By Riyad A. Shahjahan You have set aside time to write. You know what you plan to work on for the next 15 minutes, 30 minutes, or hour. You sit down to begin — or perhaps you are already writing — when suddenly an urge arises to do something else. Maybe you feel compelled to check the laundry, browse the news, scroll through social media, make a quick phone call, or do a bit more…
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…
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…
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…
By Riyad A. Shahjahan For the past two years, I had the privilege of teaching an online graduate summer course on professional development and wellness. I had designed the content to integrate insights from Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (QTBIPOC) wellness literature. I also encouraged students, including health professionals, HR practitioners, educators, and administrators, to reflect on and practice self-care throughout the course. Many expressed deep concerns about burnout, impostor syndrome, shame,…
