When I first became interested in slow or intentional living, I had a very idyllic idea of what that might look like. Waking up with the sun, reading while drinking my morning latte, taking my dog for a leisurely stroll, working from 9-5, and then having a quiet evening with candles, a home-cooked meal, and a soundtrack of vinyl. A closet full of ethical clothing brands and a fridge full of organic produce. Weekends spent hiking and thrifting. I followed Instagram accounts and blogs that made this version of life seem totally possible.
Over time, I began to wonder if that kind of life was truly possible in a society that celebrates hustle culture and always doing more. Can I really excel in my career and still have clear boundaries between working hours and the rest of my time? Can I be a slow living advocate but also use plastic or buy brand new clothes? What do I really want my life to look like?
I’m slowly coming to terms with the fact that there is no one way to live thoughtfully and consciously. Some days will be quiet and peaceful, filled with nature and soul-nourishing moments. Other days I will spend 10 hours staring at a screen, order takeout, and be in bed at 9:30. Life has seasons. What I want, need, and can realistically achieve will ebb and flow over time.
At the same time, the only way to move toward a slower way of living is to truly be intentional about it. If I really want to have some time to myself before starting my work day, I have to commit to getting up earlier. If it is important to me to spend more time in nature, I need to make a point to get out for a weekend hike when it would be easier to just stay home. There are small things I can do to move the needle in the right direction, bit by bit. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing, but I do have to do something.
Featured Photo by Jake Melara on Unsplash
