The Art of Slow (Part 1)

“If we move too fast, we’ll break things. If we move too slow, we’ll miss things. And if we don’t move at all, we won’t see things for how beautiful they truly are.”

Just like a car cannot run without petrol, we need to pause to refuel what drives us. It’s time for a break, a well-earnt pause and some ideas to refuel our minds, bodies and souls. Whilst summertime for many this year will be atypical, rather than moan and groan about what we can’t do, let’s see what we can do and how we can benefit from less rushing and more being. They say crisis inspires creativity; how creative will you choose to be this vacation season?  

This month, we are on a mission to uncover some of the best ways to slow down as well as how we can tackle the guilt we often feel when we need to take a break.  

What is slow living?

Simply put, slow living is a lifestyle choice. Being mindful and focusing on each task with awareness and perhaps a touch more, say, dedication? It is also the gentle art of slowing down, actively listening, and soaking up what is happening at that moment. 

Let's take the craft of making a good cup of coffee, shall we? You’ve sought out the beans that match your desired flavour profile, you’ve ground the beans to your ideal granule size for your coffee making apparatus, heated the water to 93 degrees before you pour and watch the grinds bloom as your coffee drips into your favourite mug. You take your cuppa joe and sit in your ideal spot; a comfortable chair perhaps or a seat with a view. Whatever floats your boat, you sit and savour each sip. 

Like coffee, anyone can apply slow living to their life, whatever interests may be. Take fashion, for example, and you will find yourself talking to supporters of slow fashion, who wouldn’t blink to spend hours trawling through thrift shops to source a previously loved and faded tee or jeans. But not all slow fashion is about second-hand. On the flip side, some focus on quality-over-quantity and invest in statement pieces and capsule wardrobes. 

Or, slow travel seems even more apt with people opting for staycations and breaks that support their wellbeing or taking a more extended break that is a more significant investment (or time and financially). Is it the end of bargain flights and nipping off for the weekend? No. But perhaps the weekend break will be by boat, car or train as people choose to stay closer to home, explore surroundings and find new ways to appreciate what is on our doorstep. 

To summarise slow living, we would say it is taking time to appreciate some of the finer things in life, more of the free things in life and - as buro247 put it, “work less, live more”. We can take from this knowing one thing: we could all use a break. Whether we choose a tech break, a staycation or making time for more mindful moments in our days, let us remember the ‘art of slow’ and call on it as a reminder to do things mindfully.

What are the benefits of slowing down? And who’s doing it?

Good health and longevity for one! We’ve been in ore of Dan Buettner and his team’s work over the years researching the Blue Zone communities and their habits. The five Blue Zone places where people live the longest and are healthiest are Okinawa, Japan, Sardinia, Italy, Nicoya, Costa Rica, Ikaria, Greece and Loma Linda, California. In his Ted talk, Dan shares that our genes determine just 10% of how long we live, but extraordinarily it is 90% of our environment influencers longevity. What these zones have in common is clear: a set of shared values that bind their slower and mindful living practises and a focus on what matters most to them. This emphasis is on well-being, family and loved ones, good healthy food and healthy consumption habits. 

For example, in Okinawa, the women lived longer, attributed to diet, community, and eating to being 80% full. It is well known that the Japanese have a word for finding your true calling in life - your purpose - they call it ‘ikigai’, and the Okinawans can tell you why they wake every day. 

Isolation impacts health negatively. Blue zone communities place a big emphasis on doing things together. Our takeaway: find your ‘art of slow’, find your tribe to slow down with and enjoy every moment. Dan says that 15 minutes of slowing down a day will reduce inflammation and add years to your life.

Let’s remind our friends, co-workers and family how important it is to take a break. Life is a constant balance, and sometimes we just need to slow down to avoid it passing us by. What will you do to refuel your passion for your next vacation? Tell us what matters most to you. We would love to hear.