Sunday 29 March 2015

Enforced Slow Living.......

 
 
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
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

36 comments:

  1. 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.
    Rosie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It really does help Rosie but I know it's not the easiest thing to do, take care :) xxx

      Delete
  2. I 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!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Jennifer, I'm particularly looking forward to reducing harsh chemicals in the home :) xxx

      Delete
  4. That'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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I 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

      Delete
  5. Hello, I have been reading your blog for a while and really love your posts. Beautiful pictures and positive attitude. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, it's good to know.....I'm never really sure who's out there! :) xxx

      Delete
  6. I hope that you enjoy your slow living and that it does good things for you! xx

    ReplyDelete
  7. It' 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

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thumbs 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.
    I wish you well with your slow living...
    Amanda xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bit at a time......we will get there eventually! ;) xxx

      Delete
  9. What 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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nothing beats freshly picked salad leaves, I just need to get them before the slugs! ;) xxx

      Delete
  10. The 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So many people say that.......thank you so much for popping by :) xxx

      Delete
  11. I like your list! Good way to start.
    Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I figured it's best to start small and not get overwhelmed by everything! ;) xxx

      Delete
  12. Living a simple life sounds very uncomplicated, and appealing x

    ReplyDelete
  13. You 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yoga 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

      Delete
  14. Good 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.
    Hugs,
    Sharon

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They do don't they......why then do we keep forgetting that!!! ;) xxx

      Delete
  15. I 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!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi LeeAnn, I hope you're fully recovered now :) xxx

      Delete
  16. I love your slow living mantra. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Oh 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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It does, and maybe we wouldn't have found it if it wasn't forced on us?! ;) xxx

      Delete
  18. Hope you are enjoying your slow living. It is a way of life that we try to practice too. Sarah x

    ReplyDelete

Hello! Thank you so much for leaving your thoughts and messages with me. I read each and everyone and will try and answer any questions as quickly as I can! :)x