By Kimine Mayuzumi It has been (a little over) two years since Riyad and I launched our website, Being Lazy and Slowing Down. While it may not mean much to many, two years of blogging means a lot to me in my reflection. Let us celebrate our blogging journey. Most of all, our blog has been a source of connection because it allowed us to be in touch with people whom we may not have the…
By Roilui Sin Feeling like an imposter is not new to me as a graduate student. I have felt it since childhood. I am the youngest of two, my parents had emigrated from China in the early 70s – first to Brazil and then settling in Canada in 1985 when I was a toddler. Growing up, I felt like an outsider, needing to fit in and protect myself from being revealed as a “phony” Canadian.…
By Kimine Mayuzumi Is slowing down a privilege and therefore unworthy of attention for many (e.g., working-class, racially minoritized, etc.)? Or is it one’s choice? Would I have said that slowing down was a privilege six years ago when my family lost any source of income? In 2010, we returned to Toronto, Canada, after my partner’s visiting-scholar contract ended in the US. I worked on my Ph.D. dissertation and my partner seeked a job. Our…
By Kimine Mayuzumi Dr. Soko Starobin is an Associate Professor at Iowa State University. She identifies herself as a woman of color (a native Japanese and thus, non-native English speaker), a mother of two, married to a Russian man, and Jewish. She recently added another layer of identity as a cancer survivor. She finished her last radiation treatment last month and is currently on medical leave. After an inspiring conversation between me and my…
By Kimine Mayuzumi In Part I of “inspiring quotes about slowing down,” I introduced some quotes on what prevents us from slowing down. Today, I am excited to share Part II, regarding what are important ingredients for slowing down. Words can be powerful when you digest them not only with your mind but also with your heart. These quotes are gentle reminders for you to pay attention to and be mindful of what you do.…
