Get To Know The Concept Of Slow Living, The Art Of Slowing Down That Makes You Happy

Illustration of slow living (Kaba Camara-Pexels)

JAKARTA - Today, the world seems to be moving so fast. Many people are required to pursue various achievements and successes. It could be in terms of material, bright career, or social status.

As if there was no time to think about what they really wanted to do, people kept running without pause to catch up.

Citing a Harvard Business School survey, about 94% of professionals work more than 50 hours per week.

In 2016 a study by the Creative Economy Agency stated that one-third of workers in creative industries worked more than 48 hours per week.

From this research, it can be concluded that the workers seem to have no other choice. Most of his life is spent working and working.

The fast paced life makes physical and mental health vulnerable to disturbances. It's as if you don't have the freedom to decide what you like and want to do and are forced to embrace this fast-paced culture.

If you start to feel tired, or even sick, try taking one step back. Think carefully, is this what you really want?

If the answer is no, you can try one solution to solve it, namely by implementing the slow living concept.

As the name suggests, the slow living lifestyle will make you slow down for a moment to enjoy life and the various moments that are happening now.

In general, slow living is a response to a routine that is fast, organized, and filled with endless busyness. When living this concept, people will prioritize living with balance and not overdoing it.

People who embrace this concept have an understanding that busyness and a fast-paced lifestyle actually grabs a lot of things. This includes time, health, to the pleasure of living life itself.

Slow living originated from the Slow Food Movement created by Carlo Petrini in 1986. This Italian man created the Slow Food Movement to fight the fast food movement, especially McDonalds, which at that time opened its outlets in Piazza di Spagna, Rome, Italy.

The aim of this campaign is to protect traditional food and gastronomic culture which are considered healthier and more delicious. Starting from this movement, eventually this slowing down lifestyle spreads to various aspects, to life as a whole.

This lifestyle also opposes excessive consumerism and rejects the view that only material wealth can make people happy.

Consumerism and materialism unwittingly make people keep competing for the highest position without knowing when to stop. Because basically, humans often feel they are not enough.

Whereas in slow living, you can have your own measure of happiness. You will focus on the little things that are often overlooked and enjoy the simplicity of meaning.

Applying the concept of slow living can also make you focus on things that are happening now and not only worry about the future.

Some of the advantages you feel when running slow living are that you are healthier physically and mentally.

Take time to exercise to improve physical health such as walking, cycling, or whatever. Don't forget mental health by regularly meditating, doing self-care, and having a work-life balance.

You will also have plenty of time to improve relationships with loved ones. If previously you were always busy with personal matters, now is the time to get back in touch intimately and enjoy moments of being together with friends, family, and partners.

Free time can also be enjoyed to take a break or learn new things outside of work to please and improve skills.

Don't forget to be one with nature, enjoy your vacation moments well, and reduce the intensity of using your device.

But remember, even though the concept of life is slowing down, this is not an excuse to be lazy and unproductive.

You must stay focused on doing everything that is needed to survive, but on a priority scale. By not hurrying, it is hoped that the results will be better and more satisfying.