Slow Living through Art

Slow living is about living intentionally, taking time for reflection and appreciating the present. For some slow living is about making sustainable lifestyle choices. Less consumption, less fast food and less waste. Going back to more natural ways of living and growing. For others, slow living is about focusing on excellence rather than speed. Doing all things with love rather than with mindless efficiency.

At the crux of it, slow living is essentially about living according to our purpose and values. In turn, these values are formed based on sustainability. When we choose slow living, we are choosing to be mindful about our actions and we are consistently aligning them to these values. This is not easy, firstly because our fast-paced urban life dissuades us from being still enough to know what our values are. Secondly, it discourages us from experimenting with different ways of living so that we can discover the best way to express these values in our daily lives.

This is where art creation comes in. When we take time to create art, the act of creation itself opens up a whole new way of thinking and being that makes room for slow living. The act of creation here can be as complex as writing a play or as simple as cooking up a new dish in the kitchen. It doesn’t matter what the end result or product is. It only involves creative thinking and time.

I have found this to be true based not only on personal experience but also on many conversations with diverse artists.

Art encourages slow living. In fact, art demands it. Art demands contemplation and being still. It asks us to notice the small things, be in the present and experience life with our whole selves.

If you have been swamped with work, taking time out for ‘creative’ activities may sound frivolous however research has proven otherwise. It is not only the smarter thing to do, it is also a necessary thing in the long term to maintain a healthy and sound mind, more capable of living a purposeful life.

So, here’s a list of ideas to kickstart your process:

1. Take 10 slow deep breaths at the start of the day (believe it or not we forget to breathe deeply)

2. Write down 10 things you are thankful for (small things count)

3. Write down 3 values that are important to you

4. Go for a walk in the park

5. Text a poem to a friend (forwarding messages don’t count!)

6. Sing your version of your favourite song in the bath

7. Create a new sandwich

8. Watch animals like birds/fishes move and play (no, not on youtube!)

9. Leave a funny post-it note on your colleague’s desk (this is great if you really can’t leave your office)

10. And my personal favourite: Spend 10 minutes looking at a piece of art you love

By now you get the idea.

Last but not least, slow living does not mean having a minimalist home that looks aesthetically perfect. It is neither another thing to add to your list of to-dos nor is it a form of escapism from work. The list above are just action triggers that help us refocus our energies and disrupt our daily rush. The end goal is to truly know what we value and align our lives to these values.