In the hustle and bustle, finding moments of peace and quiet can feel like a luxury. That shouldn’t be the case. With slow living, you can have a welcome respite from the constant hurry, allowing you to savour the simple joys and cultivate a deeper connection with your surroundings. And here’s the best part: slow living can be embraced at home to create a sanctuary of serenity, where time slows down and the pressures of the outside world fade away.
What is slow living?
Slow living is a lifestyle where you aim to reclaim your time with a more mindful or intentional approach to daily living. It’s about pinpointing what you value most in life and structuring your time to enjoy what you do. By appreciating the small things in life, you can take advantage of each day, build connections with people and pets, invest in your physical and emotional well-being, and be more conscious of your surroundings. Unlike fast living, which places the focus on instant gratification, ambition, and financial gain, slow living focuses on being fulfilled, finding your purpose, and living life with gratitude.
The key elements of slow living are taking the opportunity to disconnect from the rat race, slow down, and live in the present. It can mean putting away your phone, switching off your TV, and demanding more work-life balance. Getting closer to nature and embracing its restorative powers is also an important part of slow living.
In leading a slow living lifestyle, your home can create a tranquil escape away from the daily grind. This can mean interior design and decor choices that help you slow down, relax, and focus on your health. It’s no surprise that semigration has been on the rise in recent years as people choose homes that feel warm and welcoming and in areas that provide leisure and wellness amenities, while encouraging closer contact with nature.
Your property inspiration
This magnificent five-bedroom house, with its neutral colour palette and soft, elegant furnishings, is the perfect antidote to the fast pace of modern life. With scenic views of the Royal Alfred Marina, it’s a reminder that leisure is just a walk (or boat ride) away. The marina provides the epitome of coastal living; as a resident, you can hit the beach, fish, surf, dive, bird-watch, go boating or canoeing, or explore the wonders of nature. This truly is slow living at its best.
How you can start slow living at home
As the place you spend most of your time, your home can empower your slow-living lifestyle. Look around with fresh eyes and you’ll find plenty of ways to make your space comforting.
Declutter your home: Tidy home, tidy mind as the saying goes. By getting rid of everything you don’t like or no longer serves you, you can focus on the items in your home that add value and pleasure.
Make personal decor choices: While slow-living interiors vary depending on your personal preferences, the key is to choose those which feel meaningful and bring you joy and comfort.
Create quiet spaces: A quiet reading corner, artist studio, or outdoor hot tub can become a slow, soft space to get away from it all. Consider using sound barriers and ensure your space is away from the daily routine of others so you aren’t disturbed.
Maximise light in every room: Homes bathed in light feel more welcoming and will enhance your mood. If you can’t install or expand windows in your home, look at changing your artificial lights or adding places for candles to create a soothing glow.
Turn to nature’s healing touch: Getting to work on your garden, bringing in more indoor greenery, adding furniture and decor made from natural materials, and embracing a nature-inspired colour palette are good ways to draw on its qualities.
Add some calming scents: Don’t discount the power of smell to help you create a slow-living haven. Uplifting scents from candles, reed diffusers, and even your choice of fireplace wood will conjure up an environment perfect for unwinding.
Minimise the presence of tech: No, you don’t have to toss out your TV and disconnect your smart home system. But, you can work on ways to reduce their use or conceal their distracting presence in your home. Clever storage solutions can ensure these electronics are only used when you need them.
Your home should inspire you
As you embrace slow living, you'll discover a newfound appreciation for the simple pleasures that make a house a home. If you’re looking at creating a slow living environment for your rental property or in search of a comforting space to make your home, Lew Geffen Sotheby's International Realty is here to help. As the best real estate company in South Africa, we take pride in listing properties that cater to a wide range of needs. Reach out to our team today for more information.
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