Nanjing, like most large Chinese cities, hits hard, fast, and relentless. Getting swallowed up in the rhythm of the city just… happens, almost any time you step outside your home. Life can feel like a marathon you didn’t sign up for. Equally, it’s possible to isolate from the hubbub, but this usually involves staying home, alone, and there’s only so much of that you can do before you go a little loopy.
南京和中国大多数大城市一样，打击力强、快、无情。 几乎每次你走出家时，都会被城市的节奏所淹没。 生活感觉就像一场你没有报名参加的马拉松。 同样，有可能与喧闹隔离，但这通常涉及独自呆在家里，在你有点疯狂之前，你只能做这么多事情。
Balance is the answer. Imogen Heap’s stunning song, “Xizi She Knows”, encourages us to take a moment amongst the madness. Living the fast life right isn’t about running harder; it’s about running smarter. So how do we thrive in a world that never slows down, unless you move back to the old world!?
平衡就是答案。 Imogen Heap令人惊叹的歌曲《Xizi She Knows》鼓励我们在疯狂中花点时间。 过快活不是要更努力地跑，而是要跑得更聪明。 那么，除非你回到旧世界，否则我们如何在一个永远不会放缓的世界里茁壮成长！？
Step 1: Embrace the Pause
第1步：拥抱暂停
When the pace of life feels overwhelming, the power of a pause can be transformative. Pause to breathe, to notice, to reflect. I’ve expounded on the delights of Zixia Lake before, but Nanjing overflows with all sorts of hideaways that offer a gentle reprieve. There’s Xuanwu Lake, Mochou Lake, and one of my lesser-known favourites; Gulin park. Take 5 minutes to let your mind wander or focus on the rustling leaves instead of your to-do list.
当生活节奏感到不堪重负时，暂停的力量可以改变。 暂停呼吸、注意、反思。 我以前解释过紫霞湖的乐趣，但南京充斥着各种藏身之处，提供温和的缓和。 这里有玄武湖、莫州湖，还有我鲜为人知的最爱之一；古林公园。 花5分钟让你的思绪飘忽不定，或者专注于沙沙作响的树叶，而不是你的待办事项清单。
Bear with me. Consider setting your WeChat or email notifications to silent for a few hours. Trust that the world will still turn without your immediate input.
忍耐一下。 考虑将您的微信或电子邮件通知设置为静音几个小时。 相信没有你的即时投入，世界仍然会转动。
Step 2: Redefine Productivity
第2步：重新定义生产力
In a society that often equates busyness with success, it’s easy to fall into the trap of “more is better”. But true productivity isn’t about doing more; it’s about doing what matters.
在一个经常将忙碌等同于成功的社会中，很容易陷入“越多越好”的陷阱。 但真正的生产力不是做更多的事情，而是做重要的事情。
Prioritise. Write down three key tasks for the day instead of an exhaustive list. The focus should be on quality over quantity.
优先排序。 写下当天的三个关键任务，而不是详尽的列表。 重点应该放在质量上而不是数量上。
Time Blocking. Borrow a page from the modern worker’s handbook and set dedicated time slots for specific tasks. For example, spend 30 focused minutes on work, then reward yourself with a break.
时间封锁。 从现代工人手册中借用一页，为特定任务设置专用时间段。 例如，花30分钟集中精力工作，然后用休息来奖励自己。
Sod it All. Sometimes the most productive way to spend time is to “waste” it. Honestly, nothing recharges the batteries like staying in bed all day.
把它全部化。有时，最富有成效的消磨时间方式就是“浪费”它。 老实说，没有什么比整天躺在床上更能充电的了。
Step 3: Stay Grounded in the Present
第3步：在当下保持踏实
Fast-paced living often comes with a sense of always chasing the next thing. One of the best things I find about living away from Nanjing, now, is feeling less possessed of the spirit of the city; that is, the feeling of never resting. Brighton, in England, where I live now, seems anchored In its past, and thus less obsessed with always hustling. I appreciate this, while sometimes missing the dynamism of Nanjing. Let’s synthesise these feelings; try doing life one thing at a time. When walking down the bustling streets of Nanjing, resist the urge to scroll through your phone. Observe the world around you; the interplay of old city walls with modern skyscrapers is a reminder of balance.
快節奏的生活往往伴隨著一種總是追逐下一件事的感覺。 现在，我发现远离南京生活最好的事情之一就是感觉不那么被城市精神附身了；那就是那种从不休息的感觉。 我现在居住的英国布莱顿似乎立足于过去，因此不那么痴迷于总是忙活。 我很感激，但有時也怀念南京的活力。 让我们综合这些感受；试着一次做一件事。 走在南京繁华的街道上时，要忍住翻阅手机的冲动。 观察你周围的世界；古老的城墙与现代摩天大楼的相互作用是平衡的提醒。
Step 4: Cultivate Community
第4步：培养社区
Living fast can sometimes mean living lonely. Strong social connections are a crucial counterbalance to the hustle.
快活有时意味着孤独地生活。 强大的社会联系是与喧嚣的关键平衡。
Regular Check ins. Make time to connect with friends and family. Social gatherings are vital lifelines. While scheduled calls to friends and family back home are great, sometimes an impromptu video call, perhaps after a big night out, can bring the spontaneity that reinvigorates a relationship.
定期签到。 抽出時間與朋友和家人建立聯絡。 社交聚会是至关重要的生命线。 虽然定期给家乡的朋友和家人打电话很棒，但有时即兴的视频通话，也许是在一夜情之后，可以带来自发性，重振一段关系。
Shared Activities. Join local events, perhaps via your school or workplace, that align with your interests, such as board game gatherings or weekend hikes up Purple Mountain. Shared experiences foster a sense of belonging. There aren’t any? Start your own!
共享活动。 参加符合您兴趣的当地活动，也许通过您的学校或工作场所，例如棋盘游戏聚会或周末徒步到紫山。 分享经验培养归属感。 没有吗？ 开始你自己的！
Step 5: Don’t Fear Saying “No”
第5步：不要害怕说“不”
In a city as dynamic as Nanjing, opportunities to engage and participate are endless. But saying “yes” to everything can leave you drained. Here’s where to remember to, sometimes, say “sod it all”.
在像南京一样充满活力的城市，参与和参与的机会是无穷无尽的。 但对一切都说“是”会让你精疲力尽。 这里是有时要记住的地方，说“所有”。
Set Boundaries. It’s okay to decline an invitation or step back from a project if it compromises your well-being. Saying “no” to some things allows you to say “yes” to things that truly matter.
设定界限。 如果项目会损害您的健康，可以拒绝邀请或退出项目。 对某些事情说“不”可以让你对真正重要的事情说“是”。
Protect Your Downtime. Treat rest as non negotiable. A long, sod-it-all weekend is sometimes the necessary elevation from the sod-it-all evening.
保护您的停机时间。 把休息当作不可協商的。 漫长而漫长的周末有时是漫漫夜晚的必要提升。
Step 6: Find Your Rhythm
第6步：找到你的节奏
The fast life doesn’t have to mean chaos! Done right, the fast life is a dynamic dance that energises.
快活不一定意味着混乱！ 做对了，快活就是一支充满活力的舞蹈。
Learn From Nanjing’s Pace. The city’s dual identity as both a historical hub and a modern metropolis offers lessons in balance. Like Confucius Temple steadfast in its history, standing strong in the middle of an outburst of modern architecture, you too can honour your roots while chasing innovation.
向南京的步伐学习。 这座城市作为历史中心和现代大都市的双重身份提供了平衡的教训。 就像孔子庙在其历史中坚定不移，在现代建筑的爆发中坚强地屹立不倒，你也可以在追求创新的同时尊重自己的根基。
Step 7: Celebrate the Small Wins
第7步：庆祝小胜利
In the fast life, it’s easy to rush from one accomplishment to the next without taking the time to celebrate.
在快活的生活中，很容易不花时间庆祝就匆匆忙忙地完成下一个成就。
Daily Gratitude. Take a moment to reflect on the day. I admit, this used to be a lot easier for me to do when that time was pre carved out for me; riding my e-bike home was tailor made for it. But in an ideal world, we’d sit for 10 minutes on getting home and decompress. If you sign up for all that, then write down three things you’re grateful for each day. If you’re more normal than this, then just take a moment to see it, internally.
每日感恩。 花点时间反思一下这一天。 我承认，当那个时间为我预先划定时，这对我来说要容易得多；骑电动自行车回家是为它量身定做的。 但在理想的世界里，我们会坐10分钟回家放松。 如果你注册了所有这些，那就写下你每天感激的三件事。 如果你比这更正常，那就花点时间在内部看看。
Thrive, Don’t Just Survive
茁壮成长，不要只是生存
The fast life will always be a part of modern living, especially in cities like Nanjing, where past and future seem to exist simultaneously, pulling you in different directions. But with intentionality, mindfulness, and balance, you can transform the chaos into harmony.
快速的生活将永远是现代生活的一部分，特别是在像南京這樣的城市，那里的过去和未来似乎同時存在，把你拉向不同的方向。 但有了有意、正念和平衡，你可以把混乱变成和谐。
Remember, the goal isn’t to outrun the fast life; it’s to ride the wave and find your stride within it. In doing so, you’ll not only survive but thrive, creating a rhythm that is uniquely your own. And if you’ve made it this far and are still reading, do yourself a favour and listen to “Xizi She Knows”. If you’re like me; a romantic, deep down, you won’t regret it.
記住，目标不是超越快節奏的生活；而是乘風破浪，在其中找到你的步伐。 这样做，你不仅会生存，而且会茁壮成长，创造一种你独特的节奏。 如果你已经走到这一步，并且还在阅读，请帮你自己一个忙，听听《她知道的西子》。 如果你像我一样；一个浪漫主义者，内心深处，你不会后悔的。
