A Matter of Speed: Staffers debate whether the internet trend of “slowmaxxing” is a healthy mindset

“You need to slow down.”

Five words I can’t stand.

As a junior in high school, being busy is my entire life with homework, ACT tutoring, nannying, volunteering and countless extracurriculars taking up every ounce of my time. 

So when the term “slowmaxxing” appeared on my TikTok For You Page, time and time again, I was, of course, annoyed that the internet had found a way to glamorize being unproductive.

Sure, in theory, “slowmaxxing,” or taking time to slow down your life, sounds nice. Cooking dinner instead of warming up leftovers, sitting outside while enjoying a cup of coffee instead of chugging it before school, taking a long walk in the park instead of a quick jog on the treadmill — but not only is this lifestyle unattainable, it’s also very unrealistic. 

It’s recommended that students have less than two hours of homework each night, according to the National Society of High School Scholars. 

But clearly, schools couldn't care less about recommendations — not when two hours of homework is what I consider a lighter night of work.

And honestly, I don't mind running around from one activity to another or staying up past midnight; in fact, I enjoy it. 

Because not only am I learning dedication and hard work, but I’m also preparing to join the corporate workforce that thrives on late nights, around-the-clock calls and missed vacation days every year.

In fact, almost half of workers globally feel they’re being left behind in the workforce, according to LinkedIn Corporate Communications, and I don’t plan on being one of them. 

If I have to stay up a few extra hours to complete all my homework after an already packed afternoon of nannying and math tutoring, I know it'll be worth it in 10 years, when I'll already be used to a busy schedule.

And what really bothers me is when “influencers” who’ve never had to work more than two hours a day think it’s okay to normalize an easy and laid-back life when, for many, that will never be attainable. 

I’m not saying taking a relaxing evening to enjoy a book or see a movie with friends is bad, but “slowmaxxing” takes those moments to another level, one that is only practical for influencers. 
So, why make impressionable audiences think that slowly going through life is the way to live, when most people need to learn how to keep up with the pace?

It was never-ending.

Productivity hacks that promise straight A's.

Fitness plans that guarantee dramatic changes in one week.

On social media, there’s always a constant goal to dramatically change yourself. And with thousands of different looks spreading all over the media these days, people want drastic changes in their physique, personality, grades, and more in a matter of seconds.

But recently I found a new side of TikTok — slowmaxxing.

Rather than trying to “max out” your looks, success and productivity overnight, slowmaxxing promotes small habits and patience.

This could mean reading a few pages of a book a day instead of trying to finish a whole school  reading assignment in one night.

It could also mean building a short and consistent workout routine rather than training for hours a day to get immediate results, or even decreasing screen time each day rather than quitting social media entirely. 

The constant pressure to upgrade leaves people feeling behind or even degraded in their looks and overall mindset. When improvement is framed as urgent and dramatic, normal growth isn’t seen as normal.

The trend of slowmaxxing not only sets a positive mindset but also reduces burnout. When people try to change everything at once, they often give up after not seeing an immediate result. Motivation fades, especially when schedules become busy and unrealistic expectations only lead to disappointment.  

Getting into the habit of “slowmaxxing”  is especially useful for students. With busy schedules, this trend reminds them to take things one step at a time and balance a day filled with classes, sports and extracurriculars. 

Academic success doesn’t come from one night of studying before a unit test. It comes from paying attention, doing homework and reviewing regularly. The same applies in sports and music. Skills develop gradually over time with consistency, not in mere hours.

A study by Phillippa Lally and her team at the University College London found that it takes an average of 66 days for a new form and behavior to visibly show and become automatic. 

Does this sound familiar? 

Social media will always have fast-moving trends. But if more of them encouraged patience, consistency and balance, results will actually show and online culture might feel less overwhelming. Slowmaxxing reminds us that sometimes the best way to improve is moving one step at a time rather than trying to run up a mountain.