I stumbled upon slow living in a difficult point in my life. I had spent years feeling really anxious and overwhelmed with trying to juggle work and home responsibilities alongside seeing friends/family and making time for all the things I wanted to do and see. It felt like I never had enough time and I was just on a treadmill speeding through life. So much so that I wasn’t savouring any of the time I had when I was with friends and family or doing the things I loved. I was always thinking about what was the next thing to do, move onto, or see. I almost never lived in the moment and it made me feel really disconnected from my own life. 

 

Queue slow living. I can’t actually remember where I first heard about it or how it came into my life but I do remember reading a fantastic book called ’Seeking Slow’ by Melanie Barnes which I bought when I was desperate to know more about the topic. This book was the gateway to a lot of positive change in my life and is why I am so keen on sharing the ethos of slow, simple and seasonal living. 

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In our fast-paced world where busy-ness and productivity is glorified, it’s hard not to fall into the mindsets of “I just need to be more efficient with my time”, “the reason I feel this way is because I’m not resilient enough” or “if I rest, it means I’m lazy”. Despite many people experiencing overwhelm and burnout daily, taking the time to slow down and create space to address these feelings can feel a bit alien. 

 

I spent years feeling as though my anxiety and overwhelm was just because I wasn’t resilient enough to life stressors when in reality it was because I was doing too much, with little to no time to clear my head and practise self-care. I lived a life of ‘should’ rather than what I ‘wanted’ or ‘needed’.

 

When I thought about my values, what I wanted from life and what makes me feel content, I realised it isn’t new objects or just destination living. It’s actually day to day joy, adventure and pockets of calm. It’s sitting around a fire singing with friends or baking for no reason. It’s going for long walks or trying new things. It’s crafting, gardening and being by the sea. It’s watching Harry Potter wrapped up in a blanket in front of the fire. It’s the first coffee in the morning. It was all the simple things in life. 

 

Through slow living I’ve been able to connect with myself and the simple things in life. I’ve been able to simplify my lifestyle and be present in the everyday. 

 

By being more intentional with my time and inviting stillness, I’ve developed a gratitude for the world around me, the people I have relationships with and the things I have. 

 

By creating routines and rituals, I’ve been able to connect to the seasons and incorporate sprinkles of joy into my everyday life.

 

By learning to set boundaries, I’ve not only reduced my stress levels but have also shown myself and others a deeper level of respect. 

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As a wellness and resilience coach, I want to share the knowledge and skills I have developed through slow living with you. Together we can explore how you can slow down, find joy in life’s simple pleasures and cultivate a deeper connection with yourself and the world around you so that you can lead a fulfilling life that suits you best.