With Denver being one of the fastest growing cities in the country, it might be difficult to conceive of how to slow down as the pace quickens here.
Many of my readers know that I love the outdoors and photographing families in nature. This to me is a part of this Slow Living Movement.
I came across this concept when I was listening to the radio last week and a story came on about young couples and parents wanting to take life slower, to leave the Pinterest lifestyle and carve a more meaningful path.
I was so fascinated about these perceptions that I had to learn more.
In 2004, Carl Honoré wrote “In Praise of Slow.” This book speaks in depth about how cultures around the world have adapted to a busy life that implies importance, and value. When in reality, it is an illusion and possibly an escape from the reality that we’ve created.
With reality shows like Marie Kondo on creating a more simple life, I guess I’m not surprised to see this as a trend. The more I did research on it though, it’s much more than throwing away the things that have lost meaning for you.
What Is Slow Living?
It took me a minute in my research to get past the pretty pictures of people walking on the beach barefoot, the yoga/meditation/spa images, or the rocks perfectly placed to create a zen space. None of that is really new.
So, what is this really?
There’s a part of all of us that wants that feeling of serenity. If you go to a yoga class that is focused on relaxation-not the power class that leaves you drenched and exhausted, the instructor might talk about how to carry the connection you created to yourself off the mat and into your life.
How many of us are able to do that? It takes A LOT of practice to achieve that with what is expected of us by our families, employers, clients, friends, social media, etc.... Not to mention what we end up expecting of ourselves.
I think this is where the “Pinterest Mom” comment comes in.
There’s this idea that you need to be super creative, design your own birthday cakes, have a simple and elegant home, and build a masterpiece dollhouse out of egg cartons and toilet paper rolls.
Don’t get me wrong, Pinterest is a happy place for me. I find so many creative ideas and solutions to things that I don’t know I ever would have found otherwise.
But like most social media platforms, it’s a time suck and can drive anyone down Comparison Alley, which is why this Slow Movement concept is pointing it out.
What’s Important to YOU
Part of the Slow Living Movement is remembering what’s important, what’s essential to your own peace of mind, and then sticking to it. The sticking to it part seems to need a little more...hmm...dare I say “sticky?”
What’s important to you may not be important to your parents. It may not be important to your neighbor. In fact, it may not be important to your spouse.
The more clarity you have on what is important to YOU, the more you can say no to the things that are not. And that’s when it begins to stick.
This gets a little interesting, as we’ve become a society bent on impressing others and living up to the images we see in the media. From the chaos and skewed connection of reality TV to the perfection of what people share on social media, many people aren’t really clear about what’s important to them.
We’re driven by “likes” and comments, positive algorithms that boost our business or level of acceptance. The massive dopamine hit that has created a social media addiction pushes us away from authenticity and veers us away from even knowing who we really want to be.
I recently heard a podcast with Jamie Kern Lima and she stated in so many words that “You can’t fake authenticity. People know, they’re not dumb.”
If you feel like you’ve lost touch with yourself, you can ask your closest friends for feedback. The people who have known you for decades, and they’ll let you know what they see as your core traits. Knowing this can bring you back “home.”
Another way to know what’s important to you is to notice your emotions. When you feel disappointment, enthusiasm, anticipation, loss, guilt, or shame, these emotions are triggers that let you know you are either in or out of alignment with yourself.
Really any emotional response can guide you. Notice when you’re acting from fear, desperation, or worry and it’s related to something that has no bearing on your safety, conection, and ability to love. Unless of course, you choose to live in fear and want that!! Remember that blog way back in April when we talked about our emotional cups and how to fill them?
Notice how you’re responding to the current political climate, the choices you’re making, the choices others are making, and what comes up for you in that. You are the only one you have control over. So, what choices can you make that support you in feeling empowered?
This is slow living. Knowing your truths and what actions empower you to live in them.
Information Intake
Empowerment comes in other ways as well. Consider where and how often you get information that guides your decisions.
How much time do you spend on social media? Is that guy on YouTube in alignment with your values? Do you question what they said?
Do you spend hours a day on Facebook or Instagram? When was the last time you checked how often you opened your phone?
The amount of input we take in has a direct effect on the pace of our living. Ever notice when you’re in a state of flow that you’re not taking in any outside input? Social media isn’t even a thought because your brain is fully engaged in a task, the challenge is sweet enough that you’re being challenged, and time disappears.
When you’re in flow, slow living happens naturally. Ask yourself how you can create more opportunities for this state to happen in your life.
It may mean no devices around, or they’re turned off. If you listen to music, it doesn’t engage your mind in a way that distracts. You’re not listening to a podcast while you’re doing something that needs your focus.
You aren’t multitasking. WHAT?!?! Yup...it’s being shown more and more that this much desired trait by employers is actually a hindrance to productivity.
Slow down by focusing on the task at hand. Maybe have a timer nearby that keeps you focused on a task for 50 minutes, then you shift your focus to another piece.
This is great for answering emails or messages. Trust me, they can wait until the next time slot that you have set aside for a response.
Work Less
Oh. My. God. Seriously?!!
Wait!!! Before you give up on this post entirely, give this a chance and we can discuss in the comments.
Have you noticed when you go for a walk in nature (without the push to reach 10,000 steps or your heart rate up), you end up with enough space in your thoughts that the answers to the problem you’ve been stressing about the last three days comes in?
Moving your body, connecting with your family and friends, playing a game, doing something creative, are all things that can get you into a frame of mind that improves your ability to think constructively and solve problems. It also improves your performance.
So, the next time your kiddo begs you to play with them say “YES!” Even if you also say, I can play for TEN MINUTES, those ten minutes will shift your work.
One of the only times this isn’t ideal is when you’re in a state of flow with your work and they start tugging on your clothes. With all things, there’s a flip side!!
For more tips on planning your schedule and maybe, ah-hem… working less, check out my post from May about schedule planning made easy.
Space
This can mean a lot of different things, so I’m going to give a few ideas and you decide which ones work for you and come back to the others when you’re ready.
Physical space is important. Like Marie Kondo says, get rid of the clutter. This is real.
When we have a lot of things on the walls, piled on table tops or the floor, or even reminder notes strewn all over the house, our minds are constantly being distracted.
This is a lot like social media, news, and information inundating our minds. Look at your physical space and find ways to clear it out. Clean it up. And let go of the clutter.
Create more space on the floor. If you have a living room packed with furniture, what happens when you remove the coffee table and put in small side tables? It can open up a room and invite new opportunities for movement and physical play that was restricted before.
Space in your schedule is another piece. What happens when you give yourself 30-60 minutes each day with NOTHING scheduled into it?
Don’t panic!! This is where the walk in nature can happen, or the board game, or art time. Make it a rule that during this time you sit quietly and ask what your creative side wants to do. It might be a spontaneous dance party.
Who knows!? What you’re doing is giving yourself space to step out of the constant need of do-ing and find what it feels like to simply be. This level of presence gets you closer to the things that light you up inside.
When you’re lit up inside, this is an expression of self-love and when you’re filling your cup, it overflows into the lives of those around you.
This is the ultimate way to contribute to your family, friends, and even your community.
Take the time to find out what fills you up, fill your own cup, and see how much this love begins to spread. You’ll be better at managing conflict, understanding your own needs, and meeting the needs of those you love in a way that is so much bigger than you ever have before.
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I would love to hear your thoughts on this and if you do any of this already in your life. Share in the comments or send me an email at kwdesignsphoto@gmail.com
Thanks for joining in on this discovery with me!! Until next time…
Cheers!!
~Kim
This peek into Kim’s world was brought to you by Emily Kamala. Emily is a freelance writer and life coach who loves to share stories, write blogs, and experience life so fully she has to bring it to life on the page. If you’re interested in reading more of her work, you can visit: www.EmilyKamala.com
Kim Morgan has brought her passion for connecting and telling stories through photography to life. Her ability to put you and your family at ease is so palpable you don’t even realize she’s behind the camera getting those precious moments for you to carry with you many years later. She lives in Colorado with her husband, son, and dog, where they enjoy exploring the mountains and laughing at every opportunity. Her website is KWDesignsPhotography.com to see her amazing work and set up your session!