Love to invite the slow mosh pit you to my ‘slow’ writings. Could be a perfect match...my novel coming out explores the theme through the festival phenomenon...which is at core a ritual slowing down, a halting of the work, a stop to the too serious fake to make space for the serious make believes that open us up to the real real....
Thanks to all of the picturesque rural slow living people here on Substack. Your visuals and thoughtful prose do prompt me to take a look at my daily life. My slow life is grungy clothes, no makeup, a garden going back to the wild, and much less driving about on a weekly basis than most suburbanites could manage. It's a slow retirement: not much travel, just the two of us and the old cat. Happy. Cozy. Simple meals. Old worn decor.
That sounds like absolute bliss. And yes, I love all the beautiful rural slow lives and appreciate so much the folks who are able to not only live them, but find a way to document them so beautifully. My slow life is rural but rarely feels picturesque! Hehe.
I keep thinking about this Stacey! I would love to live somewhere more rural, but commitments to my husbands family keeps us where we are for the time being. I seem to have been on a journey of how much effort is needed to achieve the things I want as well as how much material things matter (or not) and making things as simple as possible. This is what's slowed me down until I can change the view from my window! 🙏
We did that shift from urban Vancouver, Canada to a small 5 acre farm about an hour outside of the city 11 years ago. Having lived slow in both contexts, it's been really illuminating to understand viscerally that a 'simple life' on a farm is not necessarily an inherently slow existence. (She says as she sits down after chasing sheep at 6 am. Hehe.) But as you say - making that move, which involved my leaving my gov't career in human rights in the city - required I ask all those questions you are also working through. In order to be a full-time Mama and farm in a part of the world where our tiny parcel would sell for close to $3 million CAD has meant we've had to answer a lot of tough questions. Slowness has informed how I answer them - in everything from how I've raised my children to how I've grown my business.
Oh this is so important! Especially since many people might not want to get into the slow living lifestyle since they’re afraid they have to change their likes and dislikes. But it’s a mind shift above anything else 💚
You're so right about that. If folks feel like they have to change their core identity, slowness won't feel like an option. It's so important to approach it as a set of tools / ways of being instead of a set destination. Like you say - shifting mindset, aligning our daily life with our values and simply being present in our lives - no matter what they look like.
"And when you find yours, wrap it up in both arms. Hold it close. And for Pete’s sake - don’t you dare apologize for it." 💖💖💖 Thank you for this, Stacey! Exactly what I needed today.
So glad to hear, Jenna. I think especially for us women, there can be shame wrapped up in our pursuit of joy. Either we're being selfish or taking up too much space or making too much noise . . . But I think we're all better off when we claim our joy without apology. It's a deliciously rebellious and empowering thing to do.
Slow Writing sounds right up my alley!! I love to see all the deliciously diverse manifestations of Slowness. That - for me - is what's so beautiful about the Slow Movement. There is room for everyone and every way.
For me slow living is really also about the intentions, essentials and priorities. It’s not about less of everything or super minimal anything like I see often in YouTube videos.
For me it’s about the fullness of everything I chose to do. Being more. And that is in my city day to day little moments where I consciously slow down instead of rushing to what’s next.
Small pockets in my second home in nature to be more in tune with the seasons to guide my rhythms and projects. Aka resting more over the winter etc
Thanks, Laura. I really hope we can make Slow Living more accessible so that more folks can feel comfortable taking what speaks to them and leave the rest to the rest.
Love to invite the slow mosh pit you to my ‘slow’ writings. Could be a perfect match...my novel coming out explores the theme through the festival phenomenon...which is at core a ritual slowing down, a halting of the work, a stop to the too serious fake to make space for the serious make believes that open us up to the real real....
I enjoyed your take on slow living and how it can look different for each person 🤗✨
Absolutely beautiful, Stacey. And so spot on! Slow living is aligned living, however that looks for you. ✨
That's a beautiful way to describe it!
Thanks to all of the picturesque rural slow living people here on Substack. Your visuals and thoughtful prose do prompt me to take a look at my daily life. My slow life is grungy clothes, no makeup, a garden going back to the wild, and much less driving about on a weekly basis than most suburbanites could manage. It's a slow retirement: not much travel, just the two of us and the old cat. Happy. Cozy. Simple meals. Old worn decor.
That sounds like absolute bliss. And yes, I love all the beautiful rural slow lives and appreciate so much the folks who are able to not only live them, but find a way to document them so beautifully. My slow life is rural but rarely feels picturesque! Hehe.
I keep thinking about this Stacey! I would love to live somewhere more rural, but commitments to my husbands family keeps us where we are for the time being. I seem to have been on a journey of how much effort is needed to achieve the things I want as well as how much material things matter (or not) and making things as simple as possible. This is what's slowed me down until I can change the view from my window! 🙏
We did that shift from urban Vancouver, Canada to a small 5 acre farm about an hour outside of the city 11 years ago. Having lived slow in both contexts, it's been really illuminating to understand viscerally that a 'simple life' on a farm is not necessarily an inherently slow existence. (She says as she sits down after chasing sheep at 6 am. Hehe.) But as you say - making that move, which involved my leaving my gov't career in human rights in the city - required I ask all those questions you are also working through. In order to be a full-time Mama and farm in a part of the world where our tiny parcel would sell for close to $3 million CAD has meant we've had to answer a lot of tough questions. Slowness has informed how I answer them - in everything from how I've raised my children to how I've grown my business.
Oh this is so important! Especially since many people might not want to get into the slow living lifestyle since they’re afraid they have to change their likes and dislikes. But it’s a mind shift above anything else 💚
You're so right about that. If folks feel like they have to change their core identity, slowness won't feel like an option. It's so important to approach it as a set of tools / ways of being instead of a set destination. Like you say - shifting mindset, aligning our daily life with our values and simply being present in our lives - no matter what they look like.
I couldn’t agree more!
"And when you find yours, wrap it up in both arms. Hold it close. And for Pete’s sake - don’t you dare apologize for it." 💖💖💖 Thank you for this, Stacey! Exactly what I needed today.
So glad to hear, Jenna. I think especially for us women, there can be shame wrapped up in our pursuit of joy. Either we're being selfish or taking up too much space or making too much noise . . . But I think we're all better off when we claim our joy without apology. It's a deliciously rebellious and empowering thing to do.
This is great! I’m developing a Slow Writing Movement to go with my slow life and creative venture. Lovely to discover another slow advocate 💙 https://open.substack.com/pub/themindfulwriter/p/the-slow-writing-movement?r=eag3f&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Slow Writing sounds right up my alley!! I love to see all the deliciously diverse manifestations of Slowness. That - for me - is what's so beautiful about the Slow Movement. There is room for everyone and every way.
Love this so glad I stumbled upon it!
For me slow living is really also about the intentions, essentials and priorities. It’s not about less of everything or super minimal anything like I see often in YouTube videos.
For me it’s about the fullness of everything I chose to do. Being more. And that is in my city day to day little moments where I consciously slow down instead of rushing to what’s next.
Small pockets in my second home in nature to be more in tune with the seasons to guide my rhythms and projects. Aka resting more over the winter etc
Such a great point! Not everyone’s life has to look exactly the same!
Stacey this is just what I believe and agree with: and love that opening image! Thank you x
Thanks, Laura. I really hope we can make Slow Living more accessible so that more folks can feel comfortable taking what speaks to them and leave the rest to the rest.