Slow living: Why slowing down is the new busy

 

What does slow living mean? 

Slow living is a life philosophy that is based on intentional and mindful living that encourages to put your well-being first. It’s rather the opposite of “hustle”culture where “busy” means important. Slow living means taking your time to reach the end goal and focusing on the process instead. It’s about deep connections, quality time with your loved ones and being aware of your surroundings. For me, It’s valuing simpler things. For instance, being in nature, setting healthy boundaries and taking care of my body. As well as reconnecting with myself and my inner “why”. It’s allowing myself to observe, feel and be without feeling guilty or being called lazy. 

How did slow living emerge? 

Officially, slow living concept emerged in Italy together with the slow food movement that stands for clean food for everyone. Due to the fast pace of life, it became especially trendy in recent years. Similarly, remote work and other emerging trends, such as “quite quitting” and “snail girl era” gained popularity too. More and more people talk about it, new articles are popping in and many more embracing slow lifestyle. It seems that the buzz word “busy” is being replaced by “slowing down”. 

Finding Your Own Path to Slow Living

If slow living philosophy seems vague, it’s likely because it can mean different things to different people. And that’s the beauty of it. More than anything, it’s listening to your body and soul and doing what makes you feel happy. You don’t have to quit your job, move to the countryside and start growing your vegetables. Perhaps for you it can mean that every evening you will go for a walk alone and start to journal. Or perhaps you will simply allow yourself to have a nap in the middle of the day?. Whatever it is – it has to align with your values and fill your own cup.

Now as you understand the definition of slow living, let’s explore how “busy” is being replaced by “slowing down”. 

​​Rethinking Success: A Story About Rest, Greed, and What Truly Matters

I won’t be surprised if you’ve heard this story before. But, I’ll share it anyway, as it’s crucial to understand how society shapes our perspectives before we can question them.

“A man sat under a palm tree resting. Another man came by and approached him.

• “Hey man, what are you doing here?” he asked.
• “Nothing,” the first man answered.
• “Hm…” the second man mumbled. “You see these coconuts?”
• “Yes,” the first man answered.
• “Well, you could take these coconuts and sell them in the market!”
• “And?” the first man wondered.
• “And then, from the profit, you could plant more coconut trees!”
• “And?” the first man asked again.
• “And from those trees, you could sell even more coconuts.”
• “And?” the first man asked again.
• “And, well, then you could build a coconut plantation, buy whatever you want, let others work, and rest under this coconut tree!”
• “But I’m already resting under this coconut tree…” the first man replied.

I heard this story from my dad for the first time when I was a teenager. Back then, and for the rest of my twenties, I thought to myself: Pfff, how lazy can you be? And what a poor mindset he had for not wanting to have more in life.

I came across this story again in my late twenties, only this time, I realized I no longer sympathized with the second man as much. In fact, I realized that the first man wasn’t necessarily as lazy as I once thought. Perhaps he just wasn’t as greedy as the second man. Perhaps it was enough for him to pick coconuts, share them with his family, and watch his children play while he rested under the coconut tree. Perhaps it was a healthier choice than working his ass off in a coconut plantation just so one day he could retire.

My perspective on the story changed because now I know how corporate giants work. I’ve dealt with consumerism and capitalism. I’ve seen how our society’s greed and constant drive for more has led to wars, health crises, and climate crisis. And the sad part is that the more is promoted everywhere you go. Therefore, you grow up believing that this is what you need to be happy. That you need that large house, expensive car, and that shiny watch on your wrist. All so others will approve of you.

Why Being Busy Used to Define Importance 

Another word our society loves is busy. If you’re a busy person, people think you’re important. No matter how productive you are or what your end results are. Busy is good. Busy is when you’re the “go-getter” climbing the corporate ladder. Busy is when you juggle multiple things at the same time, work till midnight, and read self-development books on weekends. But in reality, you’re just so tired of being busy that you feel numb to your core and can’t be bothered anymore. 

Let me tell you what busy is. “Busy” is fluff that feeds egos and lets those at the top stay in control while you grind. Exhausted and unaware.

The hustle culture is real and celebrated in our society so much that it’s seen as the only way to get ahead in life. If you work hard and dedicate yourself completely to your workplace, you’ll get promoted. Then, you’ll get a raise. That raise will get you the big house, the expensive car, and the shiny watch. And this approach worked for a while.

How Millennials and Gen Z Are Embracing Slow Living and Introducing New Trends.

But new generations like millennials and Gen Z don’t want to buy houses, cars, or expensive watches. Quite the opposite – they are selling everything they own and leaving to search for adventures. They build tiny houses. They live in mobile vans. And they certainly don’t brag about how much one owns anymore. So, it’s no wonder that flexibility, freedom, and better work-life balance are more important to these generations.

With new trends rising – such as remote work, digital nomadism, slow living, quiet quitting, and the snail girl era – one thing is clear: people are tired of being tired and are demanding change. These recently emerged trends stand for better work-life balance. For more freedom to choose when and where to work, and favour well-being over career growth or more money.

How Women Are Shaping New Work Trends

What’s interesting is that many of these trends, such as slow living and the snail girl era, are now dominated by women. As more young women join the workforce, they’ve likely noticed the corporate world is still male-dominated and designed for men. The whole environment is built on highly competitive principles, which biologically align with men’s strengths due to their male hormone, testosterone. That’s the opposite of what women are biologically built for – care, love, and softness due to our nature.

Since women are different from men, they need to work in ways that support their potential. For instance, taking more breaks, aligning their workload with their cycles, and avoiding overworking.

Now, imagine all these women trying to compete with men for better positions or higher salaries. What often happens is that either women push themselves too hard and burnout. Or they are dismissed and overlooked. This reality is what has led young women to speak up, dictating their own terms for what they imagine the “future of work” should look like.  

How the Pandemic Contributed to New Work Trends

Of course, women are not the only ones that want to slow down. Men are joining the movement as well. And this is probably due to the shifting, post pandemic trends in general. Covid 19 taught us that we can work remotely and be more independent from our employers and have more freedom. That freedom for many meant spending more time with their families. And not many people want to trade that freedom back. That’s why many prefer to embrace the “slow living” philosophy and apply it to their daily lives. 

Is slowing down a luxury in this modern world or can anyone do it?

Slowing down can seem like a luxury. I mean the costs of living aren’t slowing down, so how can one let herself/himself rest? Not to even mention daily chores, family responsibilities and so on.. At first, slowing down may seem impossible or like a “luxury,” but it doesn’t mean you stop working entirely. And it doesn’t have to mean that you will earn less. It can simply mean allowing yourself to take that extra break without feeling guilty. Setting healthy boundaries. Prioritising yourself and your health. These are the things that shouldn’t be considered “luxury”, but rather a necessity. And remember that if you don’t take a break now, your body will decide to do it for you. It will only cost you more time and stress later, so why not take that well-deserved break now?