Hello Lovely Slower Living (and Ideas to Welcome More Peace)

I often need to be reminded to practice slower living…maybe you do too. It’s a challenge to resist how the culture and capitalism condition us to: hustle, strive, produce, race, push through, sleep when we’re dead, and fake it til you we make it. All of those WINNING hashtags and ego boosts!!! The downside of professional productivity for me is that when it is prioritized, my personal life grows hectic. Piles of stuff take over! Slower living just now means ignoring messages that my worth is tied to output and speed. I know I will begin to feel better with some decluttering, letting go, and paring down. Yet I won’t do it all feverishly. Need permission to slow down? Hello Lovely Slower Living and Ideas to Welcome More Peace offers it.

Hello Lovely Slower Living

For me, sleep is a great place to begin. Need to catch up? Turning in at an earlier hour is always a good idea.

So is carving out time during the day for gentle yoga, stretching, baking, meditation, cozying down with a book, and planning a relaxing getaway where ‘hustle’ is non-existent from my vocabulary.

Somehow smaller more subtle and simple gestures begin to appeal as you intentionally live slower.

When I consider how many years I LIVED FOR declaring I got sooooo much done today or here I go saving the world again or just look at all this progress made! (By the way, these images of our prior home where things look spare were snapped just before we moved.)

(Not in the mood for empty rooms? Composed vignettes and decorated interiors to inspire in my archives!)

In these images, all the Christmas-y things and winter “extras” were packed away, and the clean sweep felt like sweet relief.

Living spare can also be living with easy maintenance when your “only looks real” succulent requires nothing in its awesomeness.

Subtract Before Adding Back Slowly

It always feels so good to give a room a deep clean and slowly decide what to include and what to skip.

It serves as a metaphor for slower living as well. There are always inflection points where we can decide to what we will give ourselves. What will we clear out, and what will stay?

In case you were wondering, no need to rush such decisions. Slower is thoughtful and better.

There are plenty of posts where you probably recall me saying I’m not sure I have that kind of time. And it’s true we never know. But not even that reality demands hurrying.

This reflection continues to resonate right where I am:

Ya know? Chasing has lost its charms.

Savoring Is Where It’s At

As far as chronic illness and autoimmune disease, I have good days and not so good days, and I tell you what…

I savor the peaceful ones with slower living. There was a time when having a good day was a sort of signal to shift into turbo mode. After all, how could there be balance if I simply rested while I felt well?

But now I know that when you decide to take it slower, things still get done. Even without adrenaline rushes or self-imposed pressures leading to feelings of inadequacy.

So I truly recommend lowering the bar. Think about some of the messages we have accepted…she let herself go…as if the worst thing we could possibly do is relax more, eat comforting things, stop dieting, or *gasp* liberate ourselves.

BTW, no one is going to be whispering about how impressed they are with your letting yourself go slow-mo awesomeness and liberation.

hahahaha. Prepare for passive aggressive choruses of bless her hearts from the ambitious speedy ones.

Slowing Down for Mental Health

One of the more challenging parts of my own daily life is how survival depends upon…umm… eating food. Really! It is a challenge to not develop disordered eating when you struggle to this degree with digestion, absorption of nutrients, and GI issues. In fact, it takes a lot of mental stamina to stay mentally fit with pathology and autoimmunity. Since I’m basically allergic to myself, even the healthiest diet and optimistic attitude won’t keep me well.

This ongoing challenge means I cannot count on any certainty with my body’s reactivity. It shows me very little mercy. Yet I must continue to nourish it, exercise, and show it kindness without expectations of reward. I can’t become attached to outcomes or develop trust. With the uncertainty and lack of assurances, slowing things down is often a wise choice.

Slow Living Tips from an Expert

Interested in a slower pace? Maybe this will enlighten.

We’re Ever Moving Forward (But Slowly)

Since I can blog from anywhere, my schedule allows me to travel when I have the strength.

This winter I plan to spend more time in a warmer climate for liberal doses of fresh air, sunshine, and slow daily beauty.

While I don’t yet have firm snowbird plans, I’ll take it one day at a time and s l o w.

I find that these days, more and more, in everything I do, the fruits of slower strides emerge.

Words of Affirmation for You

HERE’S TO a life LIVED SLOWER yet FULLER as the GIFT it is…where LOVE is always the point.

(Oh, and also remember that there are options beyond FOMO! I’m partial to JOMO myself. So many paths toward more peace as you live your YES in slow motion.)

The thing is, when trouble comes, for many of us, the response is feverish desperation.

If only we could see in our heartbrokenness that desperation is somehow a sign we are on our way to peace. (If only because we have reached an end of something: our personal resources.)

10 SLOW & Smart Moves

Here’s a collection of ideas that doesn’t include the word namaste (not that meditation isn’t important…it’s just that not everyone is ready for that practice).

While our list is incomplete, it’s a start. I personally believe in the power of prayer and build it into daily rhythms that center me.

Regarding #8 on our list…so important to let go of shame and forgive yourself in order to welcome more peace. Sometimes shame, pain, and regret can get lodged in the body.

Also, as far as #10 (invest in relationships)…this thought from BBT is the goal:

Wow. Every time I open to that challenge, I realize it is the work of a lifetime. Thanks for considering these reflections.

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Thanks for shopping RIGHT HERE to keep decor inspiration flowing on Hello Lovely!

Hello Lovely is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.