Slow & Gentle Living - The Basics

“Slow down and enjoy life. It’s not only the scenery you miss by going too fast — you also miss the sense of where you are going and why.” - Eddie Cantor

This voiceover is an audio version of my Slow Sunday Letter below. It is unedited, so may have some stutters, imperfections, and background noise. I hope you enjoy listening to it anyway!

Welcome to Generosity of Spirit, a gentle community for YOU. We find pockets of time for slow & gentle living, books, writing, journaling & life affirming work. You are so welcome here in our cosy space, grab a cuppa & stay a while... 🐢🙏📚☕💌

Welcome back to another Slow Sunday Letter! I hope you have had a slow and gentle week.

In this week’s Slow Sunday Letter - I thought we may take a look back at the basics of slow and gentle living. I wanted to share with you all some in-roads into this philosophy, and some easy ways you can start implementing slowness into your lives today.

For those of you who are new, or curious, about living more slowly, and those of us who have used this as guiding philosophy for some time- I think there is a lot of value in reminding ourselves regularly of the heart and soul behind this way of life.

So grab a cuppa, get cosy and let’s explore the basics of slow and gentle living …

Please note - this is a jam packed letter, so it may be too long to read in your email so click through to read on your browser or read on the Substack app.

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The Magic of Slowing Down

When we get stuck in fast forward - sometimes it will take some kind of wake up call which makes us realise that we have forgotten how to slow down. For me, it was double dose of loss/grief and anxiety. But, it can also be as small as not being able to rest, not knowing how to be alone, be reliant on social media, or simply being in a hurry all the time.

I am not exaggerating when I say, slow living has completely transformed my life in the couple of years. It has opened up a space for me in the world, in which I feel safe and understood. I find myself on my own path – not the one I was placed on by others, not the one I thought I should be following – but my own.

If you’re constantly trying to keep up with other people’s expectations or focused on speed and gaining, it’s easy to miss out on life’s simple pleasures. But when you’re able to slow down and live at your own pace, it becomes much easier for you to enjoy life’s little joys.

When you slow down, it isn’t about going just going as slowly as possible - it is about doing everything at the right pace for you, at the right time. It is quality over quantity. Being mindful, and experiencing life as fully as you can in the present.

I have lived with anxiety for many years, and I often find the world overwhelming. I’ve gone through periods of unease, uncertainty, and downright fear. I lost myself completely to anxiety a few years ago, and on the road to recovery, I slowly started opening myself up, as I embarked on a one-woman mission to sooth my spirit and heal. I tried everything; meditation, journaling, herbal supplements, walking, movement, art, breathwork, crystal healing – on and on I went. I forced myself back out into the world, telling myself that I had to try and be ‘normal’. I couldn’t retreat into myself, and just exist in my safe place (my house!). But, I couldn’t hide out forever - I had to live. Of course, I did get back out there – but I felt like I was walking in treacle. I still didn’t understand my place in this busy, loud and sometimes scary world.

I first came across slow living around two years ago - the more I read and explored, the more I realised it could be everything I had been looking for as a philosophy and foundation for how I wanted to live my life. Coupled with gentle living, I started to create a life built around being slow and gentle and over time, I started to feel calmer, more at peace, grounded and happier. I needed both slow and gentle to come together to create the perfect safe place for me to start reaffirming my place in the world.

Slow and gentle living has given me the opportunity to disconnect from the noise of the world and find a deeper sense of contentment. It helps me live more mindfully, and connect more meaningfully and authentically with who I really am.

I truly believe in this life-changing philosophy, and it is my hope to share it with as many people as I can here at Generosity of Spirit.

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What Is Slow & Gentle Living?

• Slow and gentle living is a way of life that is centred around taking your time and enjoying the moment.

• It’s about slowing down your pace, and appreciating the little things in life.

• Slow and gentle living encourages us to give ourselves grace, be kind, and reconnect with ourselves.

• It’s about finding a healthy balance between doing and being, with a focus on quality over quantity.

• It’s about taking the time to enjoy life’s simple pleasures, and living at your own pace.

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Where Do You Begin?

“For fast acting relief, try slowing down.” Lily Tomlin

Slow and gentle living is not easy, and can be quite challenging. Often people may be curious about it, but not know where to start, or feel like it isn’t for them, and their busy lives. But - I really think slow living is for everyone.

Speed Check

Carl Honore talks about a ‘speed check’. He advises at various times of the day - taking a moment to gage how fast you are doing, whatever you are doing - it could be taking a shower, driving somewhere, walking the dog, reading, or cooking dinner.

In these moments- pause, create a real moment of awareness, and ask yourself - am I doing this too fast? can I slow down?

Then, take five deep breaths, and go back to whatever you were doing and slow down.

This is a simple, free, easy way everyone can slow down - but it is a powerful practice and will certainly start to open your mind to your speed, and the potential of slow living.

Taking a slower approach to how you live your life is fundamental when it comes to living a meaningful and fulfilling life. Start with a few changes every day, and little by little a shift in mindset will welcome a new slow philosophy, that could open up the key to a happy and content life.

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The Slow Secret of Life

Slow down the pace.

Learn how to be more present.

Take some time for yourself, be gentle.

Be more observant of the world around you.

Spend time doing what matters most.

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The Four Principles of Slow Living

The world of slow living is focused on four main principles: mindfulness, gratitude, simplicity, and generosity.

Mindfulness

Mindfulness means being in the present moment and practicing self-awareness. It’s about purposely disconnecting from distractions and tuning into your own thoughts and emotions. It is a tool you can use anytime, anywhere.

TRY : meditation, breathing exercises, connecting with nature

Gratitude

This is all about consciously appreciating what you have in your life. It’s a practice that focuses on being thankful for the things, people, and events around you.

TRY: keeping a gratitude journal, thanking people around you more often

Simplicity

Simplicity is about focusing on what’s truly important to you, and cutting back on things that are unnecessary. It’s about getting rid of the excess in your life so you can make room for the good stuff.

TRY: decluttering, mindful spending

Generosity

The final principle is all about sharing yourself with other people. Through slow living, it’s possible to connect and share yourself with others in a meaningful way.

TRY: organising a date with a friend or family member, eating together at the dinner table with no phones

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Slow Living Tips For Beginners

Morning Routine

I wrote recently about my desire to creating a varied morning routine, that ebbs and flows with your energy levels and the seasons.

Read more here :

Spending a few minutes before your day begins to truly make time for yourself and set the pace for the rest of the day is powerful. Read a few pages of a book, meditate, move your body, journal or simply sit quietly with your first cup of tea. Start small and see how creating a morning routine that really speaks to you, that can change daily with you according to your energy, schedule and the seasons can have a positive impact on your day.

Connect With Nature

I have recently leaned into my connection with the natural world and its restorative energy. Connecting with nature has so many benefits. I live and work in the city, so for me being in nature isn’t as easy as I would like – but even a city has many opportunities to reconnect with the natural world. I make sure to get outside most days, helped by my daily walking commute to and from work. I find the pockets of green, or spend time by the river, which happily flows through the city. I’ve tried to slow right down, to really notice the small things, and give myself time to appreciate the natural beauty right under my nose.

Slow Down - Literally

We are all guilty of wishing time away, and doing a bit of clock watching every now and again. One of the most important keystones of slow and gentle living is embracing it as a mindset, just as much as a lifestyle. Listen to your body and tune into what your spirit needs. Allow yourself to take the time to enjoy every part of your day, often this can mean literally slowing down. Things will take as long as they take, accepting this is such a powerful shift.

Read more here:

Declutter

Busy lifestyles often equal cluttered homes, so why not take the opportunity to simplify your living space? I have been embracing minimalism, and have found it has really calmed my space and decluttered my mind. Re-organise your space so it suits a slower pace of life, truly think about what you need and spend some time thinking about how you curate your living space.

This has so much influence over slow and gentle living. I love my small home, and I enjoy creating a peaceful space that lets my spirit relax and gives my mind the opportunity to be curious. It can be as easy as lighting a candle, or burning some incense, lowering the lights and putting on some gentle music. It gives your body and mind the signal that you are safe and it is ok to slow down.

Slow Cooking

I love cooking and for me slow living and slow cooking go hand in hand. To start with why not try focusing on eating mindfully… Cook your favourite meal, a meal you have made many times and focus on enjoying the process. Then, eat it at a table and remove any distractions - focus entirely on the physical sensations of eating your meal. Think about how different it feels, and how much more nourished you feel afterwards.

Boundaries

You don’t need to change every aspect of your life to go slow but eliminating activities that you have no interest in is a good place to start. As I live with anxiety, I am very used to creating a safe place for myself, and I think very carefully about what I say yes to in terms of a social gathering or activities. Just make sure you are moving with intention, and not out of obligation. Embrace the joy of missing out, and make time for those things you love.

Embrace Your Time Alone

I am an introvert, so I do enjoy spending time alone, in fact it is a vital part of my self-care. I simply couldn’t ‘do life’ without a significant amount of time on my own and cultivating a very calm and quiet place. I think there is real benefit in embracing your time alone, and making sure you allow for some quiet. This can be through meditation, a walk with no headphones or just having a quiet bubble bath. We are constantly bombarded with noise, screens, people, and our minds are constantly flooded with stimulation. Learning how to slow down is about getting to know yourself, and giving your mind peace.

Mindful Digital Consumption

The way we feel about our devices and digital consumption can really impact our lives, how we feel and our mood. Try creating a slower, healthier relationship with your gadgets and digital world. If we can streamline our digital use, we could gain more control and intention over how we spend our time. We could create space in our lives for day dreaming, creative ideas, our own thoughts and real connections to those around us. Living in a digital world has so many benefits, but we must make sure that we remain in control of our consumption, so that our digital tools are helping us, and benefiting our lives, not overwhelming them and losing us time.

Allow For ‘Free Time’/Take Breaks

We schedule in everything… work, appointments, social gatherings, exercise, food-shops, but do you ever schedule free time? Try blocking out time in your week for nothing. Do you often work through your breaks/lunch at work? Try scheduling breaks throughout the day, and taking your lunch away from your desk or work space.

It is all too easy to notice a free afternoon in a busy schedule and quickly rush to fill it, or work through your lunch or break time - especially if those around you are doing the same thing. But try making it a non-negotiable – take your breaks at work, and leave your free time, free.

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Book Recommendations:

In praise of slow - Carl Honore

Seeking Slow - Melanie Barnes

A Year of living Simply: The Joys of a Life Less Complicated - Kate Humble

Substack Recommendations:

Amy Pigott

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Debbie Meredith

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Molly Ella

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David Barton

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liz | wsc

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Slow & Steady - My NEW Paid Membership!

Would you like company through a slow and steady year? Then join my new membership!

A cosy and gentle space to gather together, learn from and inspire one another. Go deeper into Slow & Gentle Living and what it can mean for you.

Slow & Steady will offer 12 exclusive letters for members moving through each month of 2025. The membership is an extension of my free offerings, a deeper and more personal dive into slow and gentle living, creative work and my own life and experiences.

I do hope you will consider joining Slow & Steady - for £3.50 a month (or £35 a year), you will get an exclusive monthly letter, access to our members only journal chat space and a personal welcome letter from me to you!

I would be over the moon to welcome you. To read more about what my new membership includes read my launch post below!

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If you are new to slow living, I really hope this has helped introduce you to some of the foundations of slow and gentle living, and perhaps piqued your interest. If you already practice slow and gentle living, please share some of the ways you harness the philosophy.

I would really love to know your thoughts and if you have been called to a slower pace this year? If you feel able, please do share in the comments.

Thank you for being here,

If you would like to support my work, you can buy me a coffee following this link!

You can buy your very own Slow Living, Book Lovers and Writing inspired Merch designed by me! Do follow the link to take a look (hosted by Teemill):

My Teemill Clothing Store!

If you enjoyed this post, found it useful or want to help me spread the word about how enriching Slow & Gentle Living can be, please do like/leave a comment or share/restack to help others discover Generosity of Spirit. Thank you for reading!