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Do you feel like there is never enough time in the day to do anything you enjoy? Your ordinary life can lose its charm if you’re always on the run. You might experience tension and overwhelm as a result of it. Therefore, you should take a step back and attempt leisurely living if you notice that days or even weeks are flying past. Have you developed the habit of responding “busy!” when asked how you are? In that case, you are not alone! Although being busy is not an emotion, it has still evolved into the typical response to that query. You might find that slow living is the cure you need for your frantic lifestyle. There are times in life where we are almost forced into living a bit more slowly like after giving birth, recovering after surgery like liposuction recovery and the pandemic especially, with lockdowns and feeling trapped in our homes a lot of people opted for and started to enjoy a slower and less busy type of life.
The slow food movement gave rise to the slow living movement. The slow food movement, which first appeared in Italy in the 1980s as a reaction against fast food, sought to preserve traditional cooking methods and reintroduce the joy of eating and entertaining others over food. From there, the concept grew to encompass living slowly in all facets. Living slowly can be done in a variety of contexts and methods. Although there is no one “correct” method to live slowly, there are some characteristics that a slow living way of life exemplifies.
Reduce your consumption
Slow living doesn’t need you to become a minimalist, although many of the same ideas hold true for both. Learning to appreciate what you already have and limiting your buying are two key components of slow living. When you start to think more carefully about your things, you’ll undoubtedly discover that there are certain situations where you can cut back on your consumption, make use of what you already have, or recycle something rather than throw it away.
Say yes to life slowly and no to other pursuits
Do you tend to say “yes” to requests for your time and let others fill up your calendar? Making intentional use of your time is one of the main tenets of slow living. You must learn how to say no if you want to do it.
No to your family’s insistence that you cook a different weeknight dinner recipe, no to your daughter’s school’s request that you chaperone a field trip, and no to your boss’s need for your time after work. Start saying no and putting your foot down.
Increase your sleep time in your timetable
Slow-living individuals place a high priority on rest. So make an effort to schedule extra downtime. This might manifest as daily journaling, an afternoon sleep, or ten minutes of morning meditation.
You can also work in brief periods of rest into your days. Spend a little longer enjoying your coffee while gazing out the kitchen window, lingering in bed with your partner, or giving your kids extra-long hugs. Resting also includes slowing down and being aware of your time.
Put your phone away
Connecting with your environment, whether that be with other people or with nature, is a big element of slow living. Every time you have a free minute, resist the impulse to check your phone.
On your phone, there will undoubtedly always be something to do (checking email, responding to texts, online shopping, etc.), but how much of that is truly urgent? Spend your time reflecting and becoming more aware of your surroundings rather than reaching for your phone out of comfort or boredom.
Get outside
Slow living is fundamentally about being in tune with nature. Getting outside, even if it’s only to sit beneath a tree in your yard or take a short walk around the block, is one of the easiest methods to accomplish this. Leave your phone at home and focus on your surroundings.
Cultivate your own food (or buy locally)
It’s true that most individuals cannot or do not find it practicable to raise their own food. However, many of us have space on the kitchen shelf for a small garden. Taking care of something like a basil plant allows you to develop patience, connect with nature and your food, and offer you something to look after. Try to buy local or organic produce if you are unable or unwilling to raise your own food. Sustainability is embraced by slow living, and this extends to your diet. Eat locally to lessen your influence on the environment and to assist regional farmers and producers.
How much it can improve your mental health is one of the biggest advantages of living slowly.
A side effect of speeding up? a more peaceful way of life and less stress. Fewer stress results from having fewer commitments on your calendar, fewer things you “have” to accomplish, and a more thoughtful style of living.
Another advantage? more leisure, personal, and self-care time. You’ll have more time to do things that truly fulfill you and more time for yourself if you cut back on commitments or activities that take your attention away from what you care about most.
Numerous health advantages of strong relationships include enhanced satisfaction and even longer life. What one thing can you do to make your relationships stronger? You’ll give your relationships more room to grow if you live slowly and reclaim your time. Additionally, spending time with friends and family is more enjoyable when you are totally present.
You will live more purposefully if you are intentional with your life. Slow-living people make time for the things that are most important to them and live by their core principles. Your mental health and general well-being will improve if you have a sense of purpose.
Spending less and saving more becomes second nature when you embrace a slower pace of life and learn to value what you already have. It simply occurs!
