When I tell people about the Slow Living inspirational talk I do, the first question I usually get asked is: “What is slow living?” So, I thought I’d pen the meaning and some benefits of slow living down, as it is through these two small words that I believe we can connect not only with ourselves, but also those around us. At the same time, it also allows us to give our children a head start in life.
There are numerous explanations for the term, Slow Living, but I think the following sums it up quite well:
“Embracing simplicity, being in the present moment and finding inner peace amidst the chaos. It’s a conscious journey of soulful connection, gratitude and harmony with nature’s rhythms, leading to a more meaningful existence.”
We get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life so easily as we inevitably live in a fast-paced world. Hence, we need to find ways to notice the smaller, more meaningful moments in life. The only way to do that, is by embracing slow living. According to an Instagram post by Elä Life, “slow living is all about savouring the present, prioritising quality over quantity and finding joy in the small, simple things.” Ultimately, whether it is through noticing raindrops on a leaf, building LEGO with your 5-year-old, mixing batter and baking pancakes with your 7-year-old, or indulging in a properly made cup of coffee… taking life at a slower pace allows us to reconnect with ourselves and the world (and people) around us.
Ultimately, Slow Living is a journey; a way of life. A slow living lifestyle promotes a more thoughtful and fulfilling way of living, with mindfulness, intentionality and balance at its core.
“A slower pace allows the heart to catch up with the soul.”
As a parent of two children, I’ve also been doing some research on why it is important for us to teach our children to live life at a slower pace, even while life is so busy and rushed. I constantly remember the slower days of my youth and as I grow older, those slower days’ impact seem to become more and more profound. This made me realise the importance of slow living for families. In fact, it placed an urgency in my heart to speak out about why children need to learn the skill of slow living from a young age. Not only will it help families to connect, but it will also help them develop life skills that they will need in the workplace one day.
In fact, according to Charlize Moolman, Director of Light Ability Consulting, employers are saying that young people lack certain social and emotional skills these days, which has an effect on companies’ service offering. I believe through sustainable slow living practices we can teach our children those skills and evidently place them in a spot where they have a head start in life. In my Slow Living inspirational talk, I unpack the various skills that slow living can teach us and our kids.
Ultimately, this way of life should inspire us to see why boredom trumps busyness. Why presence trumps presents. And, why it’s important to intentionally slow down.
To book a talk on Slow Living, follow this link or contact me directly on hello@suitcaseandchardonnay.co.za. In it, I share some mindful living tips, we talk work-life balance strategies and I explain why I think it’s vital to incorporate intentional living practices into your life.
To slow living in 2025!
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