What is slow living?

Besides being a phrase that is being thrown around social media, slow living is a way of life. It is more than a trend. It is a return to an intentional way of living connected to nature and her rhythms.

Picture this:

You wake up with the sun.

Unroll your yoga mat or set out your meditation cushion.

Boil some water and make your coffee or tea.

Set your favorite mug down so you can smell the aroma of your morning drink.

Move your body.

Float your arms overhead, stretching, smiling, awakening.

Fold, flow, feel.

Then sit.

Quiet your mind.

Pick up your pen and journal.

Nothing required of you.

Just a free write.

The kids wake up.

Read a book in bed before starting their day.

Breakfast is made.

Lunches packed.

Out the door for school.

You head to the co-working space so you are inspired and focus for your work day.

Take a break for lunch, a healthy nourish bowl you packed the night before.

You head out to the beach to sit in the sand and watch the ocean as you eat.

Back to work for a bit before picking up the kids from school.

They eat a healthy snack, then you head out for a walk as a family before dinner.

After diiner, a game of cards or a puzzle.

Bath time, story time, and bed time.

You make a cup of tea as you finish the day, tidying the house, and prepare for tomorrow, setting out clothes and packing your work bag.

Snuggle up with your favorite book and your partner.

Drift off into a deep and grateful sleep.

Repeat.

It is possible to live your best and most present life every day. Yes, there are times when other responsibilities come up, or a wrench is thrown into your best laid plans. Yet, on the whole, you have the power to choose how you live your daily life. What you prioritize is what you will always make time for. I choose to prioritize time with my family, being outside, eating nourishing foods, and cultivating a healthy work-life balance.

If you could paint a picture of your ideal simple, slow, daily life what would it look like? Take a moment to write it down. Then implement small steps to achieving that goal.

Some slow living tips and practices:

• Put your phone down. In the morning, don’t look at your phone, or other device, until after breakfast. If you can, wait until you get to work. After work, give yourself a few minutes to check social or call family and friends. Then, put it away. Plug it in to charge in a room that’s not your bedroom.

• Buy a battery powered, analog alarm clock. This way, the first thing you do in the morning isn’t looking at your phone.

• Clean out your closet. When you buy something new, resist buying fast-fashion. Find timeless pieces, ethically made, that will last.

• Drink more water. I find when I am busy or trying to do too much, I forget about the simple and important things like drinking plenty of water. A distracted day is generally a dehydrated day for me.

• Get outside. Make time every day, no matter the weather, to be outside. Go for a walk around the block after dinner. Take a hike with friends or family after work. Watch the sunset. Go for a swim. Go snowshoeing or skiing. However you choose to do it, get outside. Time in nature resets us to our natural rhythm, the unrushed rhythm of nature.

• Smile more. Not only do you breathe easier when you smile, but it feels good and makes others around you feel good too!

• Learn to say no. It’s okay to say no. You don’t have to go to every social engagement you are invited to you. You can politely decline. You can say no to screen time for your kids and take them outside to play instead.

• Be content with doing “nothing.” Sometimes, doing nothing is everything. Sit and watch the sunrise or sunset. Lay in the hammock and read your book. Take a nap. When we are content without distractions, we can be fully present.

Give yourself a much deserved break from the need to create results, to be productive, to be in a constant state of doing.

In a world that moves so quickly, the most luxurious thing you can do it sit still.

Prioritize self care.

Practice mindfulness.

And embrace the flow of nature.

Learn to live slowly.

Watch how beautifully life unfolds around you.