Life in the slow lane

“It always pays to dwell slowly on the beautiful things – the more beautiful the more slowly.” Atticus, philosopher

Today’s world is designed for us to rush. To rush from place to place, to rush through life’s achievements, the career ladder, around the supermarket or even through lunch. Even meditation apps which are meant to help bring calm to our lives monitor our meditation streak and turn this ancient, calming practice into a chore that needs to be ticked off as part of the gamification of modern lives.

I fell into this trap along with many other millennials. We were taught from a young age that working hard was the way to achieve success. Coupled with the good girl phenomenon that many of us fell prey to, I felt the constant need to be working towards the next achievement and not stopping to pause and recognise what I'd achieved already.

This was me until the cruel world of infertility became the main character in my life. In what seems to be a common response in the fertility community, I found myself craving a simpler life. I started dreaming of selling our house in London and moving to the country. I wanted to have a garden when I grew vegetables. I wanted to spend my weekends on long, rambling walks in the middle of nowhere. I wanted to escape the pressure of my frantic and rushed life, and find some peace somewhere. Anywhere.

In the end a combination of the physical impacts of a fertility journey, an intense few years at work and the sadness of infertility led to burn out and ultimately some extended time off work.

As I slowed down and gave myself more time to achieve everyday tasks I began to realise that not every moment of every day has to be productive. In complete contrast to the hustle culture we’ve been raised on, I started to embrace the idea that I could spend time doing something simply because I enjoyed it. After 15 years in my career I realised I had no hobbies, I needed to rediscover what those things I enjoyed doing might be.

I started with hobbies I could do at home. Baking, cooking, sewing, reading became a regular part of my week and I loved the creativity and the time where my brain was solely focused on a single task. I wasn’t in a rush, I was doing something I loved, using the creative part of my brain and embracing the idea of making things from scratch rather than resorting to convenience.

As my brain started to slow down, so did my day to day life, I found myself walking slower, eating slower, taking longer showers, sleeping more and I started to find some peace with silence. I still did things with intention and purpose but I was more conscious and did things with less haste.

Back at work, these hobbies continued to give me a break from the relentless pace of life in London, especially while subsequently navigating divorce. But slow living isn’t about filling your time with hobbies instead of essentials, they’d soon just become another thing to get done in your week. It’s about slowing down the pace of life, choosing joy and freedom in your every day, giving yourself the flexibility to do what you want and need in as many moments as possible.

I used to think that level of flexibility was impossible if you wanted to live in London, have a successful career and meet all of life’s milestones that society demands of you. But over the last couple of years I have learnt how to build that freedom into my life without giving up my city or my career. It is possible to build a slower, more considered and intentional life without completely giving up your old one. It does require a different approach to priorities though.

For me, slow living is about slowing down the pace of life, building flexibility in your life to focus as much time as possible on the beautiful things that bring you joy, romanticising your life and as a result being more intentional with your every day. Through the Slow Living Diaries I hope to share more on my journey, some favourite recipes, my slow travel journeys and other bits and pieces along the way. I hope you’ll join me.

Samantha x

Subscribe now

Share