Slow Living Isn’t Always Easy Living
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In a world that moves faster with every passing day, the concept of slow living has become increasingly appealing. It's romanticized in social media reels of morning routines with hand-ground coffee, homemade bread rising on a counter, and a wardrobe of carefully curated linen dresses. But slow living isn’t synonymous with homesteading or traditional domestic roles (sometimes labeled “trad wives”). Nor is it about achieving an aesthetic ideal. Slow living is about being intentional with your time, energy, and resources. And let’s be real—it’s not always easy, especially when juggling a full-time job, family responsibilities, or the demands of modern life.
What Is Slow Living?
At its core, slow living is about pausing in a fast-paced world to intentionally savor life. It’s the practice of living in alignment with your values and focusing on what truly brings joy and fulfillment. For some, this might look like growing their own food or sewing their clothes. For others, it might be as simple as taking a moment to breathe deeply between Zoom meetings or spending a Saturday reorganizing their space to reflect a sense of calm and order.
The challenge of slow living is finding ways to integrate it into the reality of modern life, where the workweek often stretches beyond 40 hours and free time feels fleeting.
Mindful Spending
One pillar of slow living is financial intentionality. This doesn’t mean cutting yourself off from every luxury but rather thinking carefully about how and why you spend.
Low or No-Spend Challenges: Commit to a month of buying only necessities, like groceries or gas, and see how it transforms your perspective. Use the time and money saved to reflect on what truly brings joy into your life.
Using What You Have: That pantry you keep meaning to organize? Or the forgotten art supplies collecting dust? Slow living encourages us to rediscover and use what we already own instead of constantly acquiring more.
But intentionality doesn’t mean never buying something new. Sometimes, investing in a well-made item that truly aligns with your needs or values is the best choice. For instance, if you’ve been considering something linked here from one of my affiliate recommendations, know that mindful purchases—ones that improve your life or reduce waste in the long run—can absolutely fit within the ethos of slow living. Just take a moment to ask yourself, Does this support the life I’m trying to build?
Mindful spending isn’t just about saving money—it’s about reducing the mental clutter that comes with overconsumption and ensuring your purchases add true value to your life.
If you are looking for some inspiration for simplifying and living with more intention The Year of Less by Cait Flanders is a great listen while cleaning, exercising or relaxing.
Taking Care of What You Own
Slow living thrives on the principle of care—caring for your belongings, your surroundings, and yourself. Instead of rushing out to replace broken items, invest time in repairing them. Tend to your home regularly, not as a chore but as an act of love for your space. Polishing a wood table, folding your clothes with care, or even cleaning your car can feel like meditative acts when done with intention.
This principle extends beyond the physical into the realm of health and spirit. Slow living asks you to tend to yourself—whether it’s through nourishing meals, time outside, meditation, or quiet reflection.
Reclaiming Fun Without Spending
The “slow” in slow living also applies to how we entertain ourselves. In a culture that often equates fun with shopping sprees, dining out, or expensive vacations, it can feel counterintuitive to prioritize free or low-cost activities.
Spend an afternoon hiking a local trail, reading a book from the library, or baking something from scratch.
Rediscover hobbies that don’t require frequent purchases—gardening, journaling, knitting, or painting.
Plan intentional time with friends, like potluck dinners or board game nights, where connection takes center stage over consumption.
The beauty of these activities is that they cultivate fulfillment without adding financial or mental clutter.
Slowing Down to Speed Up Fulfillment
It’s easy to mistake slow living for simplicity or laziness, but this lifestyle is often anything but. It takes effort to slow down in a culture that prioritizes productivity and instant gratification. It takes time to reflect on what truly matters and to live in a way that aligns with your values.
Slow living isn’t about being idle; it’s about creating a life you don’t feel the need to escape from. A life where you feel joy in the little things—a tidy corner of your home, a well-loved pair of shoes, the quiet moments you carve out for yourself.
The Reason for Slowing Down
Ultimately, slow living isn’t the goal itself—it’s a means to an end. The reason we slow down isn’t just to move more slowly but to create a life we love. It’s about feeling fulfilled, aligned, and connected to what matters most.
So yes, slow living isn’t always easy. But the rewards—inner peace, a stronger sense of purpose, and more room for joy—make the effort worthwhile.
What small step can you take today to begin slowing down? Maybe it’s a five-minute pause, a deep breath, or a commitment to repair instead of replace. Whatever it is, know that slow living is a practice, not a destination. One mindful moment at a time, you can create a life you love.
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It’s Okay to Just Rest in January
This post may include affiliate links and I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. Mabon House only features products that I believe in and use myself or that I believe my readers would enjoy. Thank you!
Embracing the Stillness of January
I hope this finds you well and safe. Here in Western Maine, we’re in the midst of a cold snap. I’ve had a few days off and spent them tending my woodstove and relaxing. My nursing school clinicals kick off this week, marking the start of what will be a very rigorous year. I’m feeling both nervous and excited. But as I look around at the quiet of this season, I’m reminded of something important: it’s okay to just rest in January.
The Beauty of Winter’s Quiet
Outside, winter is on full display in all its icy beauty. The sky alternates between a brilliant blue and layers of white and gray clouds. The friendly, puffy clouds of summer have been replaced by sweeping, gray-blue stretches, giving everything a quiet, muted tone. The trees in my gardens stand in solemn observance of the season. Yesterday, a cold wind blew through, making the trees creak and sway. Ice and snow packed tightly on the ground crunch underfoot. Everything feels slower, quieter, and still—a perfect reflection of what January invites us to embrace.
Why January Isn’t Always the Best Time for Resolutions
I’ve always marveled at people who dive headfirst into new routines at the start of the year. The energy to set ambitious resolutions, to jump straight into productivity, can feel at odds with the rhythm of winter. For me, this time of year feels more like an opportunity to refresh my spaces, tidy up, and start thinking about the coming growing season—but not to dive into action just yet. January calls for something different: rest and reflection.
The Influence of Capitalism on New Year’s Resolutions
The push for New Year’s resolutions often feels tied to the demands of capitalism. We’re encouraged to "optimize" ourselves—whether through gym memberships, productivity planners, or a slew of other purchases aimed at self-improvement. But what if we stepped back and instead tuned into the natural rhythms of the Wheel of the Year? Winter is a season of stillness and recovery, not a time for forcing ourselves into constant action. If resolutions don’t resonate with you, consider an alternative: setting intentions. Unlike rigid goals, intentions are fluid and allow space for growth over time. I find journaling to be one of the best ways to hone in on what I want to be, do, and have in life. This design is one of my favorites.
The Wheel of the Year and the Restful Energy of Winter
The lead-up to Imbolc, the midway point between winter solstice and spring equinox, reminds us that we are still in the heart of winter. While the days are slowly growing longer, this is a season of quiet preparation, of gathering strength for what’s to come. Even with work and school on my plate, I try to honor this time as a season of rest as much as I can.
Alternatives to Resolutions: Setting Intentions
There’s so much pressure in our culture to hit the ground running at the start of a new year. We’re encouraged to set goals, make plans, and start fresh. And while that works for some, it’s okay if January feels more like a time to pause and breathe. Resting isn’t laziness; it’s a necessary part of the cycle. It’s how we recharge so we can meet the demands of spring when it arrives. Winter gives us permission to slow down, reflect, and dream. The Year of the Witch by Temperance Alden is a great read for ideas on how to approach the calendar year through the lens of seasonality and the Wheel of the Year.
Honor the Season in Your Own Way
So if you’ve been feeling the weight of expectations to "do more" or "be better" right now, give yourself permission to let those pressures go. Rest is a gift we can give ourselves—and it’s one that aligns perfectly with the season.
What does January and midwinter look like for you? Are you leaning into the stillness, or are you feeling pulled to action? Wherever you find yourself, know that it’s okay to honor this time in a way that feels right for you.
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New Year, New Intentions: Start 2025 with Purpose
This post may include affiliate links* and I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. Mabon House only features products that I believe in and use myself or that I believe my readers would enjoy. Thank you!
Even if you follow the Wheel of the Year, the start of new calendar year is often a good time to to pause, reflect, and set intentions for the months ahead. Whether you’re into goal-setting, manifestation, or just making small, meaningful changes in your daily life, January offers a blank canvas to create the year you desire.
Here are a few ideas to help you kickstart 2025 with clarity and purpose.
1. Set Intentions, Not Resolutions
Let’s be honest—New Year’s resolutions often feel like a to-do list you’re bound to abandon by February. Instead of rigid goals, try setting intentions. Think about how you want to feel this year—peaceful, energized, focused? Write those feelings down in a dedicated journal like this beautiful guided journal. It’s an easy way to stay aligned with what truly matters.
2. Create Rituals to Support Your Goals
Small daily rituals can help you stay grounded and consistent. Light a candle each morning as you write your to-do list or meditate for 5 minutes before bed. I try to clean up my living space before I go to bed each night. This includes doing up any dishes and cleaning the kitchen counters, picking up my living room and washing/folding/put away the laundry. Now, I don’t do this EVERY night. But when I do take the time to tidy up, I feel much better when I go to bed and when I wake up in the morning.
3. Refresh Your Space
If you feel like you need more than just a tidy up, taking time to declutter your home can help signal a fresh beginning. For me, a cluttered home leads to a cluttered mind. If you feel overwhelm at the thought a of a deeper clean, try starting small —organize your desk, clear out your pantry, or finally tackle that junk drawer. To make this easier, I like these style of storage bins and this organic cleaner (it smells amazing!)
4. Prioritize Self-Care
Self-care isn’t just bubble baths (though those are nice too). It’s about nourishing your mind, body, and soul. Carve out time each week for yourself—whether that’s a yoga class, a long walk, or reading a book that inspires you.
I’ve recently started cutting back on caffeine and switched to these calming tea blends as a way to show myself some self care. I was enjoying a dandelion tea from the same company, but then discovered it has caffeine in it, so that is reserved for intermittent use.
5. Stay Connected to Nature
Winter can feel isolating, but connecting with nature—even in small ways—can lift your spirits. Bundle up and take a walk in the snow, set up a bird feeder outside your window, or bring some greenery indoors with an easy-to-care-for plant like a pothos or snake plant.
If you want to incorporate more natural elements into your daily routine, check out this set of seasonal intention cards for Imbolc to stay in tune with the cycles of nature in the coming months.
Ready to Start Your Year?
The New Year is an opportunity to reset, realign, and reconnect with yourself. Start small, stay intentional, and celebrate every step forward—no matter how tiny.
Which of these tips will you try first? Let me know in the comments! Here’s to a magical and fulfilling 2025!
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