Slow living has been widely discussed on social media after Indonesian artist, Lulu Tobing, admitted to living his life slow living. Actually, what is slow living?
Reporting from The Minimalist Vegan, show living is a relaxed lifestyle by taking the time to enjoy every moment in life. Meanwhile, according to The Good Trade, slow living is a lifestyle that emphasizes a slower and more careful approach in every aspect of daily life.
“The main tenet of the slow philosophy is to take the time to do the right thing and enjoy it,” said Carl Honore in his 2004 book In Praise of Slowness.
So, how to enjoy life by implementing slow living?
Quoted from CNBC Indonesia, here are five ways to implement slow living so that your mental health is well maintained.
1. Using Items Wisely
Illustration of a woman choosing a dress/Photo: Pexels/Liza summer
Using things wisely is one of the main keys in slow living. Writer Myung Sung said the characteristics of people who practice slow living are those who buy high-quality, sustainable goods, especially from thrift stores for clothes and furniture.
To implement a slow living lifestyle, you need to think ahead about the quality and function of the items that you will use for a long time. People who adopt this lifestyle also generally avoid fast food, because in the long term, these foods can have a negative effect on their body.
2. Minimalist Life
Illustration of a woman holding a pen and wearing headphones/Photo: Pexels/Ivan samkov
A minimalist life can minimize the amount of focus in life, because we only focus on something that has long-term benefits. By reducing the number of items you own, you can simplify your daily activities and focus on more important things.
For example, if you have a lot of stuff, it will take you a long time to clean it up. Just imagine if you have few things, then you can use more time for other activities such as sports, traveling, listening to music or reading books.
Minimalist life also gives you more time to experience precious moments with loved ones such as friends and family.
3. Start the Day Casually
Meditating woman illustration/Photo: Pixabay/460307
Some people feel that 24 hours in a day is not enough, so they start their day in a hurry. In fact, starting the day in a hurry makes someone more easily stressed and impatient.
To avoid stress, you can start the day with a relaxed and calm routine, such as enjoying your favorite coffee, favorite food or taking the time to exercise and meditate.
4. Dare to Say ‘No’
Illustration of a hand holding the inscription NO/Photo: Pexels/Vie studio
Being an unpleasant person or also known as a people pleaser is not good for mental health because it causes inner conflict, loss of identity, fatigue and stress.
Dare to say “no” to things you don’t want is one way to live a slow living. By saying no, you are protecting valuable time for yourself because you are in control of yourself.
Put boundaries and control over yourself, so you have room for your family, yourself and other valuable things instead of following everyone else’s whims.
5. Respect Yourself
Illustration of a woman tossing her hair and smiling/Photo: Pexels/Vinicius wiesehofer
Taking time and taking care of yourself is the main thing in slow living. Instead of agreeing to every other person’s invitation or wish, you can use the time to respect yourself more or pamper yourself by going to the spa, reading books, watching movies or cooking your favorite food.
Don’t forget to give yourself positive praise and affirmations to increase motivation, self-confidence, and overall well-being.
By implementing slow living, you can improve your mental health and avoid people who have the potential to harm you. Remember, you are in control and responsible for yourself.
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