Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Living Slow




We have been working for a few years now to slow our life down, to live close to the earth and her seasons and to live life on our own terms. We are succeeding on some level and yet, we still feel like we could slow down more, do less and connect more deeply to the moment we are experiencing right now.

We know we are different. We know what we dream of, the slowness of a life lived in tune with the seasons, is not for everyone. We are okay with that. In fact, most days we are not aware of just how different we are. We are fortunate to have a community of wonderful, like minded people who are on the same path and we share many adventures with them.

On Sunday when we traveled into the city for a little birthday celebration for my dad, both Justin and I were keenly aware of just how different we are and how slow our lives have really became. I do travel into the city pretty regularly, but those visits usually revolve around visiting friends at their home or a trip to the farmers market, both places where people who share our views are present, but on Sunday we were in the heart of the city.

All around us people were rushing to get somewhere. Walking fast, headphones on, eyes straight ahead, there was no time for eye contact, let alone a smile or a hello. People were too busy to hold a door, too tied up in a phone call to connect with the person right in front of them or had their face in a screen totally disconnected from what was going on around them. I heard people rushing little ones along, taking them right out of the moment and into the rush of the adult world.

It has taken me a few days to really pinpoint what I was feeling during our day in the city, and yesterday I mentioned it to Justin, and he got it. He understood exactly what I was feeling, because he too felt it. So, yet again, we realize we are different. Different from what many people consider normal in their busy days.

And we are okay with it. We enjoy living slow in our little corner of the world and we are happy we have found people to share this life with. People who appreciate the slowness of life, who enjoy the moments as they come and who join us in celebrating the little things.

26 comments:

  1. nothing wrong with that. I feel energized with nature around me and I feel drained with urban noise-I can't remember a time when I wasn't!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is amazing what nature can do for us :)

      Delete
  2. Slow and simple...we all need a lot more of these.

    I like visiting cities (especially ones I like), but I don't think I could live in one either. I am so used to stopping, saying hello and chatting to people here in our little village, there are times I do that in the bigger towns/cities and I get strange looks! Oh well - it's kinda fun, though...guerilla greetings! Hahah!

    There is room for all of us and it's good to be different :) Celebrate it :)

    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Renee, I will! I am the same, visiting the big city is great, but I am so happy to come home to the country at the end of the day.

      Delete
  3. Our days are becoming so much slower too. With nature put into the mix we just about lazy around all day.

    You have a beautiful life Kim. Just stick too it!

    ReplyDelete
  4. We are different too, and like you said, it is ok. Sometimes, it is hard, when we travel into Ottawa and see friends whose children are doing this and that and they are traveling and doing this activity and a concert today, festival tomorrow, and I feel bad that we say no to too much. I feel sometimes like we aren't doing enough. Of course, then I get home and realize we are doing what WE need, not what everyone expects us to do and that is just fine with us. So looking forward to a slow day with you 2 in a few weeks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think that is key, we are all different and we need to do what is right for each of us and our families.

      I am looking forward to our day together too...only two more weeks :)

      Delete
  5. I always try and remind myself to slow down... sometimes it's hard to remember!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It can be, but once you are in the mode it is pretty easy to stay there.

      Delete
  6. Sometimes hard to do but so important to slow down... we need it absolutely for us and with our children... I do agree totally with you!

    ReplyDelete
  7. We are working at this, too. It feels like such a constant effort. How does life get so cluttered and busy so quickly? Seems that when we making a conscious choice to slow down and ease up, we are all more at peace. Need to work on it some more right now. Glad it has been a good thing for our family. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think you hit the nail on the head...a conscious choice. Life will continue to bombard us unless we make the choice to change that. Obviously that choice is not right for everyone, but for us it is. Good luck on your journey.

      Delete
  8. slowing down in the city can be hard. the culture of it seems to say go big and fast or you don't matter. right now, i am in the city and trying to live against that current. it's a learning curve.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I can definitely see that being a problem. Big and fast was definitely my impression on Sunday. I think if I had to live in the city, I would be searching out my special places in nature where I could connect to myself and the earth. I would go regularly to remind myself to slow down in the fast paced life of the city.

      Good luck!

      Delete
  9. I wouldn't want to live any other way. Glad you are content and enjoying this life Kim.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I avoid going town, at all cost. It's only 15 minutes away but seems much farther, on several different levels. A big yes to living slowly.

    ReplyDelete
  11. It's such a good reminder to feel confident in the life you choose - whatever that may be.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I need a little reminder every once in awhile :)

      Delete
  12. Phew.. do I ever resonate with what you wrote. We live very close to the wilderness, and once a week we have to go to town, which is more than one hour away (round trip). Every once in a while, we have to go to the big city (Seattle), and that is a crazy, overload kind of trip.
    We always return to our homestead eager to sit by the river, or weed the garden, or milk the goats, with nothing but happy childrens' laughter and bird sounds around, instead of city noises!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh I totally agree. The peace, calm and pure joy that comes from being at home is amazing!

      Delete
  13. I love this, Kim. And may I just say, you seem un-hurried, in your posts and even your comments. You exude calm and a sense of being grounded and sure of who you are... and I'm sure it is because of your conscious choices each day to slow down. Thank you for the inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow, thank you Sarah, your words mean so much to me.

      Delete