Whether you’re choosing a slower path based on natural instincts or purposeful intention; here are 2 ways to simplify your approach to make it a lasting slow living life.
Welcome to the journey of slowing down, let’s dive in.
These are not the only 2 approaches but they are a great foundation. Depending on where you are in your life and just how hardwired you are into the hustle an bustle this may start as more actionable steps for you than someone more sensitive to the busyness of the world – queue introverts.
Before we jump in let’s be clear, YOU CANNOT DO IT WRONG but it can make it more sustainable.
Setting the External Stage
The first approach to slow living is setting the outer stage. This would be purging your home of clutter, buying more intentional products, indulging in hobbies, etc. The external approach can be the most appealing and trendy part of this slow living life.
Natural products, nude and earthy-toned living spaces, outdoor hiking, and river dancing. Canvas-drawn moments where it’s just you wrapped in life’s warm embrace.
your home is a living space.
Actionable steps:
- Clean and declutter your home, car, and workspace.
Make this an environment that feels good to be in. I believe in sageing; so once you have decluttered and feel good with work, give your space a little energy cleanse. If not for the energy, then for the smell.
- Pick a hobby
There are plenty out there. You can pick more than one but let’s start simple. Here are a few of the slow life hobbies I’ve found that are easy to keep up with.
- Organize your schedule
This is a hit or miss with some. On one hand, if you need support decluttering your brain, a simple calendar may support this. Here’s the book I use for this simple mental cleansing.
Now, on the other hand, if you find a schedule to be daunting, overwhelming and a chore then start to refine your daily flow. Find a flow in your day / week that aligns with you.
- Aside from a hobby. Find one part of your day that is yours.
Queue a morning routine or evening (mid-day?) Find any window of time that is yours. Five minutes to an hour. It does not matter the length of time just that it’s yours. Mine is my morning shower and morning routine. This can change day by day or weekly.
This is your journey and your path to building a slow life.
If your life simply does not allow any downtime whatsoever, then you may need to make this more of a priority. We believe in you!
Start small and eventually, once you and life realize that this is a non-negotiable this ‘you‘ time will become a ritual among the chaos of life; so will the hobbies, the intention of keeping a tidy home, and a flow or schedule to get through your week.
This setting the stage allows you to stay functional in the world. You will begin to realize that a slow life can start with mer minutes of the day and eventually before you’ve realized this slow living mindset and moments you’ve claimed will become a lifestyle.
Setting the Internal Stage
The second approach to building a slow living life is to set the inner stage. This approach builds self-awareness, peace, and alignment that allow the benefits of slow living to manifest no matter where you are, or what your home may look like.
Just like the first approach, this is a journey where the small steps are steps nonetheless.
The fruits of these actionable steps may be instant or ebb and flow but the long haul is to help the mind and body be best equipped for life’s uncontrollable moments. This stage setting encourages your inner world to begin creating a life of slow living from within.
The body speaks to you; Try to hear it at the whisper level.
Actionable Steps
- Meditation
There are many many styles of mediation. Sample them and see which one suits your life. One of the purposes of mediation is to help the inner mind and body dialogue a moment to be heard, heeded, and reflected upon. To build a life in alignment with one of slow living you must know the whispers of your thoughts and actions.
- Journaling
Give voice to your mind and emotions. Release any judgment and allow your thoughts to find paper. It opens space within and gives movement to stuck or frequently nagging thoughts.
With time you will begin to have an idea of the more common inner dialogues, and you will have a better sense of what is no longer serving you or what you may need to give attention to. This will aid you in prioritizing and gaining clarity on what flow you may need to embody that day.
- Swapping coffee for match or tea
Coffee is a trending vibe and is an oh-so-tasty treat. I am not saying you need to give it up! That would be cruel. BUT once in a while try to opt in for a green tea or matcha. The purpose is to support the nervous system in its ability to relax and unwind (and is a vital part of a slow living life).
- Breathwork
This does not need to be fancy or something intense. All this step asks is that you notice your breath and when you do take a few complete breaths. Our breath runs automatically and subconsciously meaning we don’t need to think about it, it does it on its own.
Intentional breathing will aid in the fussiness of the mind and the calming of the nervous system.
Remember, the long haul is to align the mind and body to a slow living life where we can disconnect from the busyness of life.
This post was all about the 2 approaches to building a slow living life.
