By Kimine Mayuzumi “What should I accomplish this term?” You may have asked yourself this question a few weeks ago, as the new academic term approached. You might have made lists — teaching, research, service, administration, community engagement — and mapped out deadlines, meetings, classes, conferences, writing projects, and other commitments across the weeks ahead. And now, a few weeks in, you may be starting to get a sense of what this term will actually…
All posts by Kimine Mayuzumi
About Kimine Mayuzumi
Pause, reflect, reset: A more intentional transition after the academic year
By Kimine Mayuzumi There is nothing passive about stopping, and when you decide to go, it’s a different kind of going because you stopped. — Jon Kabat-Zinn A few weeks ago, I led a session called Exhale – Reset through Reflection and Practice for a group of academics transitioning out of their academic year. I was reminded again how exhausting this season can be for many academics — trying to wrap things up while…
What I learned from Tai Chi walking
By Kimine Mayuzumi In the Tai Chi class that I lead regularly, we always begin with a walking exercise — what I call Tai Chi walking. We walk slowly — probably slower than you might imagine. It feels almost like moving in slow motion. I learn so much from this experience, and I invite you to try this kind of slow, mindful walking one day. I’ve attached a video clip so you can get a…
Setting intentions (not just goals): A perspective from practice
By Kimine Mayuzumi A client once asked me: “Is there a particular format you use to help people set an intention? I’ve been experimenting with different ones to use with students, but I haven’t found an explanation I love yet — especially one that helps them understand the difference between an intention and a goal.” This is a wonderful question. And I actually hear two questions within it: How do I differentiate an intention from…
A decade of Being Lazy and Slowing Down: Stories and insights from higher education
By Kimine Mayuzumi Ten years ago, I wrote a short post called “5 Ways to Slow Down NOW.” At the time, I didn’t know whether anyone would read it. I simply felt pulled to explore gentler ways of living and working — especially in environments organized around speed, output, and performance. I kept writing, not because I had a grand vision for what Being Lazy and Slowing Down (BLSD) would become, but because each piece…