What if the best way to move forward… is to slow down? Honestly, when was the last time that you felt fully present in a moment, not haunted by a to-do list or feelings of guilt about what needs to get done?

If you are struggling to recall, then World Sauntering Day on 19 June is your reminder to pause, breathe, and simply be.

A stroll through history

World Sauntering Day, which falls on 19 June annually, was invented in 1979 by W.T. Rabe as a playful rebellion against the emerging mania for jogging. 

Instead of racing down the sidewalk, people are encouraged to slow down, enjoy leisurely walks, and notice the world they’re in – not sprint, but stroll. At its core, it reminds people to disconnect from the hustle and bustle and appreciate the present moment. 

Glorification of the hustle culture

According to hustle culture, which is promoted by “grindset” gurus and startup success tales, every waking moment should be dedicated to pursuing productivity. 

Experts claim that the hustle culture narrative was established by the entrepreneurial boom of the 1990s and 2000s. It’s the mentality that encourages individuals to work harder, longer, and faster, even at the price of relationships, well-being, and sleep – because it equates activity with value. 

Hustle culture is not just about ambition; it is a system that rewards burnout, applauding those who sleep when they’re dead and shaming those who pause. 

The cost of constant overwork

On the surface, hustle culture appears empowering. Who does not wish to pursue one’s ambitions and become successful? 

However, this never-ending pursuit affects us physically, mentally, and emotionally. There’s burnout, anxiety, chronic stress, and identity loss that have become all-too-familiar symptoms of the hustle-inspired life. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) labelled burnout as a workplace syndrome, and research associates chronic overworking with the heightened risk of heart disease, depression, and cognitive decline. While pursuing everything, we end up enjoying nothing.

A struggle between want and need

Somewhere along the way, we started to feel guilty for simply existing. Even a 15-minute nap at times feels like a crime. 

Someone on LinkedIn or Facebook is always doing something – publishing papers, getting jobs, winning competitions, attending conferences, etc. – it’s easy to feel inadequate in comparison. But humans aren’t meant to produce constantly. 

One study conducted by Stanford discovered that productivity for each hour drops steeply after working for 50 hours a week and plummets after 55. No matter how much you want to overperform, your body needs the break.

The rise of slow living movement

In response to this obsession, a quiet rebellion is growing – the slow living movement. Based on mindfulness, it prioritises quality over quantity and being present over performing. 

Slow living does not equate to doing nothing; rather, it means doing fewer things with purpose. From savouring the food eaten without distraction to having weekends away in nature, the movement promotes a thoughtful, earthy speed of living. 

Research indicates that individuals who practice slower ways of living have lower levels of stress, better sleep, enhanced concentration, and deeper relationships.

Practical tips to start a slow living

Slow living isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, but there are small ways to begin. Start by prioritising what truly matters, not what looks good online. 

Limit multitasking, as it reduces your quality of work. Take a walk without your phone. Say “no” more often. Reclaim time from screens, meetings, and mindless scrolling. Focus on being, not just doing. The goal isn’t to withdraw from life; it’s to engage with it more fully.

Starting with this World Sauntering Day, consider taking a step back – both in pace and perspective. You just might find that life often unfolds not at the destination but in the beauty of wandering through the journey itself.