The Long Way Home
The cost of a thing is the amount of life which is required to be exchanged for it.
–Henry David Thoreau
What is slow living?
Simply stated: It is finding peace in the unfolding of the present moment.
Slow living looks different for everyone. For me, intentionality holds precedence when choosing to live slowly. I’ve grown accustomed to living in such a fast paced society, that when I’m given the opportunity to slow down, it almost seems unnatural. I had to stop and think, “when was the last time you ate in silence and truly savored your meal, when was the last time you were fully present with someone, how do you feel when you give your full attention to the moment at hand, how often do you give your full attention to a moment?”.
Sometime in June, I was given no choice but to pay attention to all of the excess external stimuli and how it affected what I gave my energy to + how that made me feel. For example, about a month ago, I began eating in silence: no tv, no other person, no music, nothing. Just me, food and silence. What I noticed was how uncomfortable I instantly became. So I decided to continue doing this until I became not only comfortable but eager to be in stillness with myself. Throughout that time, I noticed certain patterns of subconscious thought that began to grow louder the more present I became. I believe that was the source of discomfort; not wanting to come face to face with whatever was wanting to make its way to the surface. Perhaps this is why a lot of people choose to live in the fast paced way society promotes. Because once you do slow down, you automatically provide space for things within to have a voice. Though choosing to live in awareness can initially be overwhelming or uncomfortable, I believe it is equally pivotal for personal and collective evolution. Slowing down allows one to find their way back home to themselves. To their center. I just so happen to choose the long way home sometimes.
Within this blog space, I will be sharing ways I choose to practice slow living. Whether it be traveling, writing, cooking, sharing my routines, creating, etc. All of these moments, these activities, invite me to the present moment. They invite me to meet more of myself. To unfold, uncover, unlearn. To embrace life in all of its glory and gloom. To hold joy through it all. To truly understand these words of wisdom:
If you surrendered to the air, you could ride it.
— Toni Morrison
