Two years ago, I had the stroke of luck that many would die for in this inflated economy. I secured an esteemed, highly-remunerated position at a Fortune 500 company. The catch? Being chained to the computer.

As I suddenly went from being an independent worker to a full-time employee, I was appalled to find myself lacking the time to indulge in the small comforts that are vital to my everyday functioning and well-being. Exercising, cooking a hearty breakfast, sitting down with my journal and a hot drink, meal-planning for the day, working on my book, and even tending to my plants—all replaced by a meaningless sense of rush and an endless stream of meetings. My rhythm was destroyed, my sanity threatened.

I broke down at the end of the first day.

On the third day, I resigned.

When the courier person came to collect the company-provided laptop and peripherals the following day, I felt a weight being taken off my chest.

Some would deem my action as utter foolishness, particularly within a societal context where our self-worth is often tied to our professional success. But for me, it was a defining moment that made me aware of my priorities and led to a shocking discovery— that the concept of slow living is not just another millennial fad- it is my very lifestyle.

Stop and reassess

Slow living was never a carefully-crafted habit for me— it has been my way of life for all of my adult years, possibly because I am an apex homebody. I can spend days and weeks in my world without the need for company. Aiding this lifestyle is my remote, flexible, mostly solitary occupation that brings me decent earnings while sparing me enough time for everyday joys and pleasures. While I understand that not everyone is a homebody or fortunate enough to work at their own pace and time, it is always possible to turn to a slow life with a simple step — stopping and reassessing your priorities, values, and aspirations.

Contrary to what is depicted on social media, slow living is not about having a picture-perfect house or strolling in a garden. It is about cultivating a harmonious equilibrium that encompasses personal well-being, interpersonal relationships, and alignment with our inner peace. The essence of a slow life is to disengage from the relentless pace of the modern world and focus on forging meaningful connections, discovering what makes your heart sing, and taking the time to reflect and look within.

In a world inundated with an abundance of distractions, slow living advocates for a deliberate and mindful approach to life, fostering a heightened appreciation for the present moment and a deeper sense of gratification. It provides stillness, and in the stillness we learn to see that not everything has to make sense at this moment. Stillness helps us recentre, releasing the regrets of the past and the worries of the future and simply existing in the present. It is healing and calming for the soul burdened by worldly demands and expectations.

Slow living is a counterbalance to the world that glorifies busyness—an invitation to halt, contemplate, savour the present moment, and appreciate the beauty in simplicity

Minimalism is the key to mindfulness

We live in a consumerist society that tricks us into believing that physical things will bring us ultimate happiness. But slow living necessitates streamlining, which entails eliminating excess from both our surroundings and our thoughts, relinquishing superfluous obligations, and directing our attention towards what is truly valuable.

Clutter creates chaos. You do not need the latest gadgets or the trendiest clothes or twenty pairs of shoes to feel fulfilled. You do not need social media to feel validated. You are enough. What you have is enough. Simplicity gives us mental clarity and the breathing room necessary for wholeheartedly embracing the present. And from there comes mindfulness.

The ability to be fully present in each activity we undertake is what mindfulness is all about. Slow living encourages us to immerse ourselves in the experience of our current activity, without being reactive or overwhelmed. By doing so, we can derive more pleasure and fulfillment from even the simplest of activities.

Find your happy place

An essential aspect of slow living is to spend meaningful time at home, because regardless of where we go or what we do, our home is usually our sanctuary.

Growing up, my happy place was the window seat in my room from where I could watch the world outside or enjoy the rain while immersed in a book or a journal. Even on the worst day, the very thought of going home to my window nook would help me perk up.

Today, I find my happy place in various little activities — starting my morning with a page of journalling, ending my day with a half hour of piano playing, waltzing around the living room to Albinoni’s Opus 5, reading a vintage thriller or watching an enthralling documentary on a cold, rainy evening, cooking a wholesome dinner while singing opera, working on a project while Kenny G plays in the background, or taking a long walk through leafy, meandering lanes and alleys, absorbing the sights and sounds while the city passes me by.

Your happy place is something money cannot buy. Find it and revel in it, and let no one take it away.

Our society places great value on efficiency and output, and the concept of slow living is a perfect counterbalance— an invitation to halt, contemplate, and align with our values and innermost aspirations. It proffers an opportunity to embrace the present, derive delight from the small joys and comforts, and foster a sense of tranquility and fulfillment.

A slow life is a voyage of rediscovering the simplicity and elegance of equipoise and minimalism, and I am a happy voyager, blessed to have embraced a gentle, peaceful lifestyle free from superficial clutter.