Your pieces are always so peaceful and calming, like a warm cup of tea and a hug. One way that helps me slow down is stepping away from my tasks and cuddling or playing with my dog—I’m forced to place all my attention in the present moment on my dog. It’s a small break but it brings me back to the present moment, not rushing to my next task.
Oh my goodness, I needed to read every word of this today. I could almost hear my Nana "more haste less speed" was one of her favourite sayings. And it's so true. I've lost count of the times I've made more work for myself. Trying to multitask and getting stuff wrong, or rushing a task only to break something or leave it half done.
Thank you Louise. I am glad this found you at a time when you needed it - funny how that happens! I think it is all wrapped up in this idea of productivity, and the high stakes and high expectation we feel must sit alongside it! Doing a gentle task, or spending some time recouping is still productive. I guess, it is practicing this and being kinder to ourselves that will turn the tide.
Thank you Emily, I think you speak for many of us and we should all learn to pause, breathe consciously and take a moment to reflect. Since I was a small girl I have loved just sitting and staring out of the window not thinking anything in particular, I love and do it still.
Thank you. I think it's a lovely way to embrace some quiet and still ... I think it's so important to give our minds that time without the bombardment of 'busy life' 🙏
Thank you for this, Emily! I think we all have a lot to learn from fables like The Hare and The Tortoise - often it's something we already know but need to fully embrace. I'll definitely try being more tortoise this week 🐢
Me too ! As I was writing, 🐢🐰 it just suddenly came back to me, and how perfectly apt the story is for slow living. A lovely tale with so much wisdom 🙏
Thank you for these slow and gentle words, Emily. ❤️When reading your post I was immediately remembering a book that I read when I was a child... Momo by Michael Ende. I don't know how well this book is known in the non German speaking parts of the world, but it is about this small girl Momo, who is fighting against the Men in Grey who are working for the Timesavings Bank and who are steeling time from people. Momo gets help from the tortoise Cassiopeia. It is a 50 year old book but I think it's even more true in today's world. If you want to learn more about it, here's an article in Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Momo_(novel)). Actually, I will now go and get the book from my bookshelf (yes, I still have it) and start reading it again.
A gorgeous piece ❤️ I used to hurry everywhere and my life felt hectic (self imposed), it’s taken me years to make a dent in that and be more intentional with my time and energy, but it’s amazing how different life feels from this one change
Thank you so much. I still have to catch myself when I am hurrying, I am sure it is an inbuilt need for speed we've all been taught! Like you, it is slowing down and being more intentional that has been the game changer - and genuinely I get more done now than ever before!
Gorgeous, Emily :) Regularly checking in with what you have on your plate, what needs to be on there and what can be taken off is invaluable and as my plate has been very full for the past six months I'm taking some things off it now. Funnily enough in my latest Substack post I share ten ways to go from frazzled to calm that take only a minute x
Thank you! Yes, I agree and just knowing that sometimes it is ok to slow the pace down - I know for me, if I try and force myself I end up in knots. I will look at your latest Substack, thank you for recommending !
Lovely post, it’s so hard to not put pressure on ourselves, I am slowly getting there but it definitely takes time and practice. It’s always calming reading your posts 🥰
Thank you, that is really lovely to hear! It really is, I think it does take time, and it is harder than you think it will be too! I try and think, what would I say to a friend in this moment, and it is ALWAYS a lot more forgiving and kind, so that seems to be the best place to start.
Thank you for a lovely piece which helped me to appreciate the value of slowing down while the world races on. It is hard sometimes to hold firm to being a tortoise in a world of hares and a piece like this is so helpful in reminding me of what is important. So now I’ll go back to my morning activity of staring out of the window!
Thank you so much 😊 Yes, it can feel like the hares are running circles around us, but that doesn't mean they are ahead or doing better than us slow living advocates. I think it's all about finding the pace of life which suits you the most. 🙏 Our own individual sweet spot.
I have been in a season of life where I am expected to rush. With a full time job and less than a month to go for my professional degree exams, “hurry” seems to be my natural response to everything these days. But I love finding moments of calm amidst the chaos. I experienced this feeling after reading your newsletter. Really needed it. I can vouch for the fact that pausing for a moment to breathe can change the course of a rather chaotic day and turn it into a pleasant one. Thankyou for sharing this♥️
Thank you so much Mansi. Yes, I think it is also accepting that some periods of life are in and of themselves 'busier' ... and then as you say find the pockets and opportunities of calm in each day. They are there, just quiet little moments that don't seem like too much but added together make a big difference. I really hope your degree exams go well and things quieten down for you soon.
Emily, your post couldn't come at more appropriate time lol. As soon as I finished my morning routine, I took a wee look at Substack feed and yours was on the top. And it was like feeling slapped on my face. With a brick.
There's not a greater irony on me, a self-proclaimed slow living/slow fix writer, to experience HA (hypothalamic amenorrhea). It's the missing period for >3 months. I've been in it, plus with the irregular cycles months beforehand, since October 2023. Currently on a healing journey.
Causes of HA in many articles I read: undereating/ED, overexercising, stress. Am guilty of all of those. Now upping my food intake and still exercising but viewing it as a way to honour the movements. Stress is a department I decided to take NHS therapy sessions on.
Seriously, rushing in this modern world has cost us, especially women, our health. Thank you for constantly reminding us the importance of living slowly.
Oh Sekar ... I'm glad it resonated with you (though I hope the brick wasn't too heavy !!!) I'm glad you are in your healing journey. And you are so right rushing has cost us so much and it feels like the biggest lie of all. Time is our most precious commodity... It's like we've forgotten. Thank you for sharing 🙏
This was so beautiful to read Emily, definitely one of my favourite piece I've read recently.
It took me a long time to learn by accepting life before it happens, and letting go of your inner resistance to all things you cannot change, you unlock true emotional freedom from all of your self-imposed emotional pain.
Your pieces are always so peaceful and calming, like a warm cup of tea and a hug. One way that helps me slow down is stepping away from my tasks and cuddling or playing with my dog—I’m forced to place all my attention in the present moment on my dog. It’s a small break but it brings me back to the present moment, not rushing to my next task.
Thank you so much, that's just the loveliest thing to hear 🙏 you are very kind.
You have a wonderful way to slow down and shift your energy. Animals are such blessings, full of love and free if judgement. 💞
Oh my goodness, I needed to read every word of this today. I could almost hear my Nana "more haste less speed" was one of her favourite sayings. And it's so true. I've lost count of the times I've made more work for myself. Trying to multitask and getting stuff wrong, or rushing a task only to break something or leave it half done.
Thank you Louise. I am glad this found you at a time when you needed it - funny how that happens! I think it is all wrapped up in this idea of productivity, and the high stakes and high expectation we feel must sit alongside it! Doing a gentle task, or spending some time recouping is still productive. I guess, it is practicing this and being kinder to ourselves that will turn the tide.
Thank you Emily, really appreciated this.
You are more than welcome 🙏🙏
Thank you Emily, I think you speak for many of us and we should all learn to pause, breathe consciously and take a moment to reflect. Since I was a small girl I have loved just sitting and staring out of the window not thinking anything in particular, I love and do it still.
Thank you. I think it's a lovely way to embrace some quiet and still ... I think it's so important to give our minds that time without the bombardment of 'busy life' 🙏
Thank you for this, Emily! I think we all have a lot to learn from fables like The Hare and The Tortoise - often it's something we already know but need to fully embrace. I'll definitely try being more tortoise this week 🐢
Me too ! As I was writing, 🐢🐰 it just suddenly came back to me, and how perfectly apt the story is for slow living. A lovely tale with so much wisdom 🙏
Thank you for these slow and gentle words, Emily. ❤️When reading your post I was immediately remembering a book that I read when I was a child... Momo by Michael Ende. I don't know how well this book is known in the non German speaking parts of the world, but it is about this small girl Momo, who is fighting against the Men in Grey who are working for the Timesavings Bank and who are steeling time from people. Momo gets help from the tortoise Cassiopeia. It is a 50 year old book but I think it's even more true in today's world. If you want to learn more about it, here's an article in Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Momo_(novel)). Actually, I will now go and get the book from my bookshelf (yes, I still have it) and start reading it again.
Sounds like a lovely story 🙏 thank you so much for sharing it with us... I will try and find it . 💞
just found this gem and went back to edit my piece on rest that's going live tomorrow morning to send people here, perfect addition! xx
Thank you soooo much, that is amazing. I look forward to reading it tomorrow! Sunday is my favourite Substack reading day.
A gorgeous piece ❤️ I used to hurry everywhere and my life felt hectic (self imposed), it’s taken me years to make a dent in that and be more intentional with my time and energy, but it’s amazing how different life feels from this one change
Thank you so much. I still have to catch myself when I am hurrying, I am sure it is an inbuilt need for speed we've all been taught! Like you, it is slowing down and being more intentional that has been the game changer - and genuinely I get more done now than ever before!
Gorgeous, Emily :) Regularly checking in with what you have on your plate, what needs to be on there and what can be taken off is invaluable and as my plate has been very full for the past six months I'm taking some things off it now. Funnily enough in my latest Substack post I share ten ways to go from frazzled to calm that take only a minute x
Thank you! Yes, I agree and just knowing that sometimes it is ok to slow the pace down - I know for me, if I try and force myself I end up in knots. I will look at your latest Substack, thank you for recommending !
Lovely post, it’s so hard to not put pressure on ourselves, I am slowly getting there but it definitely takes time and practice. It’s always calming reading your posts 🥰
Thank you, that is really lovely to hear! It really is, I think it does take time, and it is harder than you think it will be too! I try and think, what would I say to a friend in this moment, and it is ALWAYS a lot more forgiving and kind, so that seems to be the best place to start.
That’s a great idea, definitely need to use that on myself more often
Thank you for a lovely piece which helped me to appreciate the value of slowing down while the world races on. It is hard sometimes to hold firm to being a tortoise in a world of hares and a piece like this is so helpful in reminding me of what is important. So now I’ll go back to my morning activity of staring out of the window!
Thank you so much 😊 Yes, it can feel like the hares are running circles around us, but that doesn't mean they are ahead or doing better than us slow living advocates. I think it's all about finding the pace of life which suits you the most. 🙏 Our own individual sweet spot.
Such a well written piece Emily!
I have been in a season of life where I am expected to rush. With a full time job and less than a month to go for my professional degree exams, “hurry” seems to be my natural response to everything these days. But I love finding moments of calm amidst the chaos. I experienced this feeling after reading your newsletter. Really needed it. I can vouch for the fact that pausing for a moment to breathe can change the course of a rather chaotic day and turn it into a pleasant one. Thankyou for sharing this♥️
Thank you so much Mansi. Yes, I think it is also accepting that some periods of life are in and of themselves 'busier' ... and then as you say find the pockets and opportunities of calm in each day. They are there, just quiet little moments that don't seem like too much but added together make a big difference. I really hope your degree exams go well and things quieten down for you soon.
Oh and I love your soothing, gentle voice, too. Feels like a cocoon I can hide myself in from the world, safe and protected for a moment.
Oh and I love your soothing, gentle voice, too. Feels like a cocoon I can hide myself in from the world, safe and protected for a moment.
Awww thank you! I've just impulsively jumped into audio ... So it's far from perfect, but I'll try and get better 💖
Emily, your post couldn't come at more appropriate time lol. As soon as I finished my morning routine, I took a wee look at Substack feed and yours was on the top. And it was like feeling slapped on my face. With a brick.
There's not a greater irony on me, a self-proclaimed slow living/slow fix writer, to experience HA (hypothalamic amenorrhea). It's the missing period for >3 months. I've been in it, plus with the irregular cycles months beforehand, since October 2023. Currently on a healing journey.
Causes of HA in many articles I read: undereating/ED, overexercising, stress. Am guilty of all of those. Now upping my food intake and still exercising but viewing it as a way to honour the movements. Stress is a department I decided to take NHS therapy sessions on.
Seriously, rushing in this modern world has cost us, especially women, our health. Thank you for constantly reminding us the importance of living slowly.
Oh Sekar ... I'm glad it resonated with you (though I hope the brick wasn't too heavy !!!) I'm glad you are in your healing journey. And you are so right rushing has cost us so much and it feels like the biggest lie of all. Time is our most precious commodity... It's like we've forgotten. Thank you for sharing 🙏
This was so beautiful to read Emily, definitely one of my favourite piece I've read recently.
It took me a long time to learn by accepting life before it happens, and letting go of your inner resistance to all things you cannot change, you unlock true emotional freedom from all of your self-imposed emotional pain.
Thank you for such a generous compliment. 🙏 It feels like the longest but most profound lesson of all. ✨