Slow living may seem unconventional and unadventurous in a world where we’re driven to swiftly conquer every facet of life and excel in every pursuit. Our lives are marked by multitasking, overthinking, and an unrelenting focus on productivity, with an aversion to missing even a single event from our tightly packed calendars.
Let’s take a moment to pause and contemplate. Our relentless desire for recognition and appreciation keeps us in a constant state of busyness, ensnared in the ‘rat race.’ But is this truly the life we’ve always aspired to lead? A life defined by constant rushing, running, and repetition—will it ultimately bring us the happiness and joy we seek?
Let’s step back, take a deep breath, and reconsider our path. Imagine a life where the pursuit of excess wealth becomes secondary, and we find delight in immersing ourselves in the natural beauty of a single place, free from the haste to visit multiple destinations. Envision the bliss of living each moment to the fullest, fostering a profound connection with our inner selves.
Slow living, in its simplicity, offers stability, tranquillity, and a deep sense of fulfilment. However, it’s an art not everyone comprehends.
WHY DO WE FAIL TO CHOOSE A SLOW LIVING LIFESTYLE?
Slow living is all about living meaningfully and valuing simplicity. But we often do not choose it because we see simplicity as an inferior way of living.
We stress more about things that make us look happy, and we chase after something or the other every moment.
It is the pressure of the fast-moving competitive world that keeps a hold on us. We think of modern life as a race to be the best and achieve the most.
I am not writing about slow living because I practice it. I am writing about it because, like many of you, I need sustainability and the meaningfulness of slow living in my life.
Slow living is a state of mind that finds harmony with the world around us. It’s an awakening, an enlightenment that anchors us to a way of life filled with meaning and purpose. It fosters a deep connection with our inner selves, facilitating a life that’s both balanced and serene.
We can opt for a more balanced and fulfilling life by making small adjustments to seemingly trivial aspects.
FOLLOW A SLOW MORNING ROUTINE
Sunday mornings hold a special place in our hearts because they allow us to slow down. On Sundays, we’re not compelled to rush through our morning routines, hurriedly brushing and bathing, hastily dressing, and eating on the go, with our eyes glued to the clock. Unlike the frantic pace of weekday mornings, Sundays are a respite, bringing a sense of relaxation and tranquillity.
The daily turmoil our hearts and minds endure can take a toll on our well-being. We dash to get ready for work, navigate congested roadways amid the cacophony of honking vehicles, and race through each checkpoint until we arrive at our workplaces. Finally, we immerse ourselves in the demands of work targets.
The daily anxiety and anguish we experience can have long-term repercussions on our health. Completely avoiding these stressors is often impractical.
A more feasible solution might be to infuse a touch of Sunday’s calm into our weekday mornings.
I understand that implementing these changes is easier said than done. Every weekday morning, our minds are preoccupied with the looming work awaiting us at the office. However, if we can carve out just a little extra time for ourselves each morning, it can pave the way for a long-term, positive lifestyle transformation.
What are the little things that can enhance our mornings?
- Take slow sips of the morning tea
If you’re someone who relies on that morning cup of tea or coffee, don’t rush through the ritual. Find a tranquil spot, like a balcony or beside a window with an invigorating outdoor view. Take the time to savour your morning beverage, allowing yourself to indulge in each sip, taking slow breaths between each delightful slurp.
- Minimise Kitchen responsibilities
If you’re responsible for dishes or cooking in the morning, consider doing most of the preparations for your kitchen routine the previous night. Alternatively, if that doesn’t align with your schedule, wake up a bit earlier to tackle these tasks at a more leisurely pace. The goal is to avoid exhausting yourself with kitchen chores right at the start of the day.
Personally, I prefer to cut and store all the vegetables I need in the evening, keeping them in the refrigerator and having my utensils clean and ready beside the kitchen hob. This approach allows me to prepare breakfast without haste, leaving the kitchen free of clutter. There’s something therapeutic about a clutter-free kitchen in the morning.
On days when I fail to do this, chaos ensues in the kitchen: spills, dropped ladles, rushed cooking, and occasionally burnt food, which leaves me feeling cranky throughout the day.
- Calm yourself with good music
If the weather outside doesn’t quite match your preferences, consider turning to music to set the tone for your day.
For me, instrumental music holds a special place, bringing relaxation and peace. You can kickstart your day with songs, ghazals, bhajans, spiritual tunes, or whatever resonates with you. The key is to select music that soothes your soul and fills you with anticipation for the day ahead.
- Be punctual and save more time
I’ve had my fair share of struggles with punctuality. I vividly recall the daily ordeal of commuting for two hours on a public bus to reach my workplace. Arriving late, fatigued by the journey, I’d see my colleagues already engrossed in their work. The routine was a constant source of frustration, with the public transport system often horrifying me. Even when I switched to private cars, traffic jams would steal precious time, causing tardiness. These late arrivals set a negative tone for my day, leaving me feeling unhappy inside and unable to project a cheerful demeanour.
Conversely, when I managed to be punctual and arrive at work stress-free, I felt more energized and content. It allowed me to think clearly and plan my day effectively. By navigating the seemingly trivial aspects of my morning routine calmly, I could mitigate anxiety and irritability.
The key was allocating sufficient time for these activities to ensure our days commenced successfully.
MAKE A PRIORITY LIST
Begin by compiling a comprehensive list of your daily tasks. Then, sift through them, identifying and eliminating those that are not absolutely essential. The fewer tasks you attempt to tackle within a specific time frame, the higher the quality of the outcomes you can achieve.
Multitasking can be a helpful tool for increasing productivity and saving time. However, in the long run, it may diminish your focus and attention span. We often obsess over the swift passage of time, inadvertently letting important aspects of life slip from our grasp, including our dreams, our connections with friends and family, and even our inner peace and faith.
While a fast-paced life can certainly bring worldly benefits and elevate our standard of living, it must be approached cautiously. It should enrich our lives, provide education, and heighten our awareness of the world. However, it should not change us in ways that distance us from people and things that imbue our lives with meaning.
I personally experienced many unsuccessful days due to a failure to grasp the significance of prioritization. I used to craft a daily to-do list filled with tasks that spanned more than two days to complete, paying little attention to time management strategies. Then, I realized the crucial importance of creating a priority list.
We must discern between tasks that are urgent and those that are not. It’s essential to understand what demands more effort and time and to recognize what holds the greatest significance. A priority list serves not only to guide us toward achieving long-term objectives but also to allocate time for the daily practice of slow living.
Moreover, by addressing the most urgent and demanding tasks at the outset, we set the stage for a tranquil and stress-free remainder of the day.
GET OUT OF THE RAT RACE
Wikipedia defines a rat race as an endless, self-defeating, or pointless pursuit. And that is exactly why we need to get out of it.
We often hold the belief that unless we actively participate in the relentless ‘rat race,’ we risk being left behind in life. Regrettably, we rarely take the time to reflect on the many precious elements we inadvertently forsake while entangled in this pursuit.
To liberate ourselves from the relentless ‘rat race,’ we must cultivate a mindset that steers us away from the chase after materialistic acquisitions and directs us toward a more serene way of existence. Yet, not everyone finds it feasible to embrace this mindset, given the common misconception that modern living and a harmonious connection with nature are incompatible.
However, this is a fallacy. Embracing slow living does not necessitate an exodus from mainstream lifestyles to seclude ourselves in the wilderness, emulating the lives of monks and saints. Rather, it’s an invitation to explore a distinct perspective that empowers us to extract the utmost fulfilment from life.
“I’m going to enjoy every second, and I’m going to know I’m enjoying it while I’m enjoying it. Most people don’t live; they just race. They are trying to reach some goal far away on the horizon, and in the heat of the going they get so breathless and panting that they lose sight of the beautiful, tranquil country they are passing through; and then the first thing they know, they are old and worn out, and it doesn’t make any difference whether they’ve reached the goal or not.”
― Jean Webster
TAKE CARE OF YOUR MENTAL HEALTH
Slow living prioritizes mental well-being, as adherents focus on endeavours that nurture their inner peace and happiness. In the fast-paced modern world, the relentless demands can strip away the essence of life, leaving our minds burdened with negativity. We often attempt to juggle numerous responsibilities, including those we may not be adequately prepared for.
The weight of work-related stress and heightened competition leaves us with little time for self-care, while contemporary relationships can become arduous. Excessive social media use and prolonged screen time can be detrimental, ultimately eroding our well-being.
Mental health has become an ongoing concern worldwide. Depression, akin to food, has become a constant presence in our lives, threatening our survival skills. It’s only when we push ourselves too far, leading to breakdowns, that we recognize the paramount importance of self-care and inner contentment.
Slow living fosters this awareness, urging us to embrace minimalism and consider downshifting. Those who adopt the slow living philosophy may find themselves better equipped to emerge from a negative state of mind.
“Be gentle with yourself, learn to love yourself, to forgive yourself, for only as we have the right attitude toward ourselves can we have the right attitude toward others.” -Wilfred Peterson
FALL IN LOVE WITH THE SIMPLICITY OF SLOW LIVING
We often opt for what shines brightest, well aware that it’s not genuine gold. We pursue careers promising fame and wealth, even when we lack true passion for them. Our lives are steeped in compromises as we continually chase trends, popularity, and the desire to be showcased on social media. The fear of being labelled ‘boring’ compels us to distance ourselves from simplicity, equating it with dullness and fragility.
Yet, deep down, we yearn for meaning, purpose, love, balance, and a sense of belonging. We wear T-shirts bearing slogans like ‘Less is More,’ but still, we struggle to simplify our lives. The solution, however, is not an enigma; it’s simply a matter of choice—a journey to discover our Ikigai, our reason for being.
Advocates of slow living are champions of this transformation. They’ve experienced firsthand how it reshapes who we are at our core and how we perceive the world. It may not make us wealthy or powerful, but it does enrich our lives.
Embracing slow living doesn’t necessitate complete abandonment of our responsibilities or social routines, nor does it require us to change who we are at our core. Instead, it offers a path to reap its benefits while staying true to ourselves.”
All you need to start with are four simple things:
- SLOW DOWN
- RELAX
- BREATHE
- BE GRATEFUL
“Walk slowly and you’ll go far.”
― Hector Garcia Puigcerver, Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life
Also read: https://neoprotagonist.com/10-things-that-make-you-a-neo-protagonist/
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