In today’s fast-paced world, finding peace and tranquillity can seem like a far-off dream. But there’s a secret to unlocking serenity, and it lies in the art of slow living. Slow Living is a lifestyle approach that encourages mindfulness and intentional living while disconnecting from the constant race against time. This blog post will delve into the world of slow living and uncover the keys to achieving a more serene and harmonious life (doesn’t that sound great?). Full disclosure: I’m new to this Slow Living life so, sit back and relax as we embark on a journey together to a calmer, more fulfilling existence.
The Art of Slow Living: Your Path to Serenity
What is Slow Living? I’ve discovered that Slow Living is not just a buzzword; it’s a lifestyle choice. It’s a way of living that encourages us to slow down, be mindful, and appreciate the present moment. Slow Living is a movement that began in Italy in the 1980s, and it has since spread throughout the world. Actually, its origins in Italy are traced to 1986 when Italian trailblazer Carlo Petrini protested the opening of a McDonald’s in Rome (Spoiler alert: McDonald’s did break into Italy in the end, as has Starbucks but Petrini is now considered the president of the Slow Food movement).
In sum, the Slow Living movement is about finding balance in life, connecting with nature, and living a simple and sustainable life. In my opinion, there’s no better place to experience Slow Living than the birthplace of the movement – Italy. As I learn about Slow Living, I will share a monthly Dolce Vita Moment (see this post and this post for examples) in an attempt to embrace a slower life.
The Benefits of Slow Living
The benefits of Slow Living are numerous. Slow Living helps reduce stress levels, improves mental health, and increases overall well-being. The theory of Slow Living purports that when you slow down and take the time to appreciate the little things, you start to appreciate life more. You start to notice the beauty in nature, and you become more mindful of your surroundings. In Puglia, every daily walk is an opportunity to slow down and take in the incredible natural beauty, as well as stunning architecture and we certainly take advantage, spending as much time outdoors as possible.
Slow Living also helps you to connect with others on a deeper level. When you slow down, you have more time for meaningful conversations and experiences with your loved ones. Before making to move to Italy, I recall several occasions where my mind was racing through my daily checklist and so focused on all the tasks that I failed to realize my wife was trying to have a conversation with me. Or worse, I was “listening” and “responding” but had no recollection of doing so. One huge benefit to embracing a Slow Life in Italy has been my ability to focus more on what my family and friends are communicating.
Another significant benefit of Slow Living is that it helps you to live a more sustainable life. When you slow down, you will naturally become more mindful of the impact you have on the environment. You may start to make more conscious choices about what you buy, how you travel, and how you live your life. Slow Living is about living in harmony with nature and reducing our carbon footprint. These are things we all think about on a daily basis, I’m sure, but when you are living a Slow Life mantra, you’ll be more prescriptive about your decisions, not just racing to choose the faster (though potentially more environmentally harmful) option to save time.
Finally, contrary to popular belief, Slow Living doesn’t mean being lazy or unproductive. In fact, it can actually enhance our productivity and creativity. When we take time to slow down and recharge, we are better equipped to tackle tasks with focus and clarity.
How to Incorporate Slow Living into Your Life
You’re probably thinking – sure, incorporating Slow Living into my life sounds easy peasy if I’m on a perpetual vacation in Italy, but how can I fit this into my already packed daily schedule. Well, like anything, Slow Living can be about making small changes that have a big impact over time. Here are some tips to help you get started:
Spend Time Outdoors
Take a walk in nature, go for a hike, or have a picnic in the park. This can be a stroll on your lunch break or a Sunday morning walk in a local park. Studies have shown that outdoor walks even for short periods can bring a wealth of benefits (boosting your mood, improving your mental well-being and ability to focus, among others), in addition to slowing you down.
Disconnect From Screens and Technology
Take a break from your phone, computer, and TV. Set a period of time, like the hour leading up to and after dinner, when you put electronics in another room on silent (mission critical for me as even vibrations can distract you from your relaxing activity as you wonder who is trying to reach you) and instead, read a book, play a board game, or have a conversation with a friend. Or do you have a hobby like knitting or baking – do that! Just focus on something enjoyable without the glow of a screen in front of you.
Cook Food at Home and Eat Mindfully
How often do we take the time to prepare a healthy meal with whole food ingredients, and savour each bite? I don’t know about you, but the pace of everyday life can often get in the way of preparing a good meal at home. Take-out, speedy food delivery and the availability of prepared convenience foods make it too easy to mindlessly obtain and eat food. Instead, commit to one meal a day (or if that’s too hard right now, commit to one meal a week) where you eat dinner at a table with your family, no screens, no distractions, just enjoying a meal with people you (presumably) enjoy spending time with. What a concept, huh?
Take a Daily Mindfulness Break
Take a few minutes each day to meditate, practice yoga, or do some deep breathing exercises. I know you’re thinking – ugh – I do not have time for this, I am a busy human being. Sure, I hear you but I will stress that again, this doesn’t need to be an hour-long hot yoga, try a 5-minute guided meditation between meetings, a super way to slow you down.
Simplify Your Home and Declutter
A cluttered home can lead to a cluttered mind. Did you know that simplifying your home can help you feel more calm and relaxed? Try it, you’ll see! Start by decluttering your daily relaxing space (like your living room or bedroom) or any unnecessary items you haven’t used or needed in the last few months. Then go broader and actually say goodbye to things you no longer need. Consider donating or selling items that are in good condition. Keep only the things that are necessary and bring you joy. This is a plug for decluttering guru Marie Kondo. If you haven’t seen Marie Kondo sparking some good ol’ joy in Tidying Up on Netflix, well then you need to watch an episode. Becoming Minimalist is also a great resource for learning how to simplify your home and declutter.
Conclusion
The Art of Slow Living enables individuals to experience a world of serenity by embracing mindfulness and intentionality. Slow Living is not about doing everything slowly. It’s about finding a balance between the fast-paced world we live in and taking the time to appreciate the present moment.
You have a lot going on in your life, so if you want to see Slow Living in action, just try one small change for one week and see how that changes your perspective. Ultimately, the journey towards Slow Living is a transformative and rewarding experience that allows us to lead fulfilled, purpose-driven lives. And who doesn’t want more of that goodness?