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The official website of the International Institute of Not Doing Much.
Humorous slow-lifestyle articles and stories from the almost true to the truly absurd. |
The IINDM has a pedigree that goes back to the early eleventh century. Only by gaining some knowledge of the Institute’s rich history will new members come to a full appreciation of the fine art of not doing much. The Institute is aware that new members need time to learn our slow ways. Those who have mastered the art are revered. They may use the ritual hammock in the west wing each afternoon, with the exception of Thursdays, when Mrs. Plessey comes in to clean the regalia. [CONTINUE]
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Professional Vacationer
Responsibilities:
- Vacation in luxury locations such as private tropical islands, castles in the mountains, and private estates
- Report on your vacation by postcard at three-month intervals
- Travel slowly by private yacht, sedan chair, or elephant. However, occasionally you may have to suffer flying by private airplane
- Delegate any unpalatable social events or over energetic activities to one of your immediate staff.[CONTINUE]
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Dear Member:
The Institute has decided to do something about the many letters it receives describing the most appalling conditions beyond the walls of Crumpetworthy Park. As you know, time poverty is of epidemic proportions. Stress is rampant, and then there is a wide-spread pathological obsession with getting things done. Just the other day, a young woman suffering from compulsive list-making disorder (CLMD) was brought in by her relatives for treatment by Dr. Emile Lenteur. You’ll remember his ground-breaking discovery of relaxons, those beneficial particles given off by slow people that make others around them feel a terrific sense of wellbeing and the impulse for a cup of tea and a sit-down. [CONTINUE]
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1. Drink a cup of tea, put your feet up and stare idly out of the window. Warning: Do not attempt this while driving. 2. Do one thing at a time. Remember multitasking is a moral weakness (except for women who have superior brain function.) 3. Do not be pushed into answering questions. A response is not the same as an answer. Ponder, take your time. 4. Learn our Slow Manifesto. 5. Yawn often. Medical studies have shown lots of things, and possibly that yawning may be good for you. 6. Spend more time in bed. You have a better chance of cultivating your dreams (not your aspirations.) 7. Read the slow stories. 8. Spend more time in the bathtub. (See letter from Major Smythe-Blunder.) 9. Practice doing nothing. (Yes this is the difficult one.) 10. Avoid too much seriousness. Laugh, because you're live on earth for a limited time only. 
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Slow Manifesto
There are those who urge us to speed. We resist!
We shall not flag or fail. We shall slow down in the office, and on the roads. We shall slow down with growing confidence when all those around us are in a shrill state of hyperactivity (signifying nothing). We shall defend our state of calm, whatever the cost may be. We shall slow down in the fields and in the streets, we shall slow down in the hills, we shall never surrender!
If you can slow down when all around you are speeding up, then you're one of us. Be proud that you are one of us and not one of them. For they are fast, and we are slow. If a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing slowly. Some are born to slowness—others have it thrust upon them. And still others know that lying in bed with a morning cup of tea is the supreme state for mankind.
Forty Hours
Forty hours is long enough
for toil and strain and strife.
It's really all too rough,
this so-called working life. All work can make you such a bore,
so put your feet up and relax,
and don't feel guilty if you ignore
e-mail, phone, and fax.
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Join Us
Join the 2500+ members of the IINDM. It's free and, as you would expect, you don't have to do anything. Sign up and be notified of new stories appearing on slowdownnow.org. They show up slowly, every few months, or once in a blue moon. By joining you must be committed to inaction, but you can (optionally) display our Slow Logo on your site. We'll send it to you automatically.
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