THE ART OF SLOW LIVING

Slow living is not a new concept. It’s been pondered, tried, and revisited many times in history. And as simple as it sounds, it seems as though now more than ever, slow living is a philosophy more and more people are working to implement in their lives. We have become accustomed to a world where we often spend more hours in a day interacting with a device than a real person. The art of slow living is meant to change that and put community, time, and what matters most to us at the forefront of our lives.

The idea is not about shutting down but rather learning to prioritize and knowing when to step back. It is about making opportunities to disconnect from the world at large, bringing that focus to our personal lives, our homes, and our communities. This philosophy encourages us to create a more balanced relationship with our technology, as a way to be more present and intentional individuals. Fast and efficient is not always better, and it certainly takes a toll on us and our surroundings. Slow living teaches us to find balance by shifting focus to our true values and away from just rushing around to do, see and be a part of everything.

We can start by assessing what is most important to us and what we know improves our well-being, then shifting the focus there. Feel free to say ‘No’ sometimes if it offers the time for self-care, whatever that may mean to you. Adding some simple rituals to support well-being can make a big impact. Perhaps build time in the day for a neighborhood stroll, a cup of tea, or incorporate a warm bath into the evening. We can also support our whole selves by cooking a well-thought out meal with fresh ingredients, either to enjoy alone or with loved ones. Even changing just 30 minutes in the day away from a screen and towards a simple enjoyable task like gardening or reading can help shift our mentality. And aligning ourselves with nature always supports slow living because nature inherently lives at a slower pace.

So let’s allow our values to shape our homes and our homes to shape us. With this in mind, we can work to bring quality rather than quantity into our homes. Let’s try being more intentional about the items we use and utilize less altogether. We are so accustomed to having more to make our lives efficient, but this also encourages the same fast paced lifestyle that is often weighing us down. Instead of multiples in our kitchen, for example, try working with only a handful of thoughtfully chosen mugs, pots, utensils, cloth napkins, etc. Take the time to hand wash and dry your items, fold linens and display only those that bring you joy. Yes, this takes more time, but slowing down will encourage us to appreciate the simpler things in life. Our spaces truly can nourish our souls, if we take it slow.