Slow living: what is it?
Slow living is a term that can be defined differently for everyone. For me, my definition of slow living is leading my life unhurriedly, taking each step as it comes. Learning how to love and care for myself better. Doing the things I enjoy. Not beating myself up when something doesn’t go entirely according to plan. This is something I am still learning how to do, but as I incorporate more of this practice into my daily routines, the difference of how I feel is very apparent.
Slow living is not something that is for everyone, and that is okay. I am an introvert through and through and find that the best way for me to exist happily is to live a quiet life. This is a personal preference.
Is slow living achievable for anyone?
You don’t need to live in a remote farmhouse in the middle of rural England to achieve a slow lifestyle, as social media may tell us (though that would make it extra nice). When I think of slow living, my first thought is of a remote cottage complete with a garden, farm animals, and nobody around to interrupt unless I want them to. And while having those things would be great, and that is a goal I work towards every day, a slow lifestyle can still be achieved without those things. Even in the noisiest of cities, you can find your own personal, quiet sanctuary.
Steps to a slow-rolling lifestyle
One of the first steps to take is to remove yourself from any situations that are causing you stress or strain, if possible. We can’t control all stressful situations, but we can control a lot of them. By this I mean, stop watching the news if it stresses you out. Stop scrolling endlessly on social media if you feel it sucking the energy from you. Stop bringing yourself around people that make you feel bad about yourself or encourage you to do things that you don’t want to do. Removing yourself from these situations is the first step of finding peace.
Next, finding a way to simplify your daily routines can make a large difference as well. Instead of rushing around each morning trying to beat the clock to work, try laying out your outfit and making your lunch the night before. Create a simple bedtime routine (such as shower, brush teeth, read, then sleep) to make it easier for you to wind down at the end of the day. Choose a day on the weekend to clean your house, wash your sheets, and reset for the coming week. Allowing these things into your weekly schedule may sound like a lot at first, but your mind and body will thank you.
The final step is to find things that bring you joy and allow you to enjoy your quiet time. Immersing yourself in hobbies is a surefire way to find what you enjoy and create beautiful things. Some of these hobbies could include reading, journaling, painting, crocheting, baking… the list goes on. If it makes you happy and helps you get your mind off things, it’s a hobby.
My personal journey with slow living
As I mentioned earlier, my journey to a slow lifestyle is still ongoing. It is not something that comes with instant gratification, as you have to work for it. I have spent many years of my life immersing myself in groups of people who have not always shared the same mindset, doing things not conducive with my wants and needs, and not doing what makes me happy. It hasn’t been until the last year or so of my life that I decided it was time for a change.
It no longer served me to devote my time and energy to trivial things. I stopped watching the news daily, because it’s depressing, and changed the way I consume social media because watching other people broadcast only the perfect pieces of their lives construes a false idea of what life should be like. I found what makes me happy, which just so happens to be what I built the premises of this blog on, and I’m taking it and running with it. There is no “right way” to find peace in your life, and whatever works for you might not work for other people. It’s all about finding your groove and going from there.
A quiet lifestyle may seem unattainable where you are in life right now, but that’s not always the case. While your dream lifestyle may not be right around the corner at this time, you can always take the necessary steps to get you closer to where you want to be eventually.
Check out some of my most recent posts:
- January Reading Wrap Up
- The Best Mulled Wine Recipe for the Holiday Season
- How to Start a Blog (and Get Over Your Fears)
- 15 Travel Essentials That You Can’t Live Without
- Book Review: Verity by Colleen Hoover
- How to Read More Books in a Year
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