The Concept Of Slow Living Opposing “Time Poverty”
It’s an irony of our modern lives that while technology is constantly invented that saves us time, we use that time to do more and more things, and so our lives are more fast-paced and frenzied than ever. Life moves at such a fast pace that it seems to pass us by before we can really enjoy it. However, it really doesn’t have to be this way. Maybe it’s time to leave a frantic lifestyle behind and slow down a bit and enjoy life.
Bad thing is that a fast rhythm gets easily under your skin. It influences your subconscious. Makes you do things faster than you would inherently do. A slower-paced life means making time to enjoy your mornings, instead of speeding off to work in a frenzy. It means taking time to enjoy whatever you’re doing, to enjoy the outdoors, to actually focus on whoever you’re talking to or spending time with — instead of always being online, instead of always thinking about work tasks and emails. It means single-tasking instead than switching between a multitude of tasks and focusing on none of them.
Slowing Down Is A Conscious Choice
Slowing down is a conscious choice, and not always an easy one, but it leads to a greater appreciation for life and a greater level of happiness.
The statistics are clear. Many face mental health challenges or know someone who does. Stress about kids. Aging parents. Conflict in relationships. No one is immune from emotional or relational challenges.
Slow living denies that being busy equates to being successful or important. It means being present and at the moment, it celebrates quality over quantity, living with purpose, and being conscious and considered. To adopt a quieter mindset is to switch off autopilot and make space for reflection and self-awareness.
Slow Living - Better Living
Any change and challenge can throw us off our rhythm. Any threat to well-being or balance in any one of these aspects of our lives can disrupt our rhythm, the flow of life:
- Work
- Relationships
- Physical health
- Emotions
- Thoughts
- Spirituality
Honesty with ourselves, openness to change, and patience help us to be healthy with ourselves and with others. Sometimes the causes of the disruption in our life rhythm are deeper, cumulative, and longer term. There is always time to re-set, re-calibrate, pause, and think about how we want to live.
Living Under Constant Pressure Is Not Healthy
When problems persist over time and are intense enough to impact our daily functioning, counseling may be beneficial. When we experience sadness, anxiety, or another mental illness, we must be open to seeing a counselor just as we must be open to seeing a physician when we are physically unwell. Mental health is just as crucial as physical health.
We all have patterns that are just that—habits. But we really don’t have to do those things. Examples are getting a manicure, going to the solarium, ironing, shopping, watching TV, browsing the internet, smoking, and so forth. We can save time and money by cutting these out, and many of these habits are also bad for our health. Ask yourself some simple questions: Do I really have to do this? How can I skip this task/step/activity if I don’t like it?
Living under artificial time coercion causes a myriad of psychological, social, and physical ailments.
Mental health has many aspects that include mind, body, and spirit. What can you do today to be grateful, to enjoy the moment, and to ensure you’re going at a pace at which you can reach your potential and find meaning, purpose, and happiness?
