Quarter life crisis is a fairly common phase in life. Hartri Buanaloka, 26, a graphic designer in Bandung, feels that she is currently experiencing it. On one hand, she feels pressured to excel in the creative industry. On the other hand, she often compares herself to friends who seem to be more advanced in their careers or are married.

Hartri then considered practicing slow living. This is her preferred lifestyle because it feels right for someone who wants to slow time down and not follow other’s fast pace. Her determination got stronger after her father died.

“When my father died, I immediately thought, why should I pursue worldly things, after all, in the end we all die. I started doing things in proportion. If something does not benefit me or others, neither it is a good deed for the afterlife – why should I do it anyway?” she said.

Not much has changed from Hartri’s daily schedule: work, worship and hobbies. But her way of thinking has shifted. She spends time gardening, cooking, and taking care of the fish that her father left.

“For me, slow living is an art of enjoying life. To achieve something, the focus is not only on the target, but also the process,” she said.

On holidays, Hartri takes time to enjoy the nature in her surroundings. She often travels to the lake area in Batujajar, West Bandung Regency to simply calm her mind. She prefers to meet in real life rather than on social media with her inner circle. It makes her relationships with her loved ones more intimate and precious.

According to Hartri, living a slow life does not mean being lazy. Things get done, but not under pressure. Following this change of mindset, she is calmer and happier because she does not have the need to follow other people’s standard of success.

Elvine Gunawan, a psychiatrist from RSIA Limijati, said that someone who leads a slow life can have a productive and high-quality life. Today’s fast-paced life encourages someone to does things instantly or multitask to meet work targets. As a result, that person’s focus will decrease and in turn affect the quality of life and mental health.

“There are three keys to slow living: being realistic, avoiding setting overly high expectations, and being grateful,” she said.