I wanna go where the pace of life’s slow.
—Jimmy Buffett
It really does seem as though things happen more slowly here on the island. I see several reasons for it:
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location We’re a whole lot of miles across a vast ocean from the US mainland. Sure, some stuff can be transported by air. Bigger items, or those deemed hazardous (anything with a lithium battery) end up going by ship and taking weeks (or months). Or something happens with the order or shipping and it will add many weeks to a project. Because of this, everyone tries to build in contingencies to the schedule, and there is a lot of tolerance for unexpected delays.
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time zone Depending on where in North America you are, we are from two to six hours “behind” time on the continental United States. That leads to a lot of “oh, darn, we need more information/another part/an authorization but can’t call because it’s too late on the mainland.”
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culture So, after a while, people become accustomed to delays and don’t get worked up about it. That’s generally a good thing, but occasionally someone has to get worked up or things don’t get done.
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weather Weather around here is unpredictable at best. And why not? I can walk ¼ mile down the road and it will be 5° (F) warmer and 10% less humid. Or vice-versa. Even the best hyperlocal weather apps I’ve found struggle and mostly fail.
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geography The mist forest is wonderful. I rarely think about leaving the mountain. Sometimes, though, the hot, sandy beaches and excellent surf call and it’s just a short drive to that different world. Or the tropical jungle with waterfalls and lava tubes. Or the snowy summit. Everyone else is subject to these same urges and, well, sometimes they override deadlines.
In all, I find this slowness healthier and more relaxing. There are exceptions (it took nine months to get the house re-roofed, during which it was uninsured through hurricanes and a fire scare). But mostly, I’m happier with this more leisurely pace.
Right now, our world seems perched on the edge of some major political, economic, and environmental shifts. It’s scary, even though I feel far away from the epicenter. Obviously, a lot of US voters feel these changes will be good. Many others don’t. Regardless, though, moving slowly will limit the damage that so often comes with cosmic policy shifts.
If you’re wondering how to cope with the changes, I suggest moving carefully, slowly, perhaps taking a day at the beach from time to time. “Don’t just do something, stand there.”
—2p