When we embarked on our slow living journey, we had our doubts. If we would miss the time spent mall hopping or rushing completing errands.... if we will loose out from the race .... we also had a strong feeling that once the pandemic induced lock down was lifted, we will go back to hustle and rush of the pre- pandemic times. But I am a happy soul reporting from our new nest that our slow living routine is still going strong.
Winters are one of the best months for us slow living sloths . As the days are get shorter in our part of the world, it becomes a ritual to light candles in the morning and pull over the duvet while you sit down with your coffee mug. Slow background music and the candle lights sets the tone early in the morning for a relaxed day ahead….
The early raise routine is a tad bit difficult, but we still try… Of course with air pollution, the dreams of lounging in the balcony, is all but shattered.
The 10-minute self-reflection that we are practicing each morning, by being silent and listening to the sounds of nature is one of the best ways to start the day.
Routines are held sacred and we try to stick to it as much as possible. Understanding and accepting that being busy and being in a hurry does not equal to success has helped us embrace the slow living life. We now sit down, chat and listen to each other, maybe watch a movie or play a board game, minus the constant pang in our minds that we are losing out in the race.
One of the practices, that we are trying to make into a routine is to observe quiet time each day. With the onslaught of exams and work pressure the quiet time usually gets pushed over to another day, but we hope to succeed.
Friday night wind down is still going strong…. The cold months are the best for our wine downs....a full-bodied wine and a simple but appetizing spread sets the mood for a relaxed and cozy evening….
Gardening is a new passion for us and we are learning each day. Our balcony garden is a work in progress. We are still in the trial-and-error phase, trying to find plants that will survive, and which won’t. The joy we experienced when we harvested our first lime was unmatched.
In our formal balcony garden, the weaver bird has set up its nest and we were thrilled to the core. We missed our tailor bird nest this year, as we ourselves were shifting nests during that time....
We are also trying to observe one evening without electricity each month, we have no idea how successful it will be. Other than for the hot hot months from June to September, I am sure hubby and sonny dear would not object. Completing evening chores under flickering candle lights ought to be a challenging job but it will be one of the most effective ways to introduce a no mobile no lap top policy for at least one evening of each month.
Early raise, self-reflection, quite time, wind down, gardening, an evening without electricity
-----------we don't hurry, we don't rush from here to there on weekends, we spent time with each other and with ourselves…………..we are slowly reaching our slow living destination.
We, the three musketeers are enjoying the relaxed slow life in our new nest.
Happy Musings
Tina.
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