I’m sure you have heard the phrase “slow living” before. If you haven’t, I’ll do my best to explain it and hopefully it inspires you to adopt a more “slow living” lifestyle.
So, what is “slow living”? I will give you my definition of what “slow living” means, in my own words. “Slow living” is all about living life more intentionally, and slowing life down in your everyday life. To live more intentionally by mindfully, or paying attention, to the mundane tasks in your life, as well as making intentional decisions, especially when it comes to what you do with your time. To slow life down in your everyday life to me means learning to enjoy the little things in life: reading a book, writing a letter, meditating, even domestic activities such as gardening or cleaning.
The intent is to be more mindful with your mundane tasks, and also learning to enjoy and appreciate old-fashioned activities or activities that promote a more domestic lifestyle. I enjoy lighting a candle, making a cup of coffee, and settling in with a good book or my journal. Activities that promote slowing down. This is the opposite of technology activities like social media. We all probably spend enough time on our phones or social media everyday. But how often do you find ways to slow down? Even cooking a meal or recipe, taking your time to really enjoy it, instead of rushing to get supper on the table.
Making sourdough bread used to be something I would do all the time. I haven’t made it a while, and really kind of miss it. Did you see the Taylor Swift special appearance on her boyfriend’s podcast? She said she is really into making sourdough bread. This is so cool! I thought I was the only one my age that did that kind of thing. Now everybody is doing all these domestic activities! I don’t feel so different now.
Slow living also has many benefits. It helps to reduce stress, because you aren’t rushing. It improves focus and therefore productivity. When you doing slow living tasks, practice single-tasking. For example, when you are cooking or baking, turn on some jazz or calming music, and only cook or bake. Focus on the recipe, and mindfully make the recipe dish.
Incorporating slow living practices to part of your life, because I know it’s probably not possible to make your whole life slow living, helps to enable you to enjoy your life more. Think about it, if you are practicing one activity a day or even a week, it calms you, and therefore lowers your stress. These small activities will compound over time, causing an overall, general lower stress persona onto to your life. It is bound to make your life better if you practice it every day or every week. The same as you do if you meditate. The benefits compound over time, and gradually helps your life to be more calm and less stressful.
There are millions of slow living ideas we could all think of. So take 5 minutes today to write down 3 ideas for slow living, that you think you would like to do, or maybe you have longed to find the time to do. Then make a point to do those “slow living” activities over the next few weeks. You will find that you are able to think a little clearer and feel less stressed. It’s kind of like meditation when you practice slow living. I try live my life, as much as possible, by the “slow living” ideal. Thus, participating in “slow living” activities everyday. But I have always loved old-fashioned things or domestic activities. They fulfill me.
What “slow living” activities are you going to make time for this week?
