I don’t know about you, but I’ve been cribbing about how time flies. OMG, it’s the October, 2024! I feel the beginning of the year in Thailand was just a couple of months ago. Time flies! Sound familiar? Well, today, for the first time, I felt like the time was just right. Often, we say we cannot do something because of packed and busy schedules. Well, make time! It is as easy as that.
This Sunday, too, my calendar was packed; church, hitting Lalbagh for plants, attending a friend’s food truck opening, and my birthday shopping. I couldn’t squeeze even a simple hair mask routine into it. But, somehow I cleared everything out of my schedule and made time for ME.
Why choose slow living?
I have been feeling burnt out; like I am on this constant chase of something even I don’t know about. Trying to see places, spend time with friends, and make life so exciting that I cannot sleep peacefully. Is that worth it? Maybe for you. But it was time for me to slow down. The concept of slow living has been in the back of my head for a long time. Not that I knew it was called slow living back then. But, I want to make life about a mundane and boring routine which gives me ample time to plan things I want to do when I have the time.
Is life really that short that you need to do everything at once? Not really. Slow living is about doing things at your own pace and making it about contentment and experiences rather than FOMO. Live a life full of quality experiences rather than just a quantity of situations. That’s where mindfulness comes in. That’s where you are busy loving your life, job, and every relationship.
My slow-living Sunday
Today I woke up early, made some tea, and sipped it to the sound of borewell digging. Not very peaceful, not very demure, not very mindful. But, I chose to focus on my tea, the flavors, the right temperature, and how it made my throat feel. My mum cooked breakfast while I browsed Instagram for more than 45 minutes only to develop a migraine because of the constant screen. That’s when I decided I could not have a mind-numbing Sunday like every other day.
I took some steam to ease my sinuses, relaxed for a while, and went to church. And I wouldn’t have guessed it but there was a plant sale at Church to support Environment Day. The universe was letting me complete at least one task I had planned. The day went better after that. I came home to a pre-cooked lunch Mum made. The annoying borewell sounds were still going on. So, I took a short walk away from home. Refreshed, I returned to a good afternoon nap. I then made a hibiscus hair mask and took my time in the bath to scrub my entire body and a hot shower. Later, I used some incense to dry my hair. I love this habit my granny had; it is about nostalgia and a different kind of aromatherapy.
Little Forest-A movie that showcases slow living
Then, I watched “Little Forest“. The movie runs on a similar theme. There is no drama, relationship tussles, or anti-climax that has your heart, gripping in fear or worry. Just an easy movie that goes at a slow pace and follows a girl on her food-making journey as the seasons change.
Slow living isn’t always smooth
So far my slow living was going smooth with a bit of dents but it had been the most relaxing thing I had done in a long time. My friends were very persistent about attending the food truck opening ceremony but I politely declined. While I love my friends, today was just about ME.
The evening, I decided to make my famous Pepper Mutton recipe and mindfully cooked it. The process was amazing. No rush, no pressure, and I absolutely loved every minute of it. I even made an organic buttermilk recipe full of curry leaves to aid my haircare journey. Dinner was peaceful without any TV or phone to distract me. A meal my mother and I enjoyed without office meetings or outside distractions.
My dream life
What started as a busy day, turned out to be amazing. Thanks to slow living. If given a chance, I too would love to move to a farm, live on the produce I make, and enjoy the simpler times. I crave this kind of living. But, given what I have, I am content with making the best out of my time in the corporate world by sneaking in times of slow living.
Life isn’t short. Slow down, do less, and enjoy every bit of time you have. I turn 30 this month. Going by the median age, I still have 40+ years on this earth. It is okay if I don’t see all the places in the world. It is okay if I don’t become so rich that I buy houses across the globe. What matters in the end is if I live with what I have in utter contentment.
Cut the chase out of your life. Choose yourself and your peace of mind. Live life to the fullest at a slow and easy pace. The world can wait.