What is Slow Living? And How Can I Get On Board?
Recently, I’ve seen the term “slow living” everywhere. Hell, even my mom asked me about it. What is slow living? At first, I was really confused by the concept, but then I was almost fully consumed by it.
Slow living, or slower living, is the process of slowing down your life and appreciating the things around you as much as you can. In our daily lives, it can be so easy to become all consumed in technology, in personal problems, in work, in school, or in just about anything… But slow living is all about taking extra time to appreciate life – appreciating taste, appreciating those around you, appreciating art, appreciating nature. Basically, it’s the antithesis of the hustle culture that’s still raging on today. So, obviously, who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?
Hustle Culture vs Slow Living
I’m sure you’ve heard “Hustle,” “Boss Babe,” “The Grind” and all of the other #hustleculture terms and phrases. In hustle culture, your career, money and success are at the root of everything you do. Everything you strive for relates back to what it will get you. Who do you talk to? What can they do for you? Where do you put your time? Is it toward your life goals? While putting effort into your goals and success is important, #hustleculture can be really toxic for a few reasons:
- It’s exhausting.
- You’re no longer able to enjoy the little things.
- Your happiness is on the backburner.
When it comes to hustling and being on the grind all of the time, you might miss out on all of the little things in life. Are you allowed to read a book that isn’t about life improvement? Are you allowed to make a cup of tea and sit out on the balcony for an hour? Are you allowed to take some time to walk your puppy around the block?
How to live slower
Slow living is all about taking time for yourself, and in the end, you will feel so much more amazing than you would otherwise. Here are some of the ways I have incorporated slow living into my life.
Read every day
Whether it’s for a few minutes or a few hours, try to read every single day. And no, don’t include your work material as reading. Read something you enjoy, that brings you joy. Read a book about dragons, or read a romance novel. Read your favorite online magazine and peruse it until you find something fun.
Mindfulness
You don’t have to be ‘on’ every second of the day. You don’t constantly be working or reaching for the stars. Take a few minutes to put your phone down, make a cup of coffee or tea and sit. Whether you want to meditate, or simply sit with your thoughts, just sit. Don’t reach for something to read, don’t reach for your phone. Sit and relax for as long as you can. Clear your mind.
Enjoy Taste
When is the last time you really enjoyed a meal? I mean, really took the time to think about the taste of your drink or the food you’re eating. Next time you make a cup of tea or make dinner, put your phone away, turn the TV off and enjoy it. Honestly, enjoying my food and drink makes me think about all of the things I should be more thankful for. We take so much for granted when we’re always on the go.
Enjoy Nature
Even if you live in a big city, there has to at least be a park nearby. Try to, at least once a week, get out and enjoy nature. Go on a hike, sit down and read at the park, hammock. Do something outside and really enjoy it. Look at the leaves falling from trees, or how the wind moves everything around. Smell the freshly watered grass of the park. Take it all in.
Unplug
I challenge you to leave your phone off for an hour every morning. I know it’s hard, and I know all we want to do is to grab it and start scrolling through TikTok or Instagram but don’t. Instead, leave your phone off, head to the kitchen, make yourself some coffee or tea and have a relaxing morning. If the weather permits it, go outside, sit on your porch or take a little stroll. If not, do some yoga, stretch your body, meditate. Start the morning off right.
Spend More Time Together
Without phones, without TV, just spend time with those you love. Put everything away and do something together. Maybe make a meal together, play a board game, play some music and dance around the house. Just be together and be happy.
Find A Hobby
It doesn’t matter what it is. Knitting? Painting? Hula Hopping? Going to spin class? Drumming? Learning guitar? It doesn’t matter. Take time out of your busy week to participate in a hobby. The best thing about this is that it doesn’t have to equate to anything. Don’t only do your hobby so that you can approve, just do it for fun. Do it to feel good. Do it to relax.
Put More Effort Into You
Don’t get dressed for anyone else, don’t do your makeup because you want people to think you look good. Do your hair for you – get dressed for you – put makeup on (or don’t) for you. One of my favorite parts about slow living is taking the time to figure out what I want to look like on the daily. Put on an outfit you adore even if it’s out of your comfort zone, do your hair in a new way. Look amazing, but do it for you.
What is slow living? How do you perceive it? Let us know in the comment section below!
2 thoughts on “What is Slow Living? And How Can I Get On Board?”