Yes I’ve definitely felt I don’t really fit in the slow living mold as it’s presented on social media. My love of video and board games, quirky and vintage clothes (no minimalist wardrobe here), dependence on technology, and the reality of my messy sometimes fast-paced brain (as I’m neurodivergent I often need my phone to help me manage my chaotic brain!) just didn’t match up so I’ve felt that I’m failing at slow living. But now I’m working on how a slower life approach can fit with the reality of my life and what I want from it.
Can really relate Sally. Similar to you I'm glad I've got to the point of embracing who I am instead of trying to put myself into a mould. We don't have to tick all of the visual boxes, just create lives that feel intentional to our own unique interests!
Gosh...yes, yes, yes to all of this! I had the exact same thoughts as you when I first started this "slow living" journey, I put pressure on myself to throw away all my things and be the perfect "minimalist" and in all honesty, it made me miserable. I love the term you used "slower living" and I feel that is a perfect term to strive for. I have two children and four animals and a husband that hoards wires, my house will never be the sort that has 99 items in it and I'm ok with that. What I'm not ok with is rushing to someone else's schedule by booking in all the activities (apart from my headteacher, she can stay!), not having time for things that bring me joy like reading and baking and spending money on things that I'm made to feel I should have (bigger house, better car etc) rather than things that enhance my slower lifestyle. Thank you for braving and posting this, it's resonated so much with me xx
Thank you for such a thoughtful comment. Glad you resonated with slower living, it feels much more expansive to me. What you said around not rushing around to someone else's schedule is another thing that really pulled me towards this way of living, more time to do the things that fill up your cup, on your own terms :)
Hi Jodie, it's so interesting that like you said there are so many parallels between what we both shared! It feels very validating to read. And I love what you share about sharing the challenges of trying to live slower - I particularly love 'slower living' as it feels like it captures more the point that it's a process rather than an end point, trying to live slower in a capitalist world is surely going to be an ongoing countercultural commitment. Also so important to recognise that most of us have been taught in one way or another to find a sort of familiarity in the fast pace so as you shared the slowness might not feel comfortable or safe straight away. Thank you so much for sharing all these thoughts, they've been a pleasure to read!
A great reminder that slow living is about the feeling, the intention, and not just another aesthetician trend. I have 3 children and sometimes life feels the ab solute opposite of slow and simple. But I try to focus at least once every day on something slower, something simpler - like taking the extra few minutes to make a latte at home before walking to work, tea in hand. Or lighting some incense first thing in the morning and watching the smoke rise for a brief but slow moment. Acknowledging the ebb and flow of life is part of what slow living is for me.
Yes I’ve definitely felt I don’t really fit in the slow living mold as it’s presented on social media. My love of video and board games, quirky and vintage clothes (no minimalist wardrobe here), dependence on technology, and the reality of my messy sometimes fast-paced brain (as I’m neurodivergent I often need my phone to help me manage my chaotic brain!) just didn’t match up so I’ve felt that I’m failing at slow living. But now I’m working on how a slower life approach can fit with the reality of my life and what I want from it.
Can really relate Sally. Similar to you I'm glad I've got to the point of embracing who I am instead of trying to put myself into a mould. We don't have to tick all of the visual boxes, just create lives that feel intentional to our own unique interests!
Gosh...yes, yes, yes to all of this! I had the exact same thoughts as you when I first started this "slow living" journey, I put pressure on myself to throw away all my things and be the perfect "minimalist" and in all honesty, it made me miserable. I love the term you used "slower living" and I feel that is a perfect term to strive for. I have two children and four animals and a husband that hoards wires, my house will never be the sort that has 99 items in it and I'm ok with that. What I'm not ok with is rushing to someone else's schedule by booking in all the activities (apart from my headteacher, she can stay!), not having time for things that bring me joy like reading and baking and spending money on things that I'm made to feel I should have (bigger house, better car etc) rather than things that enhance my slower lifestyle. Thank you for braving and posting this, it's resonated so much with me xx
Thank you for such a thoughtful comment. Glad you resonated with slower living, it feels much more expansive to me. What you said around not rushing around to someone else's schedule is another thing that really pulled me towards this way of living, more time to do the things that fill up your cup, on your own terms :)
Hi Jodie, it's so interesting that like you said there are so many parallels between what we both shared! It feels very validating to read. And I love what you share about sharing the challenges of trying to live slower - I particularly love 'slower living' as it feels like it captures more the point that it's a process rather than an end point, trying to live slower in a capitalist world is surely going to be an ongoing countercultural commitment. Also so important to recognise that most of us have been taught in one way or another to find a sort of familiarity in the fast pace so as you shared the slowness might not feel comfortable or safe straight away. Thank you so much for sharing all these thoughts, they've been a pleasure to read!
A great reminder that slow living is about the feeling, the intention, and not just another aesthetician trend. I have 3 children and sometimes life feels the ab solute opposite of slow and simple. But I try to focus at least once every day on something slower, something simpler - like taking the extra few minutes to make a latte at home before walking to work, tea in hand. Or lighting some incense first thing in the morning and watching the smoke rise for a brief but slow moment. Acknowledging the ebb and flow of life is part of what slow living is for me.
Oh autocorrect, I meant aesthetic....