I used to hate slow walkers. Then I got sick and I became one of them.

"I felt a responsibility to zigzag ahead when people weren't going fast enough, following the unspoken law of the land."

"For the first time, I was the one going at a glacial pace."

The author reflects on their past as a fast walker, fitting in perfectly with New York City's culture of haste. However, after being diagnosed with a cardiac issue at 29, they experienced a drastic shift in their identity when forced to slow down. Accompanied by their fiancé, the author navigates the challenges of moving at a slower pace, including facing judgment from fellow New Yorkers accustomed to speed. This experience reveals the societal pressures surrounding pace and empathy towards those who cannot keep up.

Read at Business Insider