Unlock slow, gentle magic every day

Gratitude sweetens even the smallest of moments...

Welcome to Generosity of Spirit, a space to share my slow and gentle living philosophy - alongside my love of plant based living and food. Please do subscribe to join me on this gentle journey of discovery.

Owl Lodge. North Wales.

I snuggle under a fluffy blanket and put my freshly brewed cup of tea down next to me. I grab my laptop to start writing.  A lavender candle flicks in the corner of my eye. The wind is gently shaking the leaves of the trees outside. I can hear birds singing to each other, and every now and then a chicken, goat or sheep will join in. The rolling green fields outside the window seem to hug the ground and stretch out as far as the eye can see. Owl Lodge is in the middle of nowhere in North Wales. We are surrounded by peace and quiet and the gentle hum of nature.

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Truly relaxing and slowing down is increasingly difficult in our always-on digital world. Our demanding lives and general hustle culture have many of us caught in a hamster wheel- the days, weeks, months fly by as we go through the motions. We book holidays and breaks and use them as a motivator to ‘put up with’ the stresses of life and work. We hope that our temporary holiday will melt away all our stress and leave us feeling rested, re-charged, and inspired ready to dive back into the rat race again. And of course sometimes they do, a good holiday can feel like magic.

The problem with a holiday is, it doesn’t last. We force ourselves to relax and by the time we finally manage to switch off, it’s time to go home again.

Slowing down is the real holiday we all need.

But - can we really make every day feel like a holiday? And is slow and gentle living the key to unlocking this magic?

If being on holiday can be seen as a state of mind, an opportunity to recharge ourselves psychologically and spiritually - that means we don’t actually have to go anywhere to experience it. We just have to learn how to slow down to unlock that ‘holiday’ vibe, and the freedom and inspiration that comes with it.

Hustle culture uses speed and how much you can gain as a measure of performance and success. How fast can you get out of the door in the morning? How much work can you cram into your working day? How much housework can you fit in after work before dinner? If you’re not achieving something every day, are you even being productive? This harmful mindset results in overwhelm, and the real danger of missing your own life as it speeds past you.

Modern society is consumer driven and sees success through a very narrow lens – it can feel all about gain, comparison, and an insatiable need to do more, have more and be better. Being grateful often falls by the wayside, as we focus on what we don’t have.

When we focus on gain and speed, we blindly follow a path dictated by others, or one that seems the most obvious and accepted. We push ourselves hard. We constantly live for our future plans; I’ll rest at the weekend or I’ll be fine when I’ve had my holiday or bought the latest craze product.

There’s a balance to be had, between achieving and working, and resting and being at peace. When we don’t acknowledge that balance, we harm ourselves because we’re in overdrive.

Slowing down allows us to be more intentional when making decisions, living our lives, and achieving our goals. But it also opens the door to the magic of everyday living through the practice of gratitude. As you slow down and notice what you have around you- even the simple things- that ‘holiday vibe’ can creep into every day. Since I have adopted slow and gentle living, I have noticed a huge increase in my confidence, motivation, productivity as well as my inner peace, calm and gratitude.

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A Simple Beautiful Life

“I make myself rich by making my wants few.” Henry David Thoreau

When you are content with who you are and what you have, life becomes a whole lot simpler. Contentment frees you of comparison and consumerism, shifting your focus from acquiring to enjoying. In being truly grateful for what you have - you tune into the magic of the ordinary.

My Husband and I live in a small home in the city. It isn’t tiny, but it isn’t big- and we love it. We often get asked by family and friends if we are ever going to move to a bigger house – but we know we have everything we need. If we bought a bigger house, we would simply buy more stuff to fill it. We have a beautiful, simple life and we have more than enough.

Leading with gratitude has been such a shift in mindset for me.

Gratitude grounds you in the present moment. If we’re constantly focused on our next purchase or wishing things were different, then it’s difficult to appreciate what you have in the present moment. Gratitude also erases comparison. When we’re content with what we have and who we are, we stop striving to have what someone else does or be like someone else. When comparison ceases- kindness and calm thrive. When we’re not trying to be like others, we begin living in line with our values and so living authentically happens more easily.

Gratitude – Journal Prompts:

What’s a simple pleasure that you’re grateful for?

Look around the room and write about everything you see that you’re grateful for.

Make a list of 10 things you’re thankful for that you normally wouldn’t think twice about.

What are three things that make you feel like you?

Reflect on a peaceful moment or a place where you feel calm and at ease.

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Live the life you have…

“Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realise there is nothing lacking the whole world belongs to you.” Lao-Tzu

So, what got me thinking about all of this today whilst on holiday with my Husband in North Wales?

My Husband and I live and work in a city, so when we go on holiday, we often choose a rural location so we can immerse ourselves in nature and the slow calm of the countryside. This week has been beautiful – we have stayed in a beautiful lodge in the middle of the countryside, we walked (well … climbed!) up Mount Snowdon, we have cooked yummy vegan food, we’ve had long talks about life, our dreams and goals, I’ve read books, written every day, listened to music, enjoyed some wine … we’ve moved slowly and gently.

I asked myself, what did I do while away, that’s different to ‘every day’?

When you think about it, nothing I did was extravagant (WELL, maybe climbing Mount Snowdon!!!).

I realised this week… with the exception of course of the beautiful surroundings and the experiences we have enjoyed – the heart of this holiday, the spirit, is not at all dissimilar to how I choose to live every day. I was looking forward to this break, particularly to get into nature, but I wasn’t desperate to escape my life.

This holiday has shown me how gratitude, alongside slow and gentle living has really seeped into everything I am, and everything I do.

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Tips to bring the holiday feeling into your everyday life:

• Get outside and explore. Even if you just go for a walk and just wander with no agenda or plan.

• Cook slowly. Put on your favourite playlist and get into the kitchen. Enjoy the process of cooking and eating (with no distractions).

• Instead of just putting the TV on after dinner, plan an evening whether it is going out or having a movie night.

• Spend time creating a relaxing ambience at home. Buy some fresh flowers, soften your lighting, light a candle or put on some incense.

• Digital detox, try and spend a day away from screens - your mobile, TV and computer.

• Do something new… crafts, painting, drawing, photography.

• Practice gratitude every day. There is always something we can feel thankful for and it is really powerful grounding work.

• Break routine where you can. Why not go out for a meal, coffee or drinks just because!

Slow and gentle living really can unlock the magic in your everyday life. It encourages gratitude that breeds contentment and with-it peace and calm.

Can you see how you can harness a ‘holiday vibe’ in your everyday life? Why not begin by practicing gratitude today?

Until next time, have a slow and gentle week.

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