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.
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.
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