Nowadays everything is faster, better, and more efficient. While advancements in technology are always good for productivity, has anyone really stopped to think that maybe all this speed isn’t good for our psyche? How can you enjoy life when you are responding to emails at dinner and tweeting in the shower? We find our selves comparing lives with everyone else and striving to capture “success” even if it means getting 3 hours of sleep and never seeing our families. Is this healthy?
It is proven that stress is the worst thing we can do to our bodies. It can lead to heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, and can make existing ailments much worse. This is all because of our overloaded lifestyle – something we are completely in control of. Why are we risking our lives to be better, faster, and more successful? The movers and shakers behind the Slow Movement think this is a serious problem and are trying hard to spread the word that a slow and steady lifestyle is really good for you and the rest of the world!
What is the Slow Movement?
The Slow Movement addresses the issue of “time poverty”. They wish to re-establish the connection between human beings, their food, and their environment. Too often are people detached from each other and the world around them because they are so tied up in busy lifestyles and the demands of modern society. The Slow Movement aims to bring people back to a traditional way of doing things, and in turn create a sustainable, happier and healthier society. To get super in depth information on the slow movement check out the website.
Ways to embrace the Slow Movement
Buy Local – Try your best to buy your food, clothing, beauty products from local, small business owners. Buying local food supports your town’s economy and also reinforces the need for healthy food. If you don’t have any noteworthy creators in your area, buy clothes or beauty products from vintage shops or sites like Etsy.
Enjoy Your Food – You know all that local, organic, vegan food you just bought? You put a lot of thought into all of that! Enjoy it! Invite friends and loved ones over for dinner and take your time enjoying the creative cooking and preparing process. Eat SLOWLY, taste the flavors and appreciate every bite. This is what keeps you alive!
Do Less – Well…yeah! Really evaluate your to-do list. Do you HAVE to do all of that? Is there anything you can delegate, find a more efficient way to complete, or completely eliminate? Write down the things you spend most of your day doing, then write down the things you would rather be doing. Try to flip that list around. Be as creative as possible. For example: figure out a way to make money reading books all day. This is your life – live it your way!
Love Thy Neighbor – Get to know the people who you see every day, but never take a moment to talk to. There can be some pretty amazing individuals right under your nose. Have a dinner party and invite some neighbors, or strike up a conversation in your regular coffee shop.
Talk Less, Listen More – If there is one thing that everyone likes, it is the sound of their own voice. We all talk and share every second of our lives via social networking, but do we listen or care about what anyone else has to say? Learn to shut your mouth and that little voice in your brain and listen to what others say with no judgement. You will learn a whole lot.
For more info on the Slow Movement check out:
Slowmovement.com
Slow Planet
Slow Food
Slow Food USA
Wikipedia
This Great CNN Article
*image by .: Philipp Klinger :.
Love your blog and really am enjoying your focus on the different decades but had to stop by and comment on this great topic – you write about it so well! I truly identify with what you are talking about. I’m a bit of a ludite but even I find it hard to be really present – to immerse myself in the moment.
I love how food can stop you and really pull you in – to a taste, to a smell, to something unexpectedly delicious – some wonderful combination that plays so well against the other.
Have you ever read Dana Velden’s posts from the kitchen – she really blends the art/act of being present and the connection with food. She’s not vegan mind you (so be warned – she has a post on butchering) but she comes from a buddhist background so she really grounds herself with the basic love for food, cooking and a hearth.
Thank you so much for your input! I’m so glad you liked this post. Slowing down is something I’m very passionate about, mostly because it is something that I have a very hard time doing. I do love how food can aid in achieving peace and presence as well.
I have not read Dana Velden’s posts, but I will! Just checked some out and I’m intrigued. I try not to limit myself to just vegan reads and I respect anyone who respects their food!