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One of the things I have noticed over the years while cultivating a slower way of life is the added pleasure I receive from somewhat mundane things. In our modern life we are encouraged to always strive for more, do more, have more and become more but this does not equate to happiness for most of us! When you slow down, normal things in the everyday become so satisfying and pleasurable. These are just some of the pleasures I experience living this type of life. I hope you can experience these too!
1.Clean Sheets.
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I am not suggesting that only people who live consciously clean their bedding! But, I remember a time when my life was so busy that I did not have the mental space to fully appreciate the feel and the smell of freshly washed sheets that were dried in the sun. Today this is a great source of pleasure for me. It is a routine of washing, drying and making the bed all the while anticipating slipping into that bed later that evening and drifting off to sleep with the sweet smell of line dried sheets. Truly it takes me back to a time in my childhood that I felt safe and cared for. Smells and sensations can have a deep impact on our psyche and when you engage in a slow way of life these pleasures magnify.
2.Fragrant Soap. Much like the sensation of clean sheets, using a fragrant soap (whether store bought or homemade) can be a delight for the senses. I am a big advocate for frugality and only spending money on items that add value to your life but it is my opinion that using a soap that feels and smell wonderful is totally worth the splurge! I often change the fragrance of the soap I use so that I avoid becoming nose blind to any one scent. This way I can fully enjoy the scent! At times I make my own creations but I also often buy soaps from small crafters. Soap making is very popular at the moment and it is usually easy to find many wonderful options.
3.A Slow Morning.
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I have never been the type of person who could jump into my day upon rising so I guess a slow morning is something I have always done. At this point in my life I am so aware of the gift of this slow morning routine of mine. Starting your day with a little bit of space helps to set the stage for the rest of your day. It is much like a snowball effect. You have the space to set intentions for your day, to focus on what is really important and to maybe feed your soul just a little (or a lot!) before your day starts rolling. As a rule I wake a bit early so that I am guaranteed the time I need to foster this habit.
4.Good Food.
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I am sure we are all guilty of mindless eating from time to time. The busier one’s life the more this tends to happen. Slow living helps to foster slow eating. Creating schedules for meals and carving out time to sit and enjoy your food with your loved ones changes your relationship with and to food for the better. What I have noticed is that the longer that this becomes a habitual way of eating for me the better food tastes, even plain and simple foods. I even engage differently when cooking and preparing the foods we eat! I used to dread cooking and meal planning but now I look forward to the time I spend in the kitchen in part due to the anticipation of enjoying the food later.
5.Time Spent with Family. There was a time in my life that was so far from Slow Living that it is laughable. At this time I had so much on my plate and did not know that slowing down was an option. I was living in a state of survival! I remember feeling as if I had so little to give to my loved ones and feeling that I missed out on time I could never get back. Over the years I have learned from this crazy period of my life. My life is so different now and I make sure to prioritise time spent with my loved ones. We don’t have to be doing anything special, but I fully engage in the time we have together. I am so aware of how lucky I am to have such wonderful people in my life!
6.Time Spent in Nature.
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This one has taken some work for me. Intentionally going outside just to spend time in nature did not come naturally to me. I love to putter in my home and I could always think of something productive I could be doing inside. What I have learned though, is that when you spend time outside you can’t help but notice how abundant the world is. You see that everything happens in its own time and that nature works in perfect harmony. Slowing down allows you to truly stop and smell the roses. Here in Nova Scotia where I live we have the pleasure of experiencing the full four seasons. Every season has its gifts and its challenges and spending time outside allows one to fully appreciate both. I love how I feel when I spend time in nature, it fuels both my body and my soul.
7. Entering the Flow State. In order to create, one needs both the time and the mental space. Living a slower-paced life opens up both which allows for the creative juices to flow. I often get lost in my creative endeavours now. I so fully engage in whatever I am working on that I lose track of time and everything else going on around me. It is such an amazing experience! Slow living really helps to cultivate this state. When you have time to create or fully engage in whatever it is you are doing you can enter this state with much more ease.
Although these are just a few of the small pleasures I experience living a slow paced life, they truly have a huge impact on my quality of life. We would love to hear the small things that you take pleasure in! Please let us know in the comments below!
With Love, Ellen