Chasing Slow by Erin Loechner

Normally I can explain how I acquired a particular title, but I must confess I am not entirely sure why I bought this book.  It has been sitting on my Kindle for a few months now, and I can't remember if I read a review or if it was recommended to me by Amazon's analytics. Needless to say, it was an impulse purchase. I love books on decluttering, simplifying, finding calm in a wired world, slowing down and living in the moment.  Last year, when I finally tackled Marie Kondo's The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, I not only spent several months gathering and touching all my possessions, training my perfectly folded t-shirts to stand up straight, and ridding myself of vast quantities of unneeded stuff, I even divested myself of a car, a job, and (to my eternal shame) a couple of old friends that no longer "sparked joy." In other words, I come to self-help books with high expectations, and if you're not able to create "magic," I may be disappointed.

Written by "viral sensation and HGTV.com star" Erin Loechner, Chasing Slow promises to "refresh your perspective, renew your priorities and shift your focus to the journey that matters most." It sorta sounds a bit magical, and her opening sentence is a real jaw-dropper, 'I married a man with an expiration date. "Thirty," the doctor had said. "He might live to be thirty."'  Her husband Ken has an inoperable brain tumour, and that frightening fact hangs over her story.

The book is organized into 34 short chapters, with each chapter beginning with an inspirational quote, a couple of personal stories, a few bolded quotes from her own text, a random list, possibly a recipe, a math lesson (Math Lesson 001 // Trying + Failing = Learning) or a photograph.  The chapters do follow themes, but the personal stories seem to jump around, and I, for one, often felt lost on what I was supposed to take away from each chapter--even when guided by a Math Lesson.

I also spent a long time trying to figure out the genre. Is it a memoir, a self-help book, spiritual meditation, or a lifestyle magazine? Eventually I realized that it is really more like a blog, and a blog written by an online lifestyle stylist. I tried to ignore the inherent contradiction between what she does for a living and her stated purpose of turning away from society's dependence on material things and finding a deeper meaning in life.

I also quickly ascertained that she is a Christian, so many of her insights are faith-based.  For example, at one point she writes: "When we strip away every circumstantial identity-writer, mother, wife-we are left with the only identity that can never be in question: I am a woman of God." I rejoice for her faith, but it provides little guidance for those of us who constantly question the very existence of God. And perhaps more importantly, do we really want to "strip away every circumstantial identity" or should we try to more closely align those identities with our core needs, beliefs and values?

Overall, it can be an interesting read, even if it feels overstuffed with feel-good aphorisms, an oddly materialist form of spirituality, and more lifestyle tips than I was prepared to contemplate. For example, at the end of the book she provides some resources including a From A to Z-A Few Easy Changes to Slow Your Life, which includes suggestions such as Coconut Oil; Hydration; Knitting, or Something; Lavender; and Mason Jars.

Two and half out of five smileys.😊😊😶