Inside: How slow living can change your life: Tips for slow living.
I think we all felt the difference in 2020, when life slowed right down and we were forced to sit back and do less. Then life went back to normal and our busy schedules took over and that slow pace was forgotten. Well, almost.
There is an increasing number of people who want to step off the hamster wheel. Who don’t want to go through life at such speed that they miss out on actually living that life. Who have had enough of society pushing adverts and consumerism at us 24/7. And slow living is their answer.
This post will share the different ways to slow down your life so that you can enjoy living again.
What is slow living?
The slow living movement originated in Italy in the 1980’s in response to a McDonald’s opening in Rome. Carlo Petrini and a group of activists formed the Slow Food movement, which aimed to promote traditional recipes and customs.
In 2004 Carl Honoré brought the idea into the mainstream with his book In Praise of Slowness. The movement has inspired people to take the principles of slow food and apply them to other areas of life – if not their entire lives.
A romanticised version of slow living would be living in the countryside, spending your days in the garden, drinking tea and picking flowers. And as wonderful as it would be to live that life, it isn’t quite as simple as that when you have a job, kids, and other commitments to consider.
Slow living is about incorporating more of the following:
- Being intentional with your time
- Aligning with your values
- Quality over quantity
- Mindfulness
- Living in the present moment
- Sustainability
If you can live more intentionally, in the moment, in line with your values, you will be able to work towards creating a life that benefits your wellbeing and the future of our planet.
Is slow living the same as simple living?
Simple living and slow living share a lot of the same principles but are not one and the same. Simple living focuses on reducing the amount we consume, whether that be clothes, toys or social media.
Simple living isn’t about deprivation, getting rid of everything you own and living in a minimalist home. It is about focusing on what is actually important and in line with your values. It’s about taking a step back from a society that constantly tells us that we need more, more, more to live life with fewer possessions and commitments.
Of course, slow living shares many of the same ideas. If you own less stuff then you won’t have to tidy as much, meaning you have more time available for intentional living. Quality over quantity in relation to everything you buy so that you aren’t adding to the waste culture. And with a less cluttered life, comes the headspace to be more present.
But plenty of people live slow lives without having a minimalist approach to their home. And equally, there are plenty of people who declutter their lives but aren’t mindful with their time or their impact on the environment.
The benefits of slow living
With a slow living lifestyle having a focus on mindfulness and being intentional with your time, you can immediately see how that will benefit your mental health. We live such busy lives as a society and the result is feelings of overwhelm, burnout, increased anxiety and stress – all of which are not how we want to live our lives.
More time
Instead of scrolling through Netflix or Instagram, mindlessly filling your time, a more intentional life is one that allows for time to do activities that bring a benefit to you in some way.
Less stress
We live in such a fast-paced world, with a never ending to-do list that reflects our busy lifestyle. By making a conscious choice to live a slower pace of life, you’ll eliminate pressures on your daily life and this will therefore reduce the stress that you face.
Stronger relationships
A slower lifestyle allows for increased quality time with your friends and family. Instead of rushing through the day until you finally collapse into bed, you’ll be able to give them your full attention so that you can strengthen bonds and enjoy time together.
Increased happiness
With more time, less stress and stronger relationships, you will create a ripple effect for all areas of life. This in turn will bring more happiness as you begin to enjoy life again, being able to focus on the important things that align with your values.
Slow living tips
If you want to embrace the concept of slow living, there are lots of easy ways to get started. The following tips are listed in an order from what are the more simple things to do as a first step, to the more difficult areas to make changes in your life.
Reduce consumption
We live in a society that is constantly bombarding us with messages telling us to buy more. Sharing the ways that our lives will be so much better if we have the latest gadget or dress in the latest fashion. All that actually happens is the big businesses get rich from our instant gratification while we fill our homes to bursting, until we throw stuff away to make room for the next big thing.
Our lives don’t actually improve, we just live in a constant cycle of feeling as though we don’t have enough, all the while our planet is suffocating with the waste we create.
You can make a change right now, in this moment, to decide that you won’t take part in it anymore. You don’t need to buy that new jumper – you already have 5 in your cupboard. And if you actually do need something new – because the old one has worn out and cannot be fixed – choose to buy sustainably.
Reduce the environmental impact by using sites such as Vinted or if you must buy new then look for ethically and sustainably sourced materials.
It isn’t all about clothes though. How often do you buy new things for your home because you’ve seen someone on Instagram sharing the latest home trends? How often do you stock your cupboards with food, only to throw it out because it went bad? Think before you buy anything – do you actually need it?
Reduce screen time
Another change you can make right now – decide to reduce your screen time. Whether that be TV, phone or games console – see how much time you can claim back when you choose to spend time away from screens.
We complain about how little free time we have. But if we take an honest look at how much time we spend watching tv or scrolling social media, we realise that the time has been there all along.
Slow living isn’t necessarily about cutting out tv and social media altogether, but about using it intentionally. Want to watch a tv program you love? Fantastic! Want to catch up with a friend’s feed? Cool! But don’t just mindlessly scroll if you have no purpose – it just wastes time that you could spend doing anything else.
Say no more
Are you a yes person? Someone who always agrees to help out at the school fair or says “of course” to meeting up with that friend who brings you down? Part of having a slow lifestyle is protecting your time and using it intentionally, so why would you waste it doing things that you really don’t want to do?
Let someone else help out at an event for a change – you are not the only person they can ask. Set boundaries within your relationships so that you reduce the amount of time spent with anyone who pulls you down. Equally, if you do not have the capacity then you have to say no to everyone. Your time is yours, so protect it with a no.
Increase quality time
If you’ve cut out screens and you’re not giving your time to things you don’t like, you’ll find you have more time to spend with the people you love. Play games together, go on walks, go for a swim, sit and enjoy a meal together – all things that usually get pushed aside because we are all in such a hurry. It isn’t about spending every waking minute together, but making better use of the time that you are together.
It can be hard to push against the norm – especially when kids want to play computer games and chat with their friends – but after a while everyone starts to feel the benefit and you’ll all settle into this new way of life. Even if it is for one evening a week.
Get outside more
With slow living having an emphasis on sustainability and reducing our carbon footprint so that we care for our planet – it makes sense that we should spend more time getting to know that planet.
When was the last time you walked barefoot in the grass? Felt sand between your toes? Walked through a forest? Stood under a full moon?
We are part of this planet and yet we spend so much of our time inside concrete buildings. Get outside, get more fresh air and get to know our natural world. She’s the only one we have.
Slow down
Slow living does not mean doing everything at a snail’s pace. Slow living means being present in the moment, whether that moment be doing the dishes or walking the dog. It means focusing on the task at hand instead of trying to physically or mentally multitask.
The Slow Food movement came about in response to fast food chains. But even home cooked meals are made an eaten as quickly as possible in today’s world. Try being present in the moment when you cook the next meal. Savour the sound of the knife on the chopping board, take time to breathe in the aroma from the pan, serve it up with care on each plate or present it in a serving dish on the table.
Try mindful eating when you sit down to enjoy the meal. Fully taste the flavours and enjoy the different textures. Talk. Have a conversation around the table. Make the meal into an event so it isn’t a mad dash before everyone disperses to their own screen but instead you laugh and engage with each other.
Take simple pleasures from tidying up. It is something we have to do if we want to live in a clean and tidy home, so why not turn it into a mindful activity instead or a chore? Absorb yourself in each task and feel gratitude that you have a home to take care of, a home that is full of joy and warmth.
Rest
It shouldn’t be so far down the list but I am a realist. It isn’t easy to slow down to a point of being able to rest. But if you’ve made it to this point in the list then you’re well on your way to having a slower-paced lifestyle.
It is ok to do nothing. To sit and stare out of the window at the trees swaying in the wind. To listen to music while you lay on your bed. To have a hot drink as you read your favourite book. It is ok to do activities that aren’t focused on anyone or anything but resting your mind and body.
Grow your own or buy local
I have put this last as I am well aware that being able to grow your own food or have the budget to buy local produce isn’t a luxury afforded to everyone. If you don’t have space to grow fruit and veg, why not make your own windowsill herb garden to help your slow cooking develop.
If you can’t buy local, why not try buying seasonal foods from the supermarket instead of the tropical foods that are shipped half way around the world.
Recommended books
I have read a few good books – all from the library I might add – and if you fancy reading more about Slow Living or Simple Living, I can recommend the following:
The Art of Slow Living; How to enjoy the simple things in life by Madonna Gauding.
This book is not one that needs to be read from beginning to end to be able to start using the tips. Instead, dip in when you want to try another idea for creating simplicity and slowness in your life. Lots of great ideas, from redefining success to looking at the sky.
Destination Simple: everyday rituals for a slower life by Brooke McAlary.
This is a quick read but one filled with helpful exercises to get you thinking about your current daily routine and how you can simplify it to be calmer and allow for a slower way forwards.
The art of Simple Living: practical steps to slowing down, finding peace and enjoying a wholesome life by Sam Lacey.
The book is broken down into the home, mealtimes, getting away, staying connected and self care. Perhaps focused more towards simple living reather than slow living but some great ideas to take on board nonetheless.
A year of living Simply by Kate Humble.
Again, it is focused on simple living really but it is the book that started my journey and I really enjoyed learning about her journey to finding a new way of living. It is more of an inspirational book than a self help book but worth a read.
Making small changes over time, making a conscious effort to live life using a mindful approach, can change your life in so many ways. We only get one life, it is up to us to live in a way that makes our world a better place.