Slow Living, How I Find Rest in a Busy 70+ Hour Workweek
I work more than 70 hours a week
Do you know why? Because I work as an employee in the care for the disabled, which is a really nice job by the way, and because I run my own webshop where I make the products myself. Rest and balance are therefore very important for my mental well-being. Because despite the fact that I am super busy, I can enjoy my family and home by applying slow living. We are all constantly running and rushing, the pressure of daily life is high. That is why I want to teach you how you can slow down and enjoy yourself, even if you work a lot. In this blog I will teach you my routine about how I apply slow living in my own daily life and how it positively influences my well-being and productivity.
The power of slow living intention
When you are working on slowing down, you start by setting an intention. Every morning I take a few minutes to plan my day and focus on what is really important. This helps me to prioritize and make conscious choices about how I organize and spend my time. Before I applied slow living, I was dragged into endless to-do lists, which made me lose track. Because I now start my day with the intention to follow the red thread of my planning, I have more focus and calmness. And why do I now consciously name the red thread of my planning? Because I also have a family with 2 young children. So no day is the same and in my planning I take into account the attention I want to give to my children.
A slow living interior
Another very important part of slow living is your home. Your home is your refuge after a long day at work, so it is important that your home is a real home where you can recharge and relax. I pay a lot of attention to my interior, cleaning and tidying up. Because with 2 small children and 2 dogs it quickly becomes dirty and messy. That is why I choose to transform multiple places in the house into a slow living interior. Why multiple places? Because making your entire house clutter-free and in light shades does not work for everyone. That is why the home decorations are made in soothing, neutral colors. The candle pots are perfect to plant a plant in after the luxurious scented candle has burned out, so that you bring more greenery and nature into your home. The three important things for a serene atmosphere are: plants, minimalist decorations and natural light.
Luxurious scented candles for relaxation
Luxurious scented candles are an essential part of my slow living routine. After a busy day, I love to light a scented candle to relax. The aesthetics of the candle jar, the flame of the candle and the wonderful smell in my home make me feel at ease. I use scents such as citrus to feel more energized, jasmine to clear my mind and thoughts and scents such as chamomile and lavender to calm down and relax. This is a real sense of well-being for me.
Mindfulness and meditation
Mindfulness and meditation are powerful tools that I use to reduce stress and be more present in the moment. Every night before bed I do a bed and meditation to end the day and clear my head, so that I can recharge well for the next day in my sleep. Mindfulness and meditation help me to restore my focus. At times when I get stuck during my day because my head is overflowing and there are so many ideas going around, I take a moment to pause, put on a meditation and focus on the here and now. Even 5 minutes of conscious breathing can make a big difference in how you experience the rest of your day.
Setting priorities and boundaries
Another important part of slow living is setting priorities and boundaries. I am slowly learning to say 'no' to obligations that are not a high priority. This way I can protect myself and my time. When you learn to say no more often, you can make more conscious choices about how you spend your energy and on what. So definitely leave room in your planning for rest and recovery. Setting boundaries also gives you the opportunity to find a better balance between work and private life. When this is not in balance, your mental well-being is also out of balance.
Slow living simplicity
Experience the power of simplicity. Simplicity for me means that I try to keep my life and my schedule as simple as possible. I avoid unnecessary obligations and try to focus on what is really important. This could mean that I spend less time on social media, that I plan my posts for Roeloffs Candles & Home Decor a week in advance, so that I don't have to worry about them for the rest of the week. By tackling things this way, I keep an overview for myself and create more space for peace and reflection.
Connection with nature
Do you ever feel connected to nature? For example, do you go for a walk to escape the hustle and bustle of your daily tasks? No? Then do it! The fresh air, the sound of the birds and the green of nature help you to relax again and to be more connected to yourself. Even during a busy day, I still make time to walk the dog, or to just sit outside in the garden and enjoy.
Slow Living in Action - Practical Tips
Are you ready to start implementing slow living into your life? Here are some tips on things I do on a daily basis.
- Morning Ritual: Start your day with a morning ritual, make a cup of coffee or tea, meditate or take a short walk
- Breaks: Take regular breaks from your work, so you can relax and clear your mind. You will also be much more productive afterwards.
- Self-care: Make self-care a priority. Take time off regularly to do activities that help you relax and recharge to move forward.
- Gratitude: End your day with a moment of gratitude. For example, write down 3 things you were grateful for that day. This will create a shift in your mindset.
- Slow living interior: Use scent and aesthetics to turn your house into a real home.
Applying slow living
Applying slow living in a busy 70+ hour workweek is certainly a challenge, but not impossible. When you consciously choose simplicity and tranquility and invest in a harmonious, relaxing home, you will also improve your mental well-being and overall well-being. Mindfulness with scented candles and slow living decoration are just a few of the many ways you can apply slow living in your life. Slow living helps you to lead a more balanced and fulfilling life. Even if you work a lot.
So slow living is more than a lifestyle. It is the choice you make. Do you want to be more present and aware, no matter how big your to-do list is? Slow living is a journey to more inner peace and well-being. Every small step counts.
Slow living products
The products for sale in the webshop are all infused with the slow living intention. The luxury scented candles are designed to not only make your home smell wonderful, but also to improve your well-being with aromatherapy. The luxury home decorations are also all individually handmade and infused with the slow living intention. So that you too can apply your house to a real home with slow living interior. Without having to throw your entire interior and furniture around, you simply create a number of places in the house where you can find peace.
