Life at Three MPH

What does it mean to live and work at a three mph pace?

Our lives are marked by the pace at which we live them.

As a child, we heard fables that championed the tortoise, but everything in our society promotes the way of the hare—the relentless pursuit of more.

It should come as no surprise that our default pace is often hurried and harried.

From mind-numbing scrolling to noisy advertisements, we feed into algorithms and systems designed to create hurry sickness and chronic burnout. 

This addiction to what Ronald Rolheiser called “pathological busyness” is even more common among creatives and entrepreneurs. Call it an occupational hazard, but its long-term effects can be disastrous. 

How many of us pick up our phones first thing in the morning or aimlessly scroll our nights away? Still, no matter how much time we give our devices, there always seems to be more content to consume.

It can feel as though we’ll never catch up.

In a digital age where distractions abound, the healthiest response is to go against the grain and create a Three MPH life.

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What does Three MPH mean?

Three miles per hour represents the distinct difference between moving at an average walking pace vs. an all-out sprint. But in a world of great urgency, walking can feel countercultural.

Consider how often we use the word “run” in our daily conversations.

We’re “running” the race while “running” our businesses as if hustle is required for the long “run”—until we completely “run” out of steam.

When the very fabric of our society prioritizes speed above all else, rejecting the rat race is not only rare; it becomes radical.

To “ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life,” as Dallas Willard recommends, you must be willing to pause, reflect, and confront hustle culture head-on.

Thankfully, as you find yourself on this unconventional journey, you won't have to travel alone. Here, we explore how our work and lives can be enriched by moving at the sustained pace of Jesus.

Instead of pursuing convenience and ambition at all costs, we’ll cultivate a quiet, contemplative way of living that produces our best work. It won’t be easy, but it will be simple. 

At Three MPH, we believe…

• Bigger is not better. 

• Rest is essential for deep work. 

• Hurry is the enemy of rest. 

• Intention restores our attention. 

• Every decision we make is a part of our formation.

To create an unhurried life, we’ll need to marry the practical with the purposeful. That’s what we’ll aim to do together.

By subscribing to Three MPH, you’ll receive an ongoing collection of essays written by a fellow slow-living enthusiast and recovering workaholic who aims to demystify the journey ahead. Consider me less of an “expert” (we don’t need more of those) and more of a friend along the way.

Some essays will be deeply personal while others will be written in a collective voice. Some speak against modern hustle culture while others turn ordinary experiences into everyday lessons. Most will reveal the challenges and joys of intentional living, but all essays end with a moment to reflect and participate in the conversation.

Starting a large movement and amassing followers is certainly not the goal here. Instead, we intend to foster community, create intimate spaces, and openly share what we know—all in hopes of creating a Three MPH life.

Won’t you join us?

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A moment to reflect

What is one decision that’s helped you intentionally decrease the pace of your life or business? Share it with us in the comments.