In a world where everything from our coffee to our careers seems to move at breakneck speed, the concept of slow living offers a refreshing alternative. But what’s this lifestyle choice all about, and why should we care? As life’s pressures mount from every angle, slow living invites us to take a step back, prioritise the things that matter, and embrace simplicity and consciousness. In this article, we’ll explore what slow living means, its origins, its principles, and the tangible benefits it brings. We’ll also provide practical tips to start living life more deliberately.
The Year of Sitting Dangerously is the story by Simon Barnes, whose trip to a Zambian safari was put on hold, due to the pandemic. So instead he walked to a folding chair at the bottom of his garden, and sat down. His itinerary is to sit in that same spot each day for a year to see (and hear) what happens all around him.
As he watches the world around him change each day, he begins to see his surroundings in a new way. And by restricting himself, he opens up new horizons and grows closer to a world he thought he knew well.
Simon Barnes is the writer of many books on nature and wildlife. He is a council member of World Land Trust and patron of Save the Rhino. Awarded the Rothschild Medal for services to conservation, he lives in Norfolk, where he manages several acres for wildlife.
How to Be Busy: Unhurried Living for Chaotic Lifestyles shows how to find calm during seasons when you simply can’t be busy. Clear some space that goes beyond decluttering. Sometimes you have to be busy if you have those to care for or jobs to work.
Learn how to be busy but slowly. Learn how to eliminate digital distractions and find tough-love tips for unhurrying your busy days, with end-of-chapter tips on how to be busy well.
Understanding Slow Living
The roots of slow living can be traced back to the slow food movement that began in Italy in the late 1980s. This was a response to the rise of fast food and the erosion of traditional culinary practices. From there, the slow movement expanded, influencing various aspects of life including work, fashion, and travel. It emerged as a counterbalance to the relentless hustle of modern life, proposing a more meaningful way of living by valuing quality over speed.
Core Principles of Slow Living
Central to slow living are a few key principles:
- Mindfulness: Being present in each moment reduces stress and increases awareness.
- Sustainability: Choosing to consume and live in ways that are environmentally conscious.
- Intentionality: Making deliberate choices that focus on quality, not quantity.
These principles help detach us from the overstimulation and speed that have become the norm.
Benefits of Embracing Slow Living
Fast-paced living can contribute to anxiety, depression, and burnout. In contrast, slow living prioritises mental health by encouraging us to be more present, thereby reducing stress levels. Taking time to breathe and appreciate small moments can significantly enhance our well-being.
Relationships thrive on genuine interaction, something often sacrificed in our haste. Slow living encourages spending quality time with loved ones, fostering deeper and more meaningful connections. By placing emphasis on relationships, we create stronger bonds.
At first glance, slowing down might seem counterproductive. Yet, by focusing more on the task at hand, rather than juggling multiple tasks at once, our productivity can actually improve. This approach fosters creative thinking, as our brains have the space to explore and innovate.
Dutch People Are Masters of ‘Doing Nothing!’
So many people these days exhaust themselves, by doing something. Obviously doing something is good when you should be doing something (paramedics and even growing vegetables). But don’t do something, when you should be doing nothing!
This way of living is an antidote to the modern world, filled with what the late anarchist lecturer called Bullshit Jobs (a book for anyone whose heart sinks at the sight of a whiteboard, or believes that ‘workshops’ should only be for making things). You know these type of jobs – ones that endure simply because they help powerful people – lobbyists, telemarketers, bailiffs etc.
Niksen is the Dutch concept of ‘doing nothing’. This is a very interesting concept, because we learn that Dutch children (the happiest in the world) don’t do homework! They also are pretty much given their own freedom, with parents not thinking there’s a child attacker on every street. Families don’t use smartphones or tablets when in a room together, there’s a lot we can learn from them.
A Man Who Does Nothing – for a Living!
Rental Person Who Does Nothing is a fascinating book. The true story of a man in Japan who literally rents himself out to ‘do nothing’ for most of the time. Services he offers are for things that actually matter: he goes to restaurants with people who don’t want to eat alone, is the other player in a board game or keeps a space in the park for someone to come view the cherry blossom.
Shoji (a Japanese earthquake expert) started his own ‘job’ to offer services for the lonely and socially anxious, after a boss told him that he contributed nothing, and it made no difference whether he showed up to work or not. So he wondered if a person who ‘does nothing’ could still have a place in the world. With one tweet, his Rental Person service was born.
He now rents himself out for useful services, to help others. This can be listening to a secret that someone needs to reveal, ‘testing’ how it would be to have someone live with you or even wave goodbye if you leave a train station for a long journey. The rest of the time – he does nothing!
Ways to Incorporate Slow Living
Starting your day with purpose can set the tone for more mindful living. Instead of rushing through the morning, take time to enjoy a relaxed breakfast or a moment of prayer. These rituals ground us, providing a calm mind for whatever the day holds.
Our devices, though useful, can often overwhelm. Try setting boundaries around screen time. Designate tech-free periods, turning attention to physical books or nature walks. This helps reconnect with the physical world, reducing digital distraction and stress.
Our homes should be sanctuaries of peace, not cluttered chaos. Consider decluttering spaces to promote serenity. Simple additions like plants, natural light, and calming colours can transform a space, fostering relaxation and mindfulness.
For plants, learn toxic plants to avoid near pets. Never face indoor foliage to gardens (to help stop birds flying into windows).
