Before writing this, I had to figure out what slow living really meant. And it turns out that I had a disconcerted view of what it was. Or I may not exactly call it disconcerted but not enough knowledge of what it entailed.
For someone who is struggling and trying to get out of being a procrastinator, I kept feeling like, “Isn’t this just an excuse to be lazy?” or not putting in enough work as I should? Doesn’t it mean I can afford to take things for granted and believe that everything will fall into place so I can afford to relax?
I was enlightened to see that slow living has absolutely nothing to do with any of these. It was beautiful seeing the few ways I’ve applied slow-living into my life and how well it worked for me, even though I didn’t know that I was slow-living then.
The first thing I understood and even unconsciously applied when it comes to slow living is Being intentional and enjoying every moment. Slow living doesn’t mean being lazy. It means for those two hours you set aside for hair treatment or self-care, you revel in the moment. You bask in it and enjoy every second as you show love to yourself. It means that for that one hour you set out from your schedule to talk to family and loved ones, you remain in that moment. Not letting your mind wander but enjoying each minute spent because it’s what you’ve set out time to do.
Slow living means being Mindful. Of the sights, the sounds, the moments and the sensations around you. I’d been sitting by my dorm’s balcony sometime this evening when I took out my earpods and paid attention to the fact that there was a gale outside. And it came with a song. It’s something I’ve noticed several times. The sound of the wind. It’s like a song. Sometimes mournful. Sometimes sweet. But full of soul. I’ve talked about it once with my friends and they looked at me weirdly so I thought that maybe I imagined it.
But I’ve heard it more times to know that it’s real. The sweet song of the wind as it passes. I realized how the raging emotions in my heart calmed. Paying attention to the sounds and being attuned to the sensations around me. At that moment I wasn’t worried about my present or my future, which is something I find myself worrying a lot about these days. I was dwelling in the moment. And it was wonderful.
Slow living means a Physical and Mental Declutter. I did a little decluttering in my room about a week ago. My dorm room isn’t big but it’s astounding the way clutter could creep in, even in small spaces. I decluttered my physical space and by doing that, mentally decluttered as well. I’m by no means a neat freak but I love the satisfaction that comes with decluttering, rearranging and putting things in place. Because I get to liberate my mind and my world seems clearer. I’m able to focus and everything feels like it’s falling into place.
And finally, slow living means actually Slowing Down. In every sense of the word. I’d been having this feeling once that twenty hours isn’t enough for me and came to understand that it’s just because of poor time management. I felt like there was too much to do and this made me constantly hurry, worry and live life like the worst would happen if I didn’t move fast.
Slow living has taught me to take well-needed breaks. So pausing to read a book, take a leisurely walk, admire the sunset, and even talk to a loved one instead of rushing through tasks has proven more than resourceful. It has made me have a deep appreciation of nature. Pausing to build meaningful connections. Taking time out to appreciate the world around me.
As a youth, it feels like there’s a lot of pressure to achieve so many things all at once. We’re seeing our mates living the life on social media so when we try to pause, the thought comes that we’re being lazy and wasting our lives instead of using that time to keep working. I take slow-living as hibernating without actually doing so. A power nap, if you will. Recharging so that when you face the world again, you’re ready for it. Your focus is apt. And it all feels clear.
The beautiful thing about slow living is that it costs nothing except a willingness to just be. And it took me to a mental and physical collapse to know just what I was missing out on. Peaceful body. Peaceful mind. Peaceful life.
Images are mine
