Well, you’re not alone: more and more people today are suffering from overwork. According to the “Wellness at Work” report by Deloitte, over 58% of Malaysians were affected by burnout in 2022, with the figure expected to rise by 5% this year.
For Malaysian Philosophy Society (MPS) co-founder and managing director Chew Zhun Yee, the expectation imposed on people to be productive and engage in “side hustles” means even leisure has been commodified in today’s fast-paced society.
In response to this, MPS is organising “The Art of Bersantai: Live Love Labour 2023” – also known as Malaysia’s first philosophy, lifestyle and art Festival of Slow Living. Its goal is to encourage a mindful and balanced approach to life, as well as foster self-awareness and emotional well-being.
Founded in 2017, MPS is the national body for philosophy in Malaysia. Consisting primarily of philosophy graduates and enthusiasts, it is dedicated to raising awareness of this discipline in the country.
Speaking with FMT Lifestyle, Chew explained that slow living invites Malaysians to “slow down in their lives, from our approach to meals and leisure activities to our relationships, parenting, and more”.
“In practice, this involves periodically hitting the brakes, engaging in ‘bersantai’ (relaxation) moments, embracing idleness, and allowing the mind to wander freely from time to time,” she said.
The concept is not about wasting time or being inefficient. Rather, it aligns with what Canadian author and journalist Carl Honoré terms “good slow”: a balanced approach to life that combines high productivity with a conscious slowing-down.
As such, the events of this inaugural festival at Publika Shopping Gallery in Kuala Lumpur have been curated to provide guests with a holistic experience that addresses stress and burnout in their lives.
“We collaborate with experts in psychology, expressive arts, mental and physical wellness, journalling and more, to provide guests with the necessary tools to craft their own version of a well-lived life,” Chew added.
What does this mean? Visitors can expect experiential workshops on art therapy, yoga, meditation, as well as burnout and “reboot” sessions. Concepts such as slow living, quiet quitting, and modern relationships through the lens of philosophy will also be explored.
Highlights include “Socratic Sembang” sessions, based on the concept of Socratic dialogues, as well as the “Santailah Space Out” competition, where participants will engage in 45 minutes of genuine “bersantai” without speaking or using their phones. They are then invited to share a short piece of their reflection on social media.
Elsewhere, a featured booth called “Heart to Heart Phils” will allow participants to discuss profound questions they don’t often explore with their partners or friends, to foster deeper and more meaningful conversations and relationships.
Additionally, there will be an immersive marketplace where artisans and creators who champion the slow-living movement can showcase their talents and products; as well as many attractive prizes up for grabs!
Chew invites one and all to discover the benefits of slow living for themselves at the festival, saying it is crucial for society to tackle burnout to stave off associated mental-health problems.
As such, “be prepared to gain deeper self-understanding, foster meaningful connections with your loved ones, and summon your courage to ask ‘why’”, she said, before concluding with a caveat:
“All forms of work during the festival are strictly prohibited. Embrace your inner sloth and truly ‘bersantai’!”
‘The Art of Bersantai: Live Love Labour 2023’ (FREE admission)
When:
Oct 21 (Saturday) @ 9am-6pm
Where:
Me.reka Makerspace @ Publika Shopping Gallery,
Solaris Dutamas,
No 1, Jalan Dutamas,
Kuala Lumpur
For more information and to claim your visitor’s pass, visit the Malaysian Philosophy Society’s website here.