was walking with my son today as he cycled slowly on the busy road appreciating our slow life. It made me pause and think about why don't we appreciate the beauty of a slower life more often.

The modern world is full of instant gratification and fast-paced lifestyles that make it difficult to take time for ourselves and truly enjoy the present. We're always chasing after something, whether a promotion at work or the latest purchase.

Morning Hustles

The morning hustles are the worst when you are in a hurry to pack, eat and rush out through the door.

Moms are the busiest in the mornings, cooking and packing, making kids ready for school, and maybe even having a quick breakfast before running off to their respective jobs.

The kids are forced out of their beds, made to take quick bites of breakfast, and then shoved out the door to make it to school on time. We’re so busy with our lives that we often forget that life doesn't have to be lived this way.

When you are unable to eat consciously, sleep enough, meet friends, spend time with yourself, and have a fulfilling life, it can lead to burnout and exhaustion.

Many of us do not like our jobs, kids find their school boring and they drag themselves to learn. We are so conditioned to the idea of “busyness” and “progress” that even our free time is structured around various activities, tasks, and chores.

Unintentional consumption

We fill our extra time by consuming endless amounts of information, technology, and entertainment that can be overwhelming.

No wonder we dream of vacations, a chance to relax, and just be. We like to see people who are taking alternate pathways and slowing down their lives.

There are various Youtube Channels these days for people who have decided to travel, camp, or people who are adopting the village life and giving up the city life.

So people find a way to feed their dopamine by watching others living the life they want to live. Social media and other forms of entertainment can provide a quick and easy source of dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. Watching others live the life we want to live can activate the reward centers in our brains, leading to a feeling of satisfaction.

It is important to choose a lifestyle that aligns with our values and priorities, rather than trying to live up to someone else's standards.

Taking breaks from social media and other sources of external validation can help us reconnect with our desires and goals.

The desire to do everything

We often have the desire to do everything, which eventually leads to burnout and exhaustion. It's normal to be in the trap of accomplishing more in life. We tend to find various classes for kids, dance classes, singing, and various other extra classes to fill our time. This can confuse kids and make them overwhelmed.

Are we asking ourselves if we need this?

It can be beneficial to take a step back and evaluate if we need these activities or not. We can also look at what our kids enjoy doing and create opportunities for them to pursue their interests without feeling overwhelmed by the pressure of being “productive” all the time.

We should remember that our kids need to play often and let their imaginations run wild. Kids can learn a lot of things through self-directed play. They need time to think and explore the world around them without any pressure or expectations.

There are several reasons why people may find it difficult to leave the "hustle culture" behind, despite its potential drawbacks:

1. Fear of failure: People who have invested a lot of time and effort into their careers may feel that they need to keep working hard to avoid failure or to maintain their current level of success.
2. Social pressure: The hustle culture is often celebrated in popular media and among certain social groups, which can create a sense of pressure to conform to this way of life.
3. Financial need: For some people, working long hours and prioritizing their careers may be necessary to make ends meet or to achieve financial stability.
4. Personal identity: For some individuals, their career may be a core part of their identity, and the idea of stepping back from work may be difficult to reconcile with their self-image.
5. Lack of alternative models: Finally, for many people, the hustle culture may be the only model they have ever known or been exposed to, making it difficult to envision a different way of living or working.

Why Slow Life?

Living a slow life means taking the time to appreciate the small moments and living mindfully – something that can be hard to do when we're constantly bombarded with notifications and reminders of what needs to get done.

It's about making time for meaningful connections, relationships, and activities that bring joy.

It’s about living more simply, taking greater care of our health, finding the balance between work and leisure, and spending time in nature.

When we slow down our lives, we become more mindful of how we spend our time and energy. We can focus on things that are important to us, instead of being caught up in pointless tasks or conversations. We can find our enjoyment in the simple things instead of trying to make life more complicated.

A slower life will give you more time to appreciate nature, reflect on your day, exercise, or simply do nothing. It's a great way to balance stress and anxiety, allowing you to live in the moment and have more meaningful experiences.

How to practice slow living  

Creating a slow life involves intentionally slowing down the pace of your life and prioritizing activities that promote relaxation, self-care, and mindfulness. Here are some steps you can take to create a slow life:

Identify your priorities:

Take some time to reflect on what is most important to you. This can include relationships, hobbies, personal growth, work, and other areas of your life.

Focusing on relationships:

People are prioritizing meaningful connections with others by spending time with loved ones, cultivating deeper friendships, and participating in community activities.

• Spending quality time with loved ones, such as having a family game night or a dinner party with friends
• Cultivating deeper friendships by making time for regular catch-ups and activities
• Participating in community activities, such as volunteering or attending local events

Practice self-care:

Make time for activities that help you relax and recharge. This could include taking a bath, practicing yoga, or reading a book.

• Taking a long bath with essential oils and candles
• Practicing yoga or stretching
• Indulging in a favorite hobby, such as reading or painting
• Going for a walk in nature
• Listening to calming music or a guided meditation

Disconnect: Set boundaries around technology and social media to avoid constant stimulation and distractions. Try to disconnect for a set period each day or week.

• Taking a break from social media or limiting the amount of time spent on it
• Turning off notifications on their phone or setting specific times to check emails and messages
• Taking a technology-free day or weekend to disconnect and recharge

Embrace mindfulness:

Incorporate mindfulness practices into your daily routine, such as meditation or deep breathing exercises. This can help you stay present and focused on the moment. Focusing on relationships: People are prioritizing meaningful connections with others, for example:

People are incorporating mindfulness practices into their daily routines, such as:

• Meditating for a few minutes each day
• Taking deep breaths throughout the day to stay present and focused
• Practicing mindful eating by savoring each bite and paying attention to hunger and fullness signals
• Doing a body scan to release tension and stress in the body

Simplify:

Look for ways to simplify your life, such as decluttering your home or creating a more minimalist wardrobe. This can help reduce stress and create a sense of calm.

• Donating or getting rid of clothes they no longer wear
• Organizing their belongings in a simple and functional way
• Minimizing the number of items they own, such as books or kitchenware
• Creating a minimalist living space with fewer decorations and furniture

Sometimes choosing a slow life might include taking big decisions, such as changing jobs or moving to a different place.

Ways to adopt the slow living lifestyle

1. Nomadic or full-time travelers: Some people choose to embrace a slower lifestyle by traveling full-time or living as digital nomads. This lifestyle can allow you to experience different cultures, meet new people, and live a more flexible and free lifestyle.
2. Worldschooling: Worldschooling is a type of homeschooling where families travel and explore the world together, incorporating different cultures and experiences into their education. This can provide a unique and enriching education for children while allowing families to live a slower, more intentional lifestyle.
3. Remote workers: Remote work has become increasingly popular in recent years, allowing people to work from anywhere in the world. This can provide more flexibility and freedom in how and where you work, allowing you to create a lifestyle that suits your needs and priorities.
4. Minimalism: Minimalism is a lifestyle choice that focuses on living with less and simplifying your possessions and commitments. This can free up time, reduce stress, and allow you to focus on what's truly important in your life.
5. Moving to native towns or offbeat locations: Some people choose to slow down by moving to small towns or offbeat locations, where life moves at a slower pace and there is more opportunity to connect with nature and the local community.
6. Starting a business: Starting a business can provide a sense of purpose and allow you to create a lifestyle that aligns with your values and passions. It can also provide more freedom and flexibility in how and where you work.
7. Homeschooling or starting a homestead-style lifestyle: Homeschooling or creating a homestead-style lifestyle can provide more opportunities to spend time with family, learn new skills, and create a slower pace of life. No matter how you choose to slow down your life, it's important to remember that the goal is to find balance. Creating a slower lifestyle doesn't mean
8. Road schooling or Caravanning: Road schooling or caravanning can provide an opportunity to travel and explore while taking time out of the usual daily routine. It’s a great way to gain new experiences, meet interesting people, and enjoy nature without compromising on educational opportunities for kids.
9. Content creating or freelancing: Content creating and freelancing can provide an opportunity to work from anywhere in the world, offering more flexibility and freedom in how you work. This can be a great way to create a slower lifestyle as well as generate income. The freedom from brick-and-mortar office jobs allows more time to enjoy hobbies, travel and explore your creativity.

Slow life leads to Living an intentional life

While growing u, most of us embraced things one after the other. We rarely stopped to think if this is what we need or want. We followed the trend of our parents and peers, instead of designing a life that aligns with our core values.

We never questioned why we were doing certain things and ended up living a life that was not true to who we are, this is also because we were not allowed to say no.

Living an intentional life can give us more satisfaction and joy in our lives. By consciously deciding how we want to spend our time, we can take back control of our lives and find fulfillment. This doesn’t mean that life will be perfect or easy – it just means that we are creating a life that is true to who we are, instead of being on autopilot and living a life that isn’t aligned with our values.

Slow life leads to Living a purposeful life

Choosing to live a slow life can help us to create a more meaningful and purposeful life. By taking the time to reflect on our values and priorities, we can make decisions that are in line with what matters most to us. We can decide how we want to spend our time, who we want to surround ourselves with, and what actions we will take to bring our values to life. Living a purposeful life can give us more clarity and direction, as well as greater satisfaction in the long term.

Slow Life and Ikigai

"Slow life" and "ikigai" are two concepts that are often associated with each other, as they both prioritize finding meaning and purpose in life, and taking a mindful approach to one's daily activities.

"Slow life" refers to a lifestyle that emphasizes taking the time to appreciate the simple things in life, and prioritizing quality over quantity. This can involve slowing down one's pace of life, simplifying one's routines, and making time for activities that bring joy and fulfillment.

"Ikigai," on the other hand, is a Japanese concept that translates to "a reason for being." It refers to the idea of finding one's purpose in life and living a fulfilling, meaningful existence. According to the concept of ikigai, a person's purpose in life is the intersection of four elements: what they love, what they are good at, what the world needs, and what they can be paid for.

Together, the concepts of slow life and ikigai suggest that finding purpose and meaning in life requires a deliberate and mindful approach. It involves taking the time to reflect on one's values, interests, and strengths, and making intentional choices about how to spend one's time and energy.

By taking small steps and making mindful decisions, anyone can create a slow life that works best for them. The key is to prioritize self-care, find balance, and stay connected to what matters most in life. 

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