“You know, you can just buy those at the store” “You know, there’s a machine that does that faster” - People who just don’t get it. I have spent the last 10 years making my life harder… ON PURPOSE. Since time travel isn’t yet possible, I’m trying to bring the good parts of history alive. Modern medicine is great, and people live longer, but what are we living FOR? I believe humans were made for community. Despite having every opportunity/medium to make connection more possible/probable now, humanity as a whole is lonelier and more disconnected now than it ever has been in the past. I believe a lot of that disconnection is the result of life being lived too fast, too easily. Our stuff is disposable and we trade our precious time for money to buy more of it, but in gaining convenience, we’ve lost connection. So I set out to slow things down. I’m restoring an old truck, because I want to think twice before I get behind the wheel, I want to drive slowly, and… have you ever driven an old car? Every time I go anywhere in it, folks stop and tell me stories they remember driving a car just like it. I milk my cow every morning because I needed a way to force myself into a regular routine that involved quiet, intentional time as I started my day. I grow a garden because I need a place where I can create order from chaos. I need a daily reminder to stop and smell the roses, trellis the tomatoes, and tend the soil. I wait all year for my peaches to be ripe, and that first bite I take? Absolutely worth every minute of the wait. I use handsaws and planes and chisels instead of machines because intentional conversation and deep thought can happen while using those tools… and really, what’s the hurry? Slowing down to learn to make a broom from my dear friend Al (@luckynailblacksmith on IG) gave us several hours to talk about life, craft, and the importance of community. Every time I use this broom, I’ll think about him, our conversation. When I teach others to make brooms, I’ll be sharing the lessons Al so patiently taught me. Every time I find a new teacher or a new skill, I get to rewind the clock. Btw, can you spot all the historical inaccuracies? 🧐😜