Pause, reflect, reset: A more intentional transition after the academic year

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…

A decade of Being Lazy and Slowing Down: Stories and insights from higher education

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…

Staying grounded while staying informed: Navigating chaos in higher education

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…

Ichigo Ichie: Embracing joy in transitions

Ichigo Ichie: Embracing joy in transitions

By Kimine Mayuzumi Ichigo Ichie (一期一会), a Japanese proverb, is a concept that I often share with my readers and audience. Translated as “one encounter, one lifetime,” it encapsulates the idea that each meeting is unique and exists in its own space and time — an irreplaceable moment. Embedded in the Japanese tea ceremony, this concept encourages us to treat the unique quality of each experience as a precious treasure. There was a moment last…

The Japanese stone that holds wisdom: Embracing life’s uncertainties

The Japanese stone that holds wisdom: Embracing life’s uncertainties

By Kimine Mayuzumi In the journey of life, we often stumble upon precious gems that shape our perspectives and guide us through the stormy landscapes.  Today, I’d like to share with you one such gem. It’s a simple stone with a profound message, and the story behind it. It’s my hope that this message will resonate with those of you facing tough times and provide a source of inspiration, as it did for me. The…