I think I know about life. That video is just a relief♥

[@miti203]

Thank you Rowena! I was just planning my moodboard for the new year and I REALLY needed to be introduced to this kind of productivity. Anything tut convinces my brain that doing less is better is a winner! It isn’t peaceful to tick box your entire day and with two young kids I’m trying to figure it all out 🙈

[@lla1514]

I've always been the kinda person that loved to have things around me "in control", so that I can feel more settled and less stressed knowing that certain things were still in control. But ever since the pandemic hit, things around me just stopped and I found myself being unable to control things around me. And that drove me crazy, made me very unmotivated even. It's just funny how something that was so in order could collapse within a day. But I've been trying to search for the meaning of life lately, it's an endless search and often led myself to a depressed status. Then I realized I just couldn't be nice to myself. I'm still trying to relearn and love myself, though. I hope whoever is still struggling can one day find your way of stay motivated and love yourself. 💝

[@jay_deavyon]

This video was made so well but the 4,000 weeks perspective had sent me into an existential crisis realizing at only 24 over 1/4 of my weeks are over. Aging is so scary when you look back to the years before and we really do need to enjoy the days as they come.

[@simplyellenxo95]

I love your productivity and motivational videos. Also, love your graphic designing and how educated I’m getting from this video.

[@jessieca.joseph]

Thank you for this video, Rowena. I’ve been feeling bummed out because of my lack of productivity ever since I got pregnant. I thought I always had it all together with the systems I’ve implemented in my life. But being pregnant has forced me to literally slow down, especially in my first trimester. I was physically and mentally incapable of doing things and I hated how much I couldn’t function like I used to before. But then I kept on telling myself how much of a blessing this current journey really is. Slowing down has allowed me to appreciate the present, listen to my body and reminded me of what’s truly more important in my life 🤍

[@lhsdance12]

I feel like this hits exactly on the realizations I have been having in my life recently and why I have taken my own break from watching KZbin over the past few months. Life is too short and if we spend all our time obsessing with where we aren’t we don’t get to enjoy where we are currently. Thank you for making this video.

[@rhiannonsalt]

thank you so much for this. I am in college and have to work full time because I’m chronically sick and have to pay for medical stuff, and i feel like i am in a constant rush of having to do things or manage things or not do things so that i can manage other things. admitting that i cant do it all to myself has been really helpful (as in C’s get degrees, i do not need to put 110 percent into work etc, not feeling guilty for cancelling commitments to take care of my health, not trying to keep things constantly clean etc). There’s also a huge amount of grieving that comes with trying to survive, our relationship with time, and being chronically sick BUT like you said it’s been liberating in terms of detaching my worth to from (influenced by the ideas of CRAPITALISM) productivity.

[@alonemusk27]

I literally wrote in my journal, that I miss you. OMG! Your timing is perfect 🥺 missed you ro! So grateful for you ❤️

[@emmatessier_ty4019]

This video is everything! What you said here, taking into account our mortality and how precious life is, conveyed to me 'be kind to yourself' better than anything I've heard before. You're giving us permission to make mistakes and accept ourselves, accept our actual priorities. When we're listening to what we really want in life on a higher level, than nothing we don't need to distract or be distracted.

[@mihlali_mabaso]

Had to change my outlook on productivity when my job stopped giving me challenging work to do. I started feeling purposeless. Like what am I without goals and something to look forward to. We’ve basically been trained to be productive since we were toddlers how do you now live without it? I’m still struggling with this tbh. And don’t know what to do 🥲

[@mandypeters839]

So relatable. I’ve been feeling burnt out these days but I know when I take vacation I struggle to rest.

[@MissDimsky]

Do what makes you feel happy :)

[@mihlali_mabaso]

@Miranda finding a balance isn’t easy

[@craven5328]

I have just hit something similar at work. I have purpose outside of work, but when I spend 8 hours a day in an environment where I'm neither learning, nor really participating in highly valuable work - sigh, it's actually quite depressing still.

[@mihlali_mabaso]

@C Raven Then you feel guilty for not having much to do. 🙋🏽‍♀️ It’s demotivating

[@seoulologyy]

You always post videos when I need them most. Thank you for being you and continuing to grow yet staying so beautifully genuine. 💜💜💜

[@bluemush86]

Love the pace and this topic because this is a really important message everyone needs to know about. Cause I feel everyone is just running and running and running it’s insane and slowing down feels like a crime, I feel so burnt out I just want to quit my job and take 1yr off to travel and decompress but I can’t due to bills and all that crap. Sigh 😔.

[@bwee1207]

Missed you, Ro! Thanks for making this video and for talking about Slow Productivity! Personally, I think watching this video was very timely. I just started working as an Independent Research Consultant and I'm experiencing a bit of a hard time having a disciplined schedule. But I always remind myself to take it slowly and that I'm doing my best, especially since I'm adjusting to the setup and my body is adjusting to the normal daytime shift (my previous work was at night shift). Looking forward to your Slow Prod-focused videos!

[@antiaencisa4438]

Thank u very much for this ❤ I am just in the middle of a crisis because of beeing burn out and this talk was what I needed to reconduct my thoughts. I really want to know more about slow productivity and implement it in my life ☺️

[@rllyrebecca]

Having gone through a couple of tough cases of family bereavement lately, this resonates so much with me - we are the master of our time our time should not control us! Definitely going to be implementing a lot of this, life lately has made me realise how we need to make the most of every day in the way that WE want

[@HannahlovesStories]

I love, love, love this! I’ve been trying to be productive in a healthier more balanced way for a little while now and it’s so amazing. It is hard to reprogram my mind with this new approach but I think it’s definitely worth it!

[@GoogleUser-wx8mw]

Love your transparency, Rowena. I'm watching this video about 5 months after you posted it, so closer to making plans for 2023. I know I need to rearrange some practices in my life based on my values, so thanks for getting the ball rolling. I def. need to take that silent time you mentioned. Hope 2023 is a happy one for you. Thanks, too, for the previous things you think you may have gotten wrong along the way; I enjoyed getting them the same kind of wrong b/c that is where I was and your videos were helpful for that time, too. Peace.

[@anjalisinha4696]

This immediately calmed me. I was literally weeping for no specific reason... You're soo sooo soooooo right. ❤️ Thankyou rowenna❤️

[@sylviemariehebert9758]

I am so impressed that you came to this realization... this is exactly where I'm at right now, and I can't wait to see the content you put out about this topic.

[@zahraathefree]

I love you 🤍 have been watching your videos from the beginning of this channel and now I’m really happy for you reaching this level of awareness and grateful that you always genuinely choose to share it with us Thanks from the heart

[@lived4th1]

I’m really happy people are coming to this conclusion. I felt sad I couldn’t watch ur videos anymore cuz I would just keep going in that cycle. I’m really looking forward to watching your such well made videos again.

[@RollEyesDeeply]

10:10 I think there's magic in how you live and give in your life and even when we wish to offer nothing in a state of deep stillness. The best use of time is so vast and subjective for everyone. You are enough. You do enough.

[@nitagashi4143]

So we can all agree that Rowena is our spirit guide

[@faithsibanda403]

This was beautiful. Especially slow productivity, just not looking at your productivity from short frames but from longer frames. And the message at the end, living your life according to what your moment in time needs❤️

[@notes.of.marieee]

Ro, I just wanna say that I am so proud of you. I rarely comment on youtube videos but this is exactly just what I needed in my life rn so thanks! May you have all the good things in life. Bless you!!!

[@hannah1torres]

I have watched your videos since I was in highschool. I remember being so motivated to do all the things. Work hard, be productive, and do the most. This idea of being productive became an obsession. I remember skipping Christmas with my family to work, or having lists that were piled high. I thought that was what I was supposed to do and who I was supposed to be. In time my life changed. I got married and I have two kids. What’s been interesting for me is noticing the fact that at this point in my life I have way more responsibility and more on my plate than ever before yet I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. This idea that women are supposed to work and climb the corporate ladder seems so good when you are young. But as I’ve been able to slow down and be with my family I’ve realized as a young woman I was sold this lie that a family and children aren’t as important as your job. Truthfully that’s not true. I’ve found from rewatching your videos that I feel more overwhelmed and more pushed into something or someone that I no longer what to be. I wonder if that’s why us as women who follow this productivity life and hustle culture seem to always have crashed and breakdowns. I don’t think this was the life meant for us.

[@samgarcia2833]

Rowena, this good advice. It helps in getting some things done be it only in small steps as opposed to not doing anything due to lack of time or procrastinating and the acknowledgement we are all here for a short time on this world we can then use our time on what's really important. Great wisdom x

[@NoneYa-pg6dk]

You’re always so good on timing for me. 😂 Thank you as always. I’ve been going on a soul journey and some of what I found true to me is.. 1. Life is like balancing on a rope. I can get steady if it was just me alone. When there is a storm or some other distraction, it’s up to me to stay balanced. There’s no such thing as infinite stability and that’s okay. It’s part of life and it just makes me stronger. Just hang on. Storms comes and go. 2. Nothing (people, status, things, job) should ever define me. Trust myself that I can take care of myself and that’s enough. 3. Everyone/anyone has a toxic trait. No one is a good or bad person, unless they have bad intentions. Learn to accept others and so that I can accept myself (vice versa) and let go, whatever that means to me. That’s how I found peace with others. Still a working progress. I don’t think it’ll ever end, but it’s getting better. 4. Grace, gratitude, compassion, patience, healthy boundaries, and kindness are essentials to get through tough times. 5. Negative feelings (boredom, sadness, anger) are not bad. It’s what I do to others and/or myself when I can’t handle it that can be bad. These feelings are needed, because it’s my body telling me that something isn’t right and I need to self reflect.

[@natt3212]

I always appreciate your videos, no matter if it takes months to come out because you always have such insightful things to share. I've also been rethinking what productivity and time mean to me. There were some huge life plans that I expected to happen that fell through and it took a toll on my mental health, and maybe it's because society has told me that this plan should always work out, but that's not always the case. I was never a spiritual person or believed in divine plans, but this experience has truly made me question "maybe there is a divine plan for me?" Slow productivity, in this case, does mean allowing deep rest but embracing plans that may fall through because I'm working towards months or years of results.

[@nataliedube1665]

The word productivity makes me feel like it needs to be done quickly and efficiently. But I love the concept of this video

[@pythoness_programmer_gold]

I 100% agree with your views on what productivity should look like. I also am a huge Sunsama / Notion user so I cannot wait to also use some of the other tools you mentioned. Work should not be exhaustive, and the more I tap into fun and rest, the more impact the production I do make has.

[@always_blossom_2311]

I'm just so so grateful to God that i got to know your channel !! Thank you so much for helping people out!!!!😭😭💕