12 Comments
User's avatar
Sylvia Chard's avatar

I am in my late 80s and I have had to slow down. Not a choice. However, I do have choices in the way I design my slowed down life. I agree that slowing down can be done in so many different ways. Your main points that this way of life can be for all or us and expressed in so many different ways is so helpful. Because of my age I can let go of certain activities and modify others without regret... just gratitude for being fit and healthy and doing the things I love more slowly and intentionally.

Expand full comment
Sophie S.'s avatar

Thanks Sylvia, I'm so glad the message resonates with you. Being fit and healthy and doing things with intention is so important in life!

Expand full comment
Rachel Shenk's avatar

It’s a mindset not a lifestyle. Enjoyed reading this.

Expand full comment
Sophie S.'s avatar

Thanks Rachel!

Expand full comment
Neela 🌶️'s avatar

This is such an important reminder that we can reclaim the spirit of slow living without subscribing to its aesthetic. A deep breath over dishes, a mindful moment in the car. Those count too. And honestly, I’d love a version of slow living that includes instant coffee and chaotic mornings.

Hope you are having a calm week Sophie.

PS I am a Jacinda fan :)

Expand full comment
Sophie S.'s avatar

Glad to hear you're a Jacinda fan too, you'd like her memoir! And yes, the little moments count so much more, it's those tiny instants of slowing down that truly make a difference

Expand full comment
Neela 🌶️'s avatar

I did read it. It was wonderful.

I wish they could all be like Jacinda :)

Expand full comment
Sophie S.'s avatar

the world would be a very different place...

Expand full comment
Ashley@Briefly's avatar

You make great points about the elitist/exclusive/unattainable bar that gets set via social media and I wish more people were saying this as eloquently as you have. My post from this Monday about how to escape when you can’t (spoiler: do something creative - and it doesn’t have to be complicated or costly) is along similar lines.

https://open.substack.com/pub/ashleykaiser/p/escape-into-summer?r=r1lqn&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false

Expand full comment
Sophie S.'s avatar

Thanks Ashley, appreciate your kind words 😌

Expand full comment
JFT Beach 🇬🇧 🏊 🧘‍♂️'s avatar

These are great distinctions Sophie between the "organic slow squeezed oat milk latte with a side of fermented kombucha banana bread" all for the 'gram crowd and just... well... slowing down a wee bit day to day. The 2nd option is sensible and realistic. I also feel envious, in an odd way, of you being chased by a wild pig. Never had that experience. Hope slow living is still proving fun and challenging!

Expand full comment
Sophie S.'s avatar

The experience of the pig actually wasn't that scary, it was more something I hadn't expected 😅 thanks for stopping by 😁

Expand full comment