In recent years, particularly following the pandemic, there has been a noticeable shift in the UK towards slower, more meaningful ways of living. People are increasingly drawn to calm hobbies like gardening, baking, and crafting, seeking escape from fast-paced, digitally oriented routines. This trend (often framed as “slow living”) isn’t about doing less, though. It’s more about choosing to do things with intention and being more present, seeing the things that really matter.
The nostalgia-driven “grandmillennial” aesthetic also accounts for a growing trend with younger people’s mindsets as they gravitate less towards nightlife and more towards simplicity, comfort, and home-based activities in a world that, let’s be honest, has never felt more chaotic.
The Joy of Slow Living
Reconnecting with Your Daily Routines
Slow living begins in the everyday. It is taking things you likely already do or have an interest in, like the simple task of making a cup of tea, cooking a nice dinner, or going for a walk, approaching these things less as a chore or something to “get done” and seeing them as an escape; being mindful can transform them into quiet practices of feeling present. Try avoiding your devices during this time, setting aside your phone or laptop for a short period to focus purely on the simple joys.
These can be as small as smelling the steam rising from your pot of tea or appreciating the soft sound of footsteps on grass. These small, conscious choices connect you with the present and help you move away from any stresses, inviting a little extra calm into your day. It’s the essence of meditation without any of the effort.
Gardening as a Mindful Practice
Gardening is an advantageous way to adopt a slow living approach. Tending to your own plants encourages patience and attentiveness; it isn’t a hobby in which stages can be rushed or skipped, whether planting seeds, touching soil, pruning foliage, or observing growth over time. Using cloches in your garden can help protect seedlings and extend the growing season, allowing you to spend more time with this hobby. They offer a gentle way to work at your own pace without worrying about whether it’s “the right time”. This slower gardening style is not just about the result; it’s about taking time out of your day and savouring the process, feeding your connection with nature and, in turn, yourself.
Creating Spaces for Rest and Reflection
While not easy for everyone, if you get the chance, designating areas at home or in your garden as quiet zones can provide a peaceful space to retreat to, free from distractions, and allow you to reconnect with yourself. This could be a cosy reading corner with natural light, a comfy chair among potted plants, or a small bench tucked under a tree. Having these spaces set out for yourself like this invites you to take a step back from your day and pause, breathe, and recharge, helping you balance your busy routines with calm, purposeful rest.
Bringing Slow Living into Family Life
Slow living can also be incorporated into family life, so it doesn’t need to be something you tackle alone. Enjoying meals with no devices or programmes on the TV, planting (or eating) herbs together, or taking nature walks can become rituals that deepen connection. These simple shared experiences help your relationships flourish while reinforcing a more reflective pace of life, all without needing significant change.
Choosing What Matters Most
Embracing slow living isn’t about perfection or getting rid of any ‘fast-paced’ busy areas of your life. It’s about giving yourself time for meaningful, intentional moments in your day: being present over constantly being busy, nurturing life over chasing speed, and valuing connection over convenience. The simple hobbies above can remind you of what truly matters and ground your well-being from the inside out.
Conclusion
In a world that often moves too fast, embracing slow living allows us to pause, reconnect, and choose what truly matters. Whether it’s through simple routines, time in nature, or creating calm spaces at home, slowing down helps us find balance and joy in our everyday lives.
What small step could you take today to bring a little more slow living into your life?
*Disclosure: Collaborative Post
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Franca 💋
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