Derived from “kinfolk”, which itself inherited a movement from the 80s called “slow”, the slow life has been on everyone’s lips for several years. So, is it a real saving trend or just a passing fad? We look at the phenomenon of the moment for you.
What is slow living?
“Slow living” is a cultural movement that advocates a more relaxed and less stressful approach to everyday life. It encourages individuals to slow down their pace of life, placing more importance on essential things such as human relationships, personal well-being and spiritual fulfillment. This movement began in the 1980s in Italy with the creation of the “Slow Food” movement, which aimed to promote healthy, local food that respected culinary traditions.
Today, this concept extends to all aspects of our existence, including work and our digital habits. The main idea is to learn to take full advantage of present moments without being overwhelmed by the constant demands that we face daily.
How to adopt slow life in your daily life?
To gradually integrate this philosophy into your personal life, here are some ideas:
- Favor quality over quantity: devote more time and energy to activities that truly bring you pleasure and well-being, rather than trying to do everything at once.
- Take the time to recharge your batteries: regularly give yourself time to relax and disconnect. This could be a walk in nature, a hot bath or a meditation session.
- Cultivate the art of patience: learn to accept unexpected events and delays without stress or frustration. Let yourself be carried away by the natural rhythm of things.
- Develop your creativity: take the time to explore your passions and artistic talents, whether it’s painting, music, writing or cooking.
The integration of slow life at work
Even if it may seem difficult in our society focused on performance and efficiency, it is possible to gradually introduce the principles of slow life into your professional environment:
- Prioritize your tasks: make a list of important actions to accomplish each day based on their urgency and impact. Focus on these first.
- Take regular breaks: take a few minutes every hour to stretch, walk, or simply breathe deeply to avoid mental overload.
- Working in offline mode: Turn off your notifications and social media during work hours to avoid unnecessary distractions.
- Delegate and learn to say no: do not hesitate to entrust certain tasks to your colleagues if you are overwhelmed, and know how to politely refuse additional missions when necessary.
Managing the guilt associated with the transition to slow living
When you begin to adopt a slower pace of life, it is common to feel a certain guilt towards others or yourself. However, it is important to understand that taking time for yourself is not synonymous with selfishness or laziness. Here are some tips for dealing with these feelings:
- Remember that your well-being is essential: Without rest and relaxation, you risk burnout and your overall efficiency will be affected.
- Communicate with those around you: clearly explain your choices and motivations to the people concerned so that they understand your approach.
- Demonstrate self-compassion: don’t be too hard on yourself when it comes to slowing down. Slow living is a process that requires time and regular adjustments.
Some slow life initiatives in France
France is not left out in promoting this counterculture. Several initiatives have emerged in recent years:
- The Cittaslows: this international network of cities committed to sustainable development and a more peaceful quality of life has several French members, such as Mirande or Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val.
- The Slowlydays: these days dedicated to the discovery and sharing of practices linked to slow life are organized each year in different French regions.
- The Hummingbirds movement: created by Pierre Rabhi, this collective aims to promote an ecological, supportive and responsible lifestyle to the general public.
To conclude, adopting slow life is above all a question of balance and harmony between the different spheres of our existence. By becoming aware of the benefits of a slower pace of life on our physical and mental health, it becomes possible to change our habits to live better, together.
