I've been reading a lot recently about Slow Living, about living a simpler life, taking care our yourself, the environment we live in.......mindfulness. About slowing down the pace, reducing our impact on the earth.
Over the last few years I've experienced an 'enforced slow living'. By that I mean I can't do anything very quickly anymore ;). I'm time rich now, perhaps not what I would have chosen, but actually it's a good way to live. I already practise mindfulness, still a novice, but a firm believer in its benefits, not just mentally, but physically too.
It feels like I'm on a new path. I'm setting myself new goals. Baby steps, but they are steps forward.....well we all have to start somewhere, right?
So, my Slow Living mantra....which I'm sure will change and develop, as I go along the path:
To eat as healthily as I can, unprocessed, whole foods.
To structure mindfulness into my day, it's still a little ad hoc at the moment.
To add 10 minutes of yoga to my day.
To edit my possessions, I have far too much 'stuff'. I've stared on this, but this will be ongoing and there's lots to do.....it's something that never really stops.
To try and use only natural cleaning products in our home......I'm learning the amazing properties of bicarbonate of soda!
To grow a few things to eat, even if it's just salad leaves, herbs and courgettes!
It. Feels. Good.
Amanda :) xxx
Great ideas Ada. I enjoy my enforced slow living too. I get to see all the little things in life that most people miss. But I To must stay eating better. My diet is appalling! Mostly because I'm in so much pain that the last thing I want to do is easy. Bad habit.
ReplyDeleteRosie
It really does help Rosie but I know it's not the easiest thing to do, take care :) xxx
DeleteI think everyone need a slow living approach nowadays and I'm happy you found your way! PS vinegrette with bicarbonate of soda or alone is very useful to clean naturally the house! Happy sunday!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tama, lemons and olive oil too! :) xxx
DeleteI think these are really great ideas and they will definitely help you live a slower, more simplified life. Hope you have had a good weekend.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jennifer, I'm particularly looking forward to reducing harsh chemicals in the home :) xxx
DeleteThat's a really good list and there are similar goals on the one here. Struggling with getting rid of stuff, though (especially books and maybe plates), and wondering how I can keep the dog away from the tomatoes which are bound to grow from the seeds I've just planted in a little tray on the kitchen windowsill.
ReplyDeleteI think just do it a little at a time, and not put yourself under too much pressure! Put up a sign, no dogs allowed....I'm sure that will help! ;) xxx
DeleteHello, I have been reading your blog for a while and really love your posts. Beautiful pictures and positive attitude. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, it's good to know.....I'm never really sure who's out there! :) xxx
DeleteI hope that you enjoy your slow living and that it does good things for you! xx
ReplyDeleteThanks Amy, I'm sure it will :) xxx
DeleteIt' sounds good, enforced first aid in fact! Rocket is really easy to grow and I think the pepperyness has something in it that's really good for you. Also radish seem pretty easy. That's it, that's all I know. X
ReplyDeleteYou are funny! ;) xxx
DeleteThumbs up to slow living, I feel snowed under with all my stuff. It was quite overwhelming to start cleaning out at once. So I chose one draw or cupboard and clean that out, then just stop. Yesterday just sorting the book shelf's out made me feel happy. The other thing I have done is get rid of Sky and all the channels it came with. My husband could spend the whole evening flicking through and not watching anything, we have the basic set up and we now chose to watch a odd thing. If there is nothing on we switch it of and find a book, even talk. The lighter evenings mean we will probably go for a little walk.
ReplyDeleteI wish you well with your slow living...
Amanda xx
Bit at a time......we will get there eventually! ;) xxx
DeleteWhat a lovely mantra, this is the way to live I think. I'm trying to declutter around here bit by bit, but as you say, it's an ongoing process. We don't have a large house, we have to be discerning about what we have. Salad leaves are a brilliant thing to grow, you can pick just what you need each day, and sow a few different varieties. I hope you manage to grow a few things this year. CJ xx
ReplyDeleteNothing beats freshly picked salad leaves, I just need to get them before the slugs! ;) xxx
DeleteThe floral sheets on the top of the right hand shelves of your display brought back memories of my daughters first duvet when she was nine. 40 years ago. She was mad on orange and brown and I got these from Marks and Spencers for her as a surprise when she came home from Brownie camp. It was lovely to see them again.
ReplyDeleteSo many people say that.......thank you so much for popping by :) xxx
DeleteI like your list! Good way to start.
ReplyDeleteLiz @ Shortbread & Ginger
I figured it's best to start small and not get overwhelmed by everything! ;) xxx
DeleteLiving a simple life sounds very uncomplicated, and appealing x
ReplyDeleteVery appealing! :) xxx
DeleteYou are so right about simplifying being an ongoing process. Will be filling a basket of stuff today - love to send off bundles to the charity shop. Am going to have a good look at my summer clothes this holiday, lose what I no longer love and (this is the good bit) look to fill some gaps. It makes me so happy to par everything down. Am also going to look for a yoga class - it is time to start.
ReplyDeleteYoga is fantastic Karen, I loved my class. I'm not strong enough at the moment to go back but I'm hoping to start gently and see where it takes me :) xxx
DeleteGood for you, Amanda. It is hard sometimes to slow down and it chafes when we are forced into it. I'm still learning to take it slow and easy. When I do, things go much better.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Sharon
They do don't they......why then do we keep forgetting that!!! ;) xxx
DeleteI was very ill through Christmas and until end of February so I too have been 'slow living'. I am commenting backwards as I am way behind on reading blogs too. Bicarbonate is amazing, and goes well with vinegar for cleaning things. I love your cat, she is so pretty!
ReplyDeleteHi LeeAnn, I hope you're fully recovered now :) xxx
DeleteI love your slow living mantra. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThank you! :) xxx
DeleteOh yes, I'm all about the slow living way too! Great mantra there. It feels good to find a way of life that works for you and makes so much sense doesn't it? xxx
ReplyDeleteIt does, and maybe we wouldn't have found it if it wasn't forced on us?! ;) xxx
DeleteHope you are enjoying your slow living. It is a way of life that we try to practice too. Sarah x
ReplyDeleteBest way Sarah! ;) xxx
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