Hello sweet friends, Happy Monday! This past week I posted a reel over on my Instagram showcasing and discussing how to live slowly in a busy and urban environment. Much of what I see of people choosing a slow lifestyle is connected with homesteading and living rurally. I adore and absolutely hope for this someday but for those of us that cannot make that work yet or living more remotely doesn’t appeal how can we still have a slow and intentional lifestyle? Is it really possible? When you aren’t surrounded by nature and can’t truly live by the seasons?
These questions have been on a bit of a loop in my mind lately as I pursue this journey. I have felt at times the intense contrast between wanting to live in this way and yet as soon as I step outside my door I am engulfed by the chaotic energy of people constantly rushing, “needing” to pursue, hustling for more. And I find it quite challenging if I am honest. I know in my heart I want to hold onto pursuing a wholesome life with certain values and yet when I am constantly having to be immersed in anything but that. If you are moving too slow in the car you’re honked at, if you are taking your time in the grocery store you’re frowned upon, if you think you’re actually going to smile at someone on a walk you won’t because their nose is glued to their phone. So how do we live authentically and slowly when most of the world is this way? I don’t have a “solution” per se but I am finding ways to combat this.
The first way I attempt to combat this is by just recognizing and accepting what I said above. Until I am able to live more rurally and can have nature on my doorstep; it is important to recognize that people in this urban area do not have those same wants and hopes as I do. Even if it feels so contradicting to what I want.. their need to consume and rush doesn’t need to sway how I live my life.
Next, I keep the space I can control aka my home in a way that supports my values. Decorating slowly and giving my space warmth. Cooking slowly and tending to my space. With cleaning with nontoxic solutions and tidying. Bringing nature in where I can. So lots of plants inside and then come spring I will be adding a raised bed to my little deck so I can grow some herbs and veggies. By making your space a cozy bubble that encompasses your slow and seasonal values it will allow the contrast of what you experience outside of that less abrasive feeling. Because you’ll know you can come back and have a space that encompasses all the things you love and value.
Along those lines also creating little rituals or traditions for yourself and partner or family is a nice way to slow down. By creating them it allows us to enjoy and dive into the current season and not get swept up in technology or endlessly scrolling. For me a ritual I absolutely love since it so cold outside is when I wake up in the morning by my cutie puppy we get up and I let him out and then I come in and turn on my little fireplace and then go to the kitchen to make his breakfast. Then we go for a walk and once we’re back I make my pour over coffee. Being intentional with this ritual makes it something I look forward to each morning. It is small and might seem insignificant to call a ritual but it is a loving one to me and that’s what is important.
Lastly, to me an aspect of living slowly is nurturing. Nurturing your home, your plants, your passions, your family, and the inner you etc. So creating space to nurture yourself through rituals and getting in touch with the beauty of each season is important when not succumbing to the pulls of our current culture. Atleast it has helped me not feel as pressured to be like everyone else. To not just endlessly consume because I am tending to more important things. I hope these small tips help if you too are struggling with the contrast of the outer world being more chaotic world and your home where it is slow and intentional. Let me know what you do to slow down and be present to the moment.
Talk to you soon,
M
Whimsy & Willow 