The other day, I was walking to lunch with Mackenzie and witnessed something that really got to me. A mom was pushing a stroller a little bit ahead of us. The light was about to turn green, so we were all stopped on the corner to wait for the walk signal. By “we,” I mean Mackenzie and myself plus an elderly couple. The mom and the stroller were lurching into the street trying to “make it” before the light turned green and the cars decided to, I don’t know, continue with the normal traffic pattern.
The only reason why she didn’t get hit was because a truck ran a red light so the first car didn’t release the brake.
I swear I witnessed the whole incident in slow motion.
My heart dropped as I expected the car to go right as she was crossing its path. I instinctively called out, “Omg is she serious?!” (In my defense, I didn’t realize I said it out loud I was so freaked out!) The mom snapped her head back (she’s really in the middle of the road here, the stroller is directly in the way of a car) as she pulled back closer to the sidewalk and responded, “Yes, I’m serious. I’m in a hurry.”
Is anything, really, that important? To risk not only your life, but someone else’s?
I can’t really blame her though. I’m sure I’ve narrowly missed hurting myself and not even known it. Like looking down at my phone and not paying attention to where I was going. Or not wanting to wait for the walk signal and scurrying across the street just in time. Or driving a little recklessly because I spent five extra minutes changing clothes. Looking down for one second at a text message while driving.
After witnessing the near-accident, I was incredibly shaken. I just kept hearing her voice in my head, “I’m in a hurry,” and comparing it to how many times I’ve said the same thing. It’s just not worth it.
We definitely live in a fast-paced world. Google will report to you how quickly it churned out the response. There are contests to see how fast you can stack and unstack plastic cups (… but really, why?). And your boss needed that report yesterday.
But sometimes I think we all just need to slow down. On about fifty levels. To slow down and not grow up too fast. Slow down and enjoy each other’s company instead of fiddling around trying to get the right filter. Slow down and actually write a great essay instead of waiting until the last minute to throw something together. Slow down and be safe on the road. Slow down and enjoy the moment rather than worrying about the next.
Just… slow down.
Do you ever feel like we’re all in a rush?
xoxo
Love this! What a scary incident to witness, though. If there is one complaint about our generation that I agree with, it's that we're so focused on instant results and speed.
xo,
Rachel
Suppose Anything Goes
That woman sounds a little nutty, to endanger her baby that way. It would have scared me too.
I don't understand people sometimes! Although I AM prone to rushing around (mostly because I, too, changed my outfit too many times haha). I totally agree that we need to slow down and enjoy the present!
Cristina Marie
I agree with you! I can't believe she took a chance like that and while caring for a child! We live in such a fast pace world, sometimes it is a good thing to slow down and just be in the moment!
Lauren,
http://www.atouchofsoutherngrace.com/
I can't believe she would take the chance of her child getting hurt, just to get somewhere quicker. If it was just her, then so be it, but putting your child's life at risk is just wrong. I agree with Ashley that woman sounds a bit nutty.
http://loriscreativity.blogspot.com/
This is a great post! I think we all get in a rush sometimes, but we we just need to take a step back and remind ourselves what is important; here and now!
Hunter
Prep on a Budget
That was soo terrible, Oemmgeee! It shouldn't have happened. Risking her child to that so dangerous situation. That's a very good reminder for us in a real life that sometimes we should think first what are those times to rush and slow down.
That must have been terrifying, but great advice Carly, I know I'm guilty of rushing around especially during the holiday season. BTW I love how you put quotes over different pictures for your posts.
-Alex
http://www.monstermisa.blogspot.com/
I've experience this feeling way too many times, especially as a driver. Nothing is EVER that important, as you say. It can wait.
Your Friend, Jess
THIS IS ALL SO TRUE. I THINK I RUSH TOO MUCH IN MY LIFE. BUT IN TODAY'S FAST MOVING SOCIETY, WE DO NOT HAVE TIME TO SLOW DOWN AND THINK BECAUSE IT IS ALWAYS GO, GO, GO. THIS IS A GREAT POST, CARLY.
THANK YOU,
ABIGAIL UELAND
I hate to say this, but it's just something you have to accept living in New York City. As a native New Yorker, my advice is sort of just accept that everyone around you is neurotic, rushing, and apathetic to your own plight. Maybe it's cynical to say, but it's a small price to pay for living in a very ambitious city.
Completely. I do think it was a good reminder though… Ambition doesn't have to outweigh safety or living in the moment!
I completely and totally agree. Living in any part of the world, no matter if its a small town or the big city…everyone seems to be in a rush these days. I myself find myself panicking to get everything done…and I keep taking more and more on. Its all in the effort to "be successful." A phrase that has been thrown at me since my first day of high school, through the first day of my last year of college. A break is what we all need but realistically…we probably won't take one even when given the opportunity.
xx
Breckenridge Clare
http://www.whimofthesouth.com
This was definitely a much needed post today. I am such a sucker for nearly risking my life for dumb reasons because I'm in a hurry. And I'm totally a victim of saying things out loud and not knowing it. This was great.
Kolbi | Life With Kolbi
I think that, for me, the pace of my life is dictated by those around me, so it ends up being very rushed! But when I can set my own schedule, things tend to slow down and I get to really enjoy what I'm doing.
I love how she talked back to you — and actually gave an excuse for her behavior! Even though you didn't mean to, I'm glad you called her out on it!
xo, B
http://www.BKCsquared.com
My husband runs on what he calls Smith time. No rushing ever, if you wake up late you're already late and there's no reason to kill yourself trying to get there. Not that he tries to be late, he always makes his best effort to be on time and usually is. But he's taught me to slow down when I'm stressed because I'm less likely to mess something up that way.
I couldn't imagine ever putting my baby in that situation, that's just horrible. People usually forgive your tardiness if you have a small child, your time is no longer your own.
And the fact that she answered you! Oh My Goodness.
Mana
Fashion and Happy Things
That's exactly what I needed to hear today…I'm a sophomore in college and it's definitely hard to slow down when there is so much competition, but I really need to take time to smell the roses – or, because I'm in northern Pennsylvania – take time to appreciate the leaves changing. Thanks for these words, Carly and I hope that you have a really great day!
This post is a real eye opener because it is definitely one thing we can all relate to. Its scary.
I'm definitely going to try my best to slow down a lot more now.
http://njcdesigns.blogspot.co.uk/
Slow down and breathe. I know right, I study in Milan and it's really something crazy. I know I do it too sometimes, and that's the real sad part about it: you just don't notice, because being fast is good and slow is bad. But you have to go fast and do things well. We need to learn to stop and think…
So right Carly! I think we can all take a lesson in slowing down and enjoying life. Hopefully this woman has reflected on the experience as you have and maybe she's learned something as well.
Katy @ Classic Katy
I've been reading your blog for a few years now, and I have to say it is kind of cool to see how your perspective seems to have changed since leaving your job to explore new opportunities that allow you to enjoy yourself a bit more! It is truly refreshing to read your posts lately. Just the fact that you're talking about slowing down, enjoying life, and what's important in life seems to reflect your happiness in your new "position" in life 🙂 That's awesome.
I love this! That must have been so freaky to see, and it definitely has some great meaning. Why do we need to be "in a hurry"? I agree that we all need to slow down!
wise words.
Absolutely great point! Nothing is worth risking your life, especially not someone else's life.
a reminder that everyone needs. I witness to many people risking their lives and others to catch a bus.
Cheers, Jennifer
Yes, slow it down! A great reminder for everyone (me included)
http://inspirationlush.com/
oh my gosh, thanks for the reminder to slow down. city drivers can already be unpredictable, there's no need to put your (and other people's … i can't believe that lady!) life at risk. haha.
Until I read the part where you said you didn't blame her, I was ready to launch into a critique of everything being said. Not because I don't respect your opinion or love your blog, but because rushing is something we as women do in response to the dual demands made of us by home and work. To deny that, to say things like "oh, well just LEAN IN" is to fundamentally misunderstand the demands made of women and what needs to be done about it. This isn't meant to be a feminist comment, but it wasn't a perspective brought out in your post or the other comments so I thought I should make it. Slowing down is great (TOTALLY agree, putting yourself or others in danger is not worth it), but we have to first understand why that mother was rushing to be able to advocate it.