By Kimine Mayuzumi “Qi is soft like water — it can only be led, not pushed.” (Yang, 2018, p.481) This quote reminds me that true power lies in softness. In both Tai Chi and writing, I’ve discovered that the gentlest energy often leads to the most powerful results. In this reflection, I explore how Tai Chi principles – particularly yurumi, or softness – might offer a different way of approaching (academic) writing. Perhaps by…
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Begin with ease: Refreshed guided meditation before writing
By Kimine Mayuzumi It’s been quite a while since I created my first guided meditation audio for writing. Since then, I’ve received so much positive feedback … and, in fact, it’s been one of our top three most viewed blog posts ever. That’s why I thought it was time for a refresh. So I asked our listeners what they’d love to see (or hear) in an updated version. Through a recent survey, I gathered…
Staying grounded while staying informed: Navigating chaos in higher education
By Kimine Mayuzumi At Being Lazy and Slowing Down, we often talk about creating space – for rest, for reflection, for remembering what matters. But what happens when the world feels anything but spacious? When news headlines feel like they’re closing in, and being informed feels necessary but overwhelming? This post grew out of a question someone asked during a recent webinar that I was delivering. It stopped me in my tracks… and felt important…
Disrupting the academic clock: Menopause, productivity, and power
By Kimine Mayuzumi I sit here at my desk, reflecting on my time in a Ph.D. program. I remember sitting at the desk in the corner of my Toronto apartment, writing a poem about how my period affected me physically and mentally. I had to express it – not just out of frustration but also as a way to ritualize my acceptance of the challenge, particularly the severe cramps that kept me from doing anything…
Transform overwhelm with Weekly Reflection & Planning (WRP)
By Kimine Mayuzumi For a long time, I’ve been thinking, writing, and offering services on planning. Recently, I led a workshop for higher-ed administrators on transforming overwhelm into serenity. Since then, I’ve been reflecting on one tool that has consistently made a difference for me – Weekly Reflection & Planning (WRP). In my blog post, The power of planning: Embrace mindfulness and prioritize with ease, I discussed five key reasons why planning is crucial for…