The Slow Professor: How to Move Slowly and Intentionally Again

I just finished reading the book The Slow Professor. As with many of the books I’ve been reading, the main focus was the idea that in today’s world too much is expected of us in a short amount of time, efficiency is valued over depth and reflection, and we’re all just a bit overwhelmed. When did moving a little slower become a thing of the past?

I would love to tell students and fellow teachers: Take your time, use pen and paper, flip through the pages of your textbook, highlight carefully, take your time to reflect. However, a lot of the time it’s not practical or acceptable to move that slowly- and textbooks, grading, and calendars have mostly become digital. However, in many cases, I think we can still create the opportunity to do things more slowly and mindfully in school, work, and life. 

That is, if we’re selective and intentional about it. 

Maybe it’s just another passing fad in 2026 but I love the idea of the ‘analog trend.’

I would guess that I use AI a little less than most people, and that’s probably partly because of the season of life I’m in. I spend my free time with my kids, and when grading papers I’m too set in my ways to start using AI for any part of it (as long as I’m not required to). 

However, I can still tell that the moderate amount that I have used AI in previous months temporarily caused a decline in my critical thinking skills, which was a bit scary, and has never happened before (even during bouts of sleep deprivation with babies, or watching too many kid cartoons). I could feel my brain struggling just a bit more than it normally would. It was harder to find the words or my natural flow when I wrote (a hobby I’ve loved since I was a kid- and I was a newspaper editor in college, too). So this was unacceptable, in my opinion. And if I’m being honest, I’m a bit frustrated that this is the direction our society is headed.

So I say slow down with social media and AI, try the analog trend. Maybe it’s cheesy, or will cause you to be less efficient, or it won’t be popular next year, but I say embrace it as soon as you can and for the long haul. Maybe not in every area of life, but pick a few areas where you can indulge in going slower. It might feel ‘clunky’ at first, but what you’ll probably also notice is that you’ll feel better- I know I do. 

When it comes to teaching online, I’ll certainly continue doing things exclusively on my laptop. But I’m picking other deliberate areas where I can move slowly. I’ve always used a paper planner and calendar for life, work, and family (and always will- I absolutely love it), I do keep my phone in a drawer while I physically play with my kids. I love flipping through the pages of a book (and will continue to prioritize holding a book rather than a Kindle). 

I’m also going to start taking hand-written notes for ideas for my blog posts. This feels like a very welcome change of pace. Typically I write posts in the Notes app on my phone because it’s more convenient. But I want to remember what it feels like to figure things out on paper again, it’s been such a long time. And new research says there’s more cognitive value (and better recall) when writing notes on paper and reading from actual paper books (or textbooks). I also plan to take paper notes in the faculty development classes I take, as well as when I come up with new ideas for my classes. 

These deliberate ‘slower’ activities is what’s at the heart of The Slow Professor. Instructors want the chance to take their time to grade, reflect, create, and be deep thinkers, without being subjected to the fast pace of other areas of life. I would argue that, not just instructors, but students, corporate employees, and parents are looking for the same opportunity. 

What are some areas that you could ‘go analog’ in or just move deliberately slower? Write down 1 area where you’ll prioritize your already analog habits, and 1 area where you’ll make a change and be deliberate about going slower. There is something very special about going slow when you want to savor things. I encourage you to do the same. 

Happy living and happy growing!