Great post. I think one of the more valid criticisms of 'slow living' is that it is often portrayed in a way that is completely inaccessible to people who have no choice but to work long hours just to stay afloat, and therefore a luxury only available to those who are better off. So acknowledging this struggle is really important, even if in reality living simply has many different dimensions to it.
Totally agree with you. A lot of versions of “slow living” we see online are either idealistic fantasies or come from positions of immense financial privilege, and I think it’s really important to acknowledge that.
I love this post and I’m grateful for your wisdom! I’m one who can’t do everything I would like to do about living simply but I do what I can do and that makes a huge difference.
Meditating/yoga/walking outside
Opening the windows to hear the birds
Planting tomatoes, peppers, herbs on the balcony
Buying only what I need and really considering what I want to make it a special purchase
Making my bed and having morning tea before I get moving
Books before TV
And other things that aren’t coming to mind.
Your comment about mansplaining and communism made me laugh- lots of thoughts about that but - 😎
The last sentence says it all! This post was written for the reality of Australia, but it fits perfectly with the reality of other countries, including my Portugal. It is frightening to observe how a minority continues to get so rich, and the majority has more and more difficulties in living, and sometimes they just survive.
This post really resonates with me and, as I said on your note, it is an ongoing struggle for me to find a balance. I could not agree more with what you say about the more we work the more busy our lives become. I really relish the slow start to my non paid work days. My little one’s mood is also much calmer when we don’t have to rush to be out the door but instead he can potter around reading books, having cuddles and playing freely.
I work part time but would like to reduce my days further. However, I really question whether it is the right time with the cost of living at the moment even with frugal simple living habits. I hope that you are able to continue to find a way to work in a way that suits you and your family’s wellbeing.
It’s such a hard balance, isn’t it?! Our family life works so much better (and I’m so much happier) when I’m home more, but the bills have to be paid! When he was littler my son was the same as your little one - always happiest on our slow days pottering at home. I really miss those days now he’s busy with school and after school activities!
Beautifully stated, and so open and compassionate. I aim towards a simpler life, though I am currently running my house on a single income (and have some debt, which I pay off with my second job). This was an amazing reminder of how each little lifestyle decision can either make things easier or harder as the cost of living continues to rise.
Thank you so much Elias. It is such a hard slog paying off debt (we’ve been there!) but you’ll feel so much lighter once it’s done. I’m cheering you on! ❤️
I saw that note! Though I didn’t connect it with you until now. Thank you for this post, I resonate with a lot of what you say and I’m very curious to see how much of what you’re doing (which looks like it’s more countryside? Going by the aesthetic?) can work for someone like me whose day job is in a factory and lives in a city.
Hi Eustacia! We live in a small house on a town block in a regional town. We started out in the city but moved in order to have access to more affordable housing and space for a veggie patch. That said, I think (hope) I lot of what I write about is relatable to people in all kinds of circumstances. You definitely don't need to live in the country to live more simply and slowly.
So many beautiful points raised here. A big tax bill this year (completely my fault for not being prepared) has meant that I've had to step back and simplify. And you know, being forced to 'slow down' in financial terms has inspired me so much - to cook and to bake, to experiment with flavour and get creative with the leftovers. It feels like freedom.
Thank you, Katie, for this gentle reminder and note of solidarity. I wrote on a similar topic a few months back that you might like x
My wife and I (Americans) have the good fortune to live in Mexico. We didn’t move here for the lower cost of living, which is an unadvisable incentive that almost always fails, we came for other reasons. We moved here because we love the region, but we’ve also come to love the culture, and we really appreciate the safety. But lately, I’ve appreciated not needing to grind in the rat race to survive. I’ve enjoyed the luxury of two mid-life career changes. If I could give this great fortune to everyone somehow, I would.
Life in Mexico sounds amazing, Damon! I love living in Australia and we do have so much to be thankful for here, but the cost of living is becoming absolutely outrageous.
For me, what you write, is The way to enjoy our live the most. There is so much stress going on, we are talked into buying lots of things, and the system is just wrong. And this is not a communist talk, this is a wellbeing aspect essential for a living with contentment. And I am not blind, lots of people have to work very hard to pay off debts.
Consider reading “Walden” from Thoreau, written in 1847, same thoughts as 180 years later…
It's odd to say,but as someone who grew up in the 1960s and 1970s that JOB that you HAVE TO DO in order to along with your partner to pay your bills and feed your children,that was supposed TO BE the SIGNIFICANT PURPOSE IN YOUR LIFE,I forget the exact words you used but that was SUPPOSED to be IT.
I once read (can't remember where) "it's not the high cost of living, it's the cost of high living." I totally get your drift about feeling the pinch when you're already living simply (🙋🏼♀️), but I also think it's important to acknowledge that having a phone (even a secondhand one(, buying clothes (even if they're thrifted or hand-me-downs), affording a car (even a beat-up one), etc, is not a human right.
Great post. I think one of the more valid criticisms of 'slow living' is that it is often portrayed in a way that is completely inaccessible to people who have no choice but to work long hours just to stay afloat, and therefore a luxury only available to those who are better off. So acknowledging this struggle is really important, even if in reality living simply has many different dimensions to it.
Totally agree with you. A lot of versions of “slow living” we see online are either idealistic fantasies or come from positions of immense financial privilege, and I think it’s really important to acknowledge that.
I love this post and I’m grateful for your wisdom! I’m one who can’t do everything I would like to do about living simply but I do what I can do and that makes a huge difference.
Meditating/yoga/walking outside
Opening the windows to hear the birds
Planting tomatoes, peppers, herbs on the balcony
Buying only what I need and really considering what I want to make it a special purchase
Making my bed and having morning tea before I get moving
Books before TV
And other things that aren’t coming to mind.
Your comment about mansplaining and communism made me laugh- lots of thoughts about that but - 😎
Again- I’m glad I stumbled across your page!
Dorothy-
California
What a beautiful list! Thank you so much for reading, Dorothy. ❤️
The simple, boring life is a good one. Thanks for sharing!
The last sentence says it all! This post was written for the reality of Australia, but it fits perfectly with the reality of other countries, including my Portugal. It is frightening to observe how a minority continues to get so rich, and the majority has more and more difficulties in living, and sometimes they just survive.
This post really resonates with me and, as I said on your note, it is an ongoing struggle for me to find a balance. I could not agree more with what you say about the more we work the more busy our lives become. I really relish the slow start to my non paid work days. My little one’s mood is also much calmer when we don’t have to rush to be out the door but instead he can potter around reading books, having cuddles and playing freely.
I work part time but would like to reduce my days further. However, I really question whether it is the right time with the cost of living at the moment even with frugal simple living habits. I hope that you are able to continue to find a way to work in a way that suits you and your family’s wellbeing.
It’s such a hard balance, isn’t it?! Our family life works so much better (and I’m so much happier) when I’m home more, but the bills have to be paid! When he was littler my son was the same as your little one - always happiest on our slow days pottering at home. I really miss those days now he’s busy with school and after school activities!
I really love your writing and it really resonates with the way I am living. Especially your last sentence, love it. I'll subscribe ;-)
Thank you so much Irene! Your support means so much to me. ❤️
Beautifully stated, and so open and compassionate. I aim towards a simpler life, though I am currently running my house on a single income (and have some debt, which I pay off with my second job). This was an amazing reminder of how each little lifestyle decision can either make things easier or harder as the cost of living continues to rise.
Thank you so much Elias. It is such a hard slog paying off debt (we’ve been there!) but you’ll feel so much lighter once it’s done. I’m cheering you on! ❤️
I saw that note! Though I didn’t connect it with you until now. Thank you for this post, I resonate with a lot of what you say and I’m very curious to see how much of what you’re doing (which looks like it’s more countryside? Going by the aesthetic?) can work for someone like me whose day job is in a factory and lives in a city.
Hi Eustacia! We live in a small house on a town block in a regional town. We started out in the city but moved in order to have access to more affordable housing and space for a veggie patch. That said, I think (hope) I lot of what I write about is relatable to people in all kinds of circumstances. You definitely don't need to live in the country to live more simply and slowly.
I love the tone of this essay. I saw your note earlier this week, it resonates so deeply! Well done.
Thank you so much! 🥰
Great reflections, Katie. These are not easy times to be a mother and a writer, but your words make me feel seen. Glad to connect with you 💗
Thank you so much Caroline!
So many beautiful points raised here. A big tax bill this year (completely my fault for not being prepared) has meant that I've had to step back and simplify. And you know, being forced to 'slow down' in financial terms has inspired me so much - to cook and to bake, to experiment with flavour and get creative with the leftovers. It feels like freedom.
Thank you, Katie, for this gentle reminder and note of solidarity. I wrote on a similar topic a few months back that you might like x
https://flourishandfare.substack.com/p/is-slow-living-just-for-rich-people
Thank you so much Aimee. I will definitely check out your post! 💕
My wife and I (Americans) have the good fortune to live in Mexico. We didn’t move here for the lower cost of living, which is an unadvisable incentive that almost always fails, we came for other reasons. We moved here because we love the region, but we’ve also come to love the culture, and we really appreciate the safety. But lately, I’ve appreciated not needing to grind in the rat race to survive. I’ve enjoyed the luxury of two mid-life career changes. If I could give this great fortune to everyone somehow, I would.
Life in Mexico sounds amazing, Damon! I love living in Australia and we do have so much to be thankful for here, but the cost of living is becoming absolutely outrageous.
I had not heard this. Is it rising faster than other parts of the world? We’ve seen some inflation since the pandemic, but nothing like the US.
'It’s the system that sucks, not you.'
Yes indeed! We deserve so much better than this. Our leaders have failed us, especially those who're underprivileged.
Hello Katie,
For me, what you write, is The way to enjoy our live the most. There is so much stress going on, we are talked into buying lots of things, and the system is just wrong. And this is not a communist talk, this is a wellbeing aspect essential for a living with contentment. And I am not blind, lots of people have to work very hard to pay off debts.
Consider reading “Walden” from Thoreau, written in 1847, same thoughts as 180 years later…
Nice to meet you here, Katie!
It's odd to say,but as someone who grew up in the 1960s and 1970s that JOB that you HAVE TO DO in order to along with your partner to pay your bills and feed your children,that was supposed TO BE the SIGNIFICANT PURPOSE IN YOUR LIFE,I forget the exact words you used but that was SUPPOSED to be IT.
I once read (can't remember where) "it's not the high cost of living, it's the cost of high living." I totally get your drift about feeling the pinch when you're already living simply (🙋🏼♀️), but I also think it's important to acknowledge that having a phone (even a secondhand one(, buying clothes (even if they're thrifted or hand-me-downs), affording a car (even a beat-up one), etc, is not a human right.