Moving at the Speed of Broth
In our fast-paced world, where productivity is often equated with worth, I want to introduce a concept that lies at the heart of my work as a postpartum centric full spectrum doulas: “Moving at the Speed of Broth” This phrase captures a slower, more intentional pace of life, one that I believe is crucial, especially in the postpartum period. In postpartum, we are often required to move at this speed, whether we realize it or not. Whether we want to or not. And from this slowness, there is so much we can learn and extract. It offers us a kind of medicine that can nourish us deeply if we let it.
In postpartum, life requires us to slow down and be present. The rhythm changes, and the urgency of daily life takes a backseat to the needs of a newborn, the healing body, and the emotional shifts that come with welcoming a new life. It is a time when moving at the speed of broth becomes not just a choice but a necessity.
Just like a well-made broth, which requires time, care, and patience, this period demands a similar approach. A nourishing broth isn't made in a rush; it involves slowly simmering bones, vegetables, and herbs over several days. It’s a process that extracts the essence of each ingredient, creating something deeply nourishing and healing. Broth-making is about preparation, patience, and the gentle coaxing of flavors and nutrients. It is, in essence, the slowest thing I make for my family, yet it’s also one of the most nourishing. This mirrors the postpartum period — a time that, although slow and demanding, yields some of the most profound nourishment for a new family.
The Magic of the Simmer
One of the most important aspects of making broth is never to boil it for a long period. Instead, we let it gently simmer. Why? Because in the slow simmer, impurities — proteins and blood from the bones — rise to the surface. These impurities can be skimmed off, leaving a clearer, purer broth. If we were to boil the broth at a rolling boil, pushing it too hard, we would miss the opportunity to skim these impurities away. The rapid boil would cause the impurities to disperse back into the broth, clouding it and affecting its clarity and flavor.
There is a profound symbolism here that speaks to the benefits of slowness. In our own lives, when we are moving too fast, when we are at a rolling boil, we don't have the time or space to recognize and address our own impurities — the stress, the anxieties, the unresolved emotions. These impurities can then settle back into our being, clouding our clarity, affecting our mental and emotional well-being. By slowing down, by moving at the speed of broth, we give ourselves the time to recognize these impurities and to gently skim them away, leading to a clearer, more present way of living.
Winter and the Speed of Broth
This idea of moving at the speed of broth doesn't just apply to postpartum; it is relevant to other "winters" in our lives as well. Whether it’s the literal winter season or a metaphorical one — periods of grief, loss, change, or transition — these are times that call for us to slow down. Moving at the speed of broth gives us the opportunity to integrate the bigger feelings that naturally arise. It allows time for comfort, community, and nourishment, the elements that are essential for moving through these periods and emerging on the other side.
Challenging the Overculture
Choosing to move at the speed of broth is a radical act in a culture that prioritizes speed, efficiency, and constant productivity. The overculture teaches us to value ourselves based on what we can produce, how quickly we can accomplish tasks, and how much we can achieve in a short time. This capitalist, commodified, consumerist mindset keeps us speeding, grinding, and hustling, often at the expense of our nervous systems, mental health, and overall well-being.
But what if we chose to move differently? What if we rejected the relentless push to be productive above all else and embraced a slower, more intentional pace? When we move at the speed of broth, we are not just slowing down our actions; we are changing our entire way of being. We create space to breathe, to rest, to be present. We allow ourselves the time to listen deeply — not just to the voices around us but to the quiet whispers within. This slowing down helps us see deeper into what is right in front of us. It lets us connect more authentically with ourselves and with others.
Creating Nourishing Rhythms
At Birdsong Doulas, moving at the speed of broth is more than just a catchy phrase; it is a guiding principle. It's about recognizing the inherent value in taking things slow, in prioritizing rest and recovery, and in allowing ourselves to be nourished in every sense of the word. When individuals, families, and communities move at the speed of broth, we collectively create a culture that values well-being over productivity, connection over consumption, and depth over speed.
In this rhythm, we find a counter-narrative to the culture of hustle and grind. We find a way of being that honors the postpartum period, the winter seasons of our lives, and all the transitions that ask us to slow down. We find a way of being that allows us to extract the deepest nourishment from each moment, just like a slowly simmered broth. Moving at the speed of broth is not just a concept; it's a practice, a commitment to living in a way that is sustainable, nourishing, and deeply connected.
So, let us all consider: how can we move at the speed of broth in our daily lives? How can we create space for the slow, nourishing simmer of our own existence? Let's find the courage to slow down, to savor, and to be nourished by the broth of life.
About Erica Livingston
Erica is a postpartum centric full spectrum doula passionate about driving change at the intersection of public health and social justice, I am dedicated to advancing systemic change in birth, postpartum and reproductive equity.
As Co-Founder and CEO of Birdsong, this dynamic doula-centered maternal health and education brand, including comprehensive doula trainings and mentorship programs, I've spearheaded rapid expansion and transformative impact in the field. Training and mentoring brand new doulas serves as a grassroots approach to catalyzing systemic change from the ground up and it’s something I LOVE TO DO!