Book Review | Chasing Slow by Erin Loechner
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Their current respective career choices: #1-Dolphin Doctor, Librarian, and Ancient Mythology Expert, #2-Batman, Computer Game Designer or New York City Garbage Collector, #3-Fashion Designer, Monkey Doctor and/or DJ, and #4-Ironman? Needless to say I think our future dinner conversations will be most interesting!
Book Review: Chasing Slow by Erin Loechner
I’m not sure how I came upon this one. I think perhaps in the Library app looking for another title and getting distracted again by like recommendations. I’m so glad I did.
Have you ever picked up a book and resonated immediately with the author and the circumstance described?
My husband often listens to NPR and has a wealth of knowledge about many things including amazing new scientific discoveries, newly unearthed ancient relics, the state of the economy and how many are struggling.
I have heard him say many times we are not alone. In our struggle. To make ends meet. To increase our income. To race against the rising cost of housing. To try to get ahead. Just a little bit. All while simultaneously and deliberately choosing a different path. A slower pace–mostly. At home. Teaching our children.
While I have heard him recalling statistics, none of them really resonate with me.
This book did.
Erin shares her experience early on in the book about starting down the path of the American Dream, house near the beach, renter’s making it possible. Then waking up one day in 2008 to have it all come crashing down, upside down on the house, recommendations to short-sell, moving home.
This is the first, first hand account I have read of someone else’s painful story of this time. I’ve known of a few others personally, but hadn’t seen it in print.
Our’s was painful too. Upside down on our house after only signing papers a few months before. 1st pregnancy > nope, I’m sorry 1st miscarriage. 1st parent’s cancer returning. 1st corporate sell off > no job. Recommendation to short sell > no offers > bankruptcy. Turmoil. Moving North > moving home.
I’ve also been on a journey of choosing fast. Choosing slow. Choosing more. Choosing less. Landing somewhere in the middle of it all. Always trying to stay aligned with intentions. Fighting hypocrisy and hiding from it within myself. Valuing authenticity while battling the reality of it inside.
Chasing Slow is beautifully and uniquely designed. I love the little math lessons aligned vertically in black bars similar to some of the design elements I’ve chosen for my free website guides & checklists. My favorite:
“Math Lesson 002 // Happiness = What You Decide It To Be, No More, No Less” p. 46
Another math lesson truth, in the main text this time. “It doesn’t matter what you remove. What matters is you stop adding it back.”
I am also reading the book Mindset by Carole Dwek. This book explores the difference between fixed and growth mindsets. I have both. Depending on the subject. But mostly like Erin, “I am still here 30 years later, still struggling to avoid failure.”
I love her many insights. Especially this one: “The answer to a happy marriage is the same as the answer to a happy life. It is simple, and it’s not at all simple: give freely.
And her advice to herself regarding Mathew 19:30 But many are the first who will be last, and many who are last will be first. “Erin, keep slowing down. You’ve got a race to lose.” p. 203 Just substitute my name at the beginning, two sentences back please.
I love her definition of authenticity:
“Authenticity, I think, is simply trying to find the kindest way to tell the whole truth.” p.206
Throughout the book are sprinkled lists including: The Reasons I Said Yes, How To Fill An Empty Space, and Five Reactions To I’m Having A Home Birth. I can relate to all of them, especially the last one. Mine would be slightly different but equally amusing.
Another nugget of beauty are the recipes weaved into the narrative. Similar to Bread & Wine by Shauna Neiquist, Erin weaves a story with the practical how to details if you’d like to immerse yourself even more. Sometimes a food recipe, other times a life recipe. “My Real Eight Minute Beauty Routine, On Most Days” and “Raw Brownie Recipe” to name a few.
I love the editorial layout of this book: bold typography, black and white bar elements, and beautiful photography. Even more I loved her insights and ah-ah realizations spurned from a life of action and reflection.
“I do not yet realize that, without Grace, pursuing the slow life is just as exhausting as pursuing the fast one. Without Grace, minimalism is another metric for perfection.” p. 158
“Chasing slow is still a chase” p. 159
This book was a lovely read, one I didn’t want to put down. Lovely nuggets of wisdom and truth shared as a goodwill offering to help us stop chasing after ______.
Of all the 68+ notes I took, I’ll leave you with this one:
“Grace is giving someone else a free pass and realizing God has already passed his along.” I hope to remember this the next time I am impatient, frustrated, or resentful.
Like Erin, I’ve been on a journey to a deliberate slower pace, intentional time being with and teaching my children, carving out a space online to share this work, and helping others on their own journey.
I highly recommend this hard-for-me-to-put-down book. I’ve already added it to my re-reading list.
You can find her book everywhere but if you’d like to help support our little shop here’s the affiliate link to the book: Chasing Slow by Erin Loechner
Here’s a link to our little book shop: https://bookshop.org/shop/sisusiteshop
You can read her blog here: https://designformankind.com
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