Embrace Lateness: Alex Snider's Rebellion Against Speed Culture

As National Be Late for Something Day (September 5) approaches, former government strategist and meditation teacher Alex Snider is challenging the cult of speed that pervades modern life. In his new book, Sometimes You Should Be Late: The Quiet Rebellion of Slowing Down in a World Obsessed With Speed, Snider argues that chronic urgency—an unconscious reflex to move faster and do more—can override our own values and lead to burnout. He suggests that honoring your own clock means creating space to respond consciously, rather than letting others' urgency dictate your choices.

Snider offers four practical steps to break free from chronic urgency without sacrificing responsibility or productivity. First, acknowledge the pressure from workplaces, culture, social media, and AI that reward speed. Second, separate external "shoulds" from your own genuine desires by asking whose clock you're following. Third, build more spaciousness into your life by leaving room between meetings, scheduling fewer activities, and creating buffers. Fourth, return to perspective when urgency takes over by taking a few breaths and asking what truly matters. The goal isn't to be perfectly slow but to retain authorship over your choices.

The book, published by Practical Inspiration Publishing on July 7, 2026, is available on Amazon.com, Bookshop.org, and BN.com. Snider, who co-founded Mindful Fed and draws from his 15 years in high-pressure federal environments and a life-altering bike accident, blends research, stories, and practical reframes to help readers explore their relationship with time. His insights are particularly relevant in a world where constant connectivity and productivity demands leave little room for reflection. For more information, visit SlowMindfulness.com.