• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Townsend House

Cultivate Simplicity in your Home and Homeschool

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Video
  • Shop
  • About
  • Contact

Self-Care· TH

The Skill of Slow Living – How to Make it Work

What do you imagine when you think about your
childhood?  I see a lot of the
outdoors.  Living in Maine, being outside
was second nature.  As a child I was told
to play outside or read if I was bored, activities on the weekend were playing in the
woods and enjoying nature, not running around to as many activities as we could
possibly fit in.


I am one of the first of the Millennial
generation, and I know that I am probably one of the last to remember an early
childhood without screens, without the academic pressures of today, without so
much negativity.
I don’t know if I was just protected from it, or if the
addition of social media and an online presence from a very young age now
changes the way that children perceive life in the “real world.”
Margin.  That is my
word of the year.  Margin.  White Space. 
Quiet.
These are some of the words that have been rolling around in
my brain for the past month.
I haven’t quite found my footing in 2017 yet.  It seems like there is just.so.much. going on
out in the world to really feel comfortable with any of it.  The negativity is draining.  Watching the news is draining.  Trying to keep up with the general day to day
is draining.
It reminded me of a term that I held dear for many years –
slow living.
The term slow-living seemed to come around the same time
that slow-food entered into my life.
Slow food is just what it sounds like – taking the time to
appreciate the delicious food that we have available to us.  But, it started to go farther.  It was a movement; a movement about getting
back to the basics of life.  About
enjoying the process of making food, about finding food in our local food shed,
about remembering the cost to bring that food to our tables. 
Slow living is much the same. 
Instead of the constant stuff, instead we see experience,
instead of going going going, we take a step back to slow down and experience
life instead of letting it pass us by.
The past several months have been full of busy for my
family.  They always are.  Between school, basketball, church
activities, the holidays, the political climate, it is a lot of busy, a lot of
constant information to be dealt with.
But my word is margin this year.
Margin.  I need more
of it.  I need that permission to slow
down.  To have a lazy Saturday drinking
coffee and reading a book, to be able to say yes to a last minute outing with
my mom, or to have an impromptu movie night with friends.
Instead, it seems when there is a moment to breathe, I don’t
want to do anything else, because I have been so overwhelmed.  Because I know that there is another something that needs to be done soon.
I need to slow down. 
I know that I need to re-prioritize. 
I need to start thinking about self-care more, and less about the fear of missing out for my children,
for myself.
It is a good time for me to reflect on the changes that I want
to make in our daily lives.  Basketball
is done for the year!  It is the dead of
winter, and we are in our final stretch of homeschooling for the year – we will
go straight through to the middle of May and then be done for a bit.
I’m not sure what the changes are that I will make, or how I
will make them; I’m not sure what slow living looks like for us, here, in
2017.  But, I am ready to start exploring
those themes the way I did back when I only had one little one in the house.

Evaluating our schedule, what we desire for in our days, the most important items; those will be the first steps.  What is essential?  What do I want to say Yes to?  What am I saying Yes to begrudgingly?

Living slow is not something that happens easily.  It is something that you have to fight for, and make adjustments frequently.  It is too easy to get caught up in the current of life, and you forget to slow down, to enjoy life.
Have you heard of
slow-living?  Is that something you
desire in your own life?

You may also enjoy:

  • Creating a Master To-Do ListCreating a Master To-Do List
  • 2020 Word of the Year – The Choice is Yours!2020 Word of the Year – The Choice is Yours!
  • 31 Days of Finding Freedom in Simplicity – PowerSheets Goal Planner31 Days of Finding Freedom in Simplicity – PowerSheets Goal Planner
  • 31 Days of Finding Freedom in Simplicity – Goals & Dreams Resources31 Days of Finding Freedom in Simplicity – Goals & Dreams Resources
Share
Pin
Tweet

45 Comments

Are you ready to cultivate simplicity in your home and homeschool?

Start with my easy guide to organize your homeschool curriculum.

Previous Post: « Grace for Personal Goal Setting in the New Year
Next Post: How to Overcome the Fear of Missing Out »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Comments

  1. Chelsea says

    May 16, 2017 at 2:29 am

    Oh I love this. It's like you wrote out everything I've been thinking for the past 6 months! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Heather says

      May 17, 2017 at 4:23 pm

      I'm glad that you liked it! It has been heavy on my heart lately as well. Thanks for visiting!

      Reply
  2. Karina Pacheco says

    February 15, 2017 at 9:25 am

    Slowing down is definitely needed once in a while. Not only is it good for the soul but also for those around you who want to see you happy 🙂 and not pressured.

    Reply
  3. Jennifer S. says

    February 13, 2017 at 9:20 pm

    I always say that I need to slow down more, but I never do. Thank you for the reminder. Now I am really looking forward to our beach vacation.

    Reply
  4. Katriza Luna says

    February 9, 2017 at 10:17 pm

    I love your word of the year, great choice! I enjoyed reading this post because I love this slow living. I won't move to the east coast because of it. My family out there doesn't even know how to slow down. I love where I live so i can truly appreciate life.

    Reply
  5. Amber N says

    February 9, 2017 at 7:27 pm

    And this reminds me an awful lot like mindfulness, taking it all in…enjoying every moment. Great post!

    Reply
  6. CourtneyLynne says

    February 8, 2017 at 11:54 pm

    I think we all need to slow down in life! Life definitely gets way to hectic and it's best to take a step back to breath

    Reply
  7. blythe32 says

    February 8, 2017 at 9:44 pm

    I've always desired quite time. Though I will say I need to get better at turning off the screens during that time. It's good to just be, whether in a quiet room or outdoors.

    Reply
  8. Rachel Catherine says

    February 8, 2017 at 9:13 pm

    Living does seem to go by so fast now. I really need to try and slow down life a bit too.

    Reply
  9. Chelsea says

    February 8, 2017 at 4:23 pm

    Having a quiet time of the day is so important. More often than not, my quiet time happens after everyone else has gone to bed!

    Reply
  10. Angela Ricardo says

    February 8, 2017 at 3:01 pm

    As a military wife who could barely handle her busy schedule I am truly glad I came across your post. I totally agree that we really need to slow down a bit and enjoy life. In this fast paced generation, it is kinda challenging though but we always have to remind ourselves to stop and take it easy.

    Reply
  11. Jennifer (JenuineMom) says

    February 8, 2017 at 2:24 pm

    Slow living sounds … hard-to-achieve in this day and age. Possible, yes, but it would take a lot of commitment, I think. I would like to slow down, but then I worry about how I'd take care of my family.

    Reply
  12. Brittany Muddamalle says

    February 8, 2017 at 4:33 am

    I love this. It's such a good reminder. I've been thinking about this a lot lately. My kids are getting older and I don't want to miss anything.

    Reply
  13. Thrifty Haute Mom says

    February 7, 2017 at 11:43 pm

    My life is defined not in slow drive. Especially in my house. Someone is always in and out. This year we are trying to practice spending more time together.

    Reply
  14. Kristin Swenson says

    February 7, 2017 at 10:44 pm

    My life is definitely in overdrive. I could stand to slow it down both with my cooking and daily habits!

    Reply
  15. Reesa Lewandowski says

    February 7, 2017 at 9:54 pm

    So here in New Jersey life is VERY fast paced. It is awful. I hate it! I try my best to keep my own life slow but it doesn't really work without giving me anxiety! I need to read these!

    Reply
  16. Amie @ Busy Bliss says

    February 7, 2017 at 8:55 pm

    I love your word of the year. We cut out most of our kids after school activities over this past year just so we weren't constantly on the go. We are now finding a way to slowly work back in the stuff that counts and keep out the stuff that doesn't.

    Reply
  17. Debra Schroeder says

    February 7, 2017 at 6:23 pm

    I've never heard the phrase "slow living" before, but I like the concept. We're a rush, rush society and we need to "take time to smell the roses" (Yeah, I'm old. LOL)

    Reply
  18. Ashley LaMar says

    February 7, 2017 at 6:15 pm

    Slow living is absolutely something that we focus on in our home. We live in Atlanta and it's easy to get caught up in the go-go-go of urban life but in our family we focus on slow, relaxed, methodical almost. It's a great way to live once you get adjusted to it.

    Reply
  19. Charlotte TheMummyToolbox says

    February 7, 2017 at 5:57 pm

    I definitely need to focus more on slow living, I haven't heard of the term before but I am all for making the most of life and it's great for making memories!

    Reply
  20. Theresa's Reviews says

    February 7, 2017 at 5:24 pm

    I agree about that things are so different now. It is still really important to slow down.

    Reply
  21. Brandi Puga says

    February 7, 2017 at 4:44 pm

    Everyone, especially in America, could use a little slow down. We are so hurried to get from this moment ot the next, from here to there, that we miss SO much!

    Reply
  22. Dawn McAlexander says

    February 7, 2017 at 4:36 pm

    I think I would have to defer to my husband for a more relative comment on this. I am always go,go,go and busy,busy,busy. He always takes things in stride and relaxes more than I can. I think he would agree with your statements here.

    Reply
  23. Tabitha says

    February 7, 2017 at 4:29 pm

    It is so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle! I always have to remind myself to slow down and not overwhelm myself with everything that needs to be done!

    Reply
  24. Marisa H says

    February 7, 2017 at 3:52 pm

    What a great post… its so hard to stop and enjoy whatever it is you are doing…. The world is so rush rush… I miss the day of just sitting and doing nothing! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  25. Krystle Cook says

    February 7, 2017 at 3:29 pm

    My life is seriously out of control at times. Taking a breather and slowing down is important!

    Reply
  26. Robin Rue says

    February 7, 2017 at 3:27 pm

    Slowing down would be great! I totally need to make time where there is nothing going on.

    Reply
  27. Jana Bailey says

    February 7, 2017 at 5:03 am

    I agree it is so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life and the older I get the more I am realizing I want things to slow down.

    Reply
  28. Krystel Seijo says

    February 7, 2017 at 2:55 am

    I need to try that out. Slow living. It's something I struggle with, my mind, my body, everything is always going way too fast. So much so that I get so tired. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  29. Unknown says

    February 7, 2017 at 2:24 am

    Savor the moment, I'm all about that! I am always so fast-paced sometimes, I need to remember this.

    Reply
  30. Wow Di says

    February 7, 2017 at 1:03 am

    Slowing down was something I wanted last year. And it ended up not happening as I had my busiest work year. Definitely trying again this year though!

    Reply
  31. CoCo - Our Humble ABoden says

    February 7, 2017 at 12:43 am

    I definitely could afford to slow down a bit! Sometimes life goes by so fast because I am so busy and I feel like I don't remember anything!

    Reply
  32. Joanna Brittain says

    February 7, 2017 at 12:37 am

    What a great post! I am all about slowing down, savoring the moment. Life is faster than the speed of light lately. We all need to take a moment to take in what all is happening around us.

    Reply
  33. Cara W says

    February 6, 2017 at 9:25 pm

    I am all for slowing down and it's funny because I realize this whenever I go on a vacation. When I am not in my usual environment it helps to slow things down.

    Reply
  34. Janel B says

    February 6, 2017 at 8:41 pm

    I pretty much live the slow life myself. So many friends are go go go all the time they miss the special moments and always seem so stressed out.

    Reply
  35. Hil'Lesha O'Nan says

    February 6, 2017 at 8:06 pm

    I love the simple things in life, so I naturally love and value the importance of slow living. It makes life more enjoyable that way!

    Reply
  36. Courteney Noonan says

    February 6, 2017 at 6:46 pm

    I know exactly how you feel! I'm trying to slow down a bit recently because I'm always so busy with uni, work and my blog. I usually only get one day off a week so I'm trying to give myself more time to relax and de-stress

    Reply
  37. Marcie Cheung says

    February 6, 2017 at 6:14 pm

    It's so hard to slow down in our fast-paced lives where kids are supposed to be in so many classes and activities. We try to have a "jammie day" at home once a week just to slow down and spend time together just enjoying life.

    Reply
  38. Mandy Carter says

    February 6, 2017 at 6:03 pm

    Since having my kids I have definitely learned the value of slowing down and being present not just there. It really does change your perspective on everything.

    Reply
  39. Jessi Joachim says

    February 6, 2017 at 4:56 pm

    The idea of slowing down has always been so foreign to me. I am so used to busy but recently we have been trying to slow down more.

    Reply
    • Heather says

      February 6, 2017 at 5:10 pm

      I think you can definitely get into a pattern of busyness – and that isn't a bad thing! As long as it is your choice and you are able to hold on to what is important during that time.

      Reply
  40. ana de jesus says

    February 6, 2017 at 4:34 pm

    I need margin in my life too, in order to as you put it slow down and really appreciate what life can bring me. I will use this as my motto from now on!

    Reply
    • Heather says

      February 6, 2017 at 5:09 pm

      Although cliche, I know that as I have gotten older (and especially since having children) time has started to go into warp speed. I notice in my busy seasons I blink and they are done, and I don't like that feeling. I am trying to savor life more.

      Reply
  41. Karen Morse says

    February 6, 2017 at 4:08 pm

    I like the idea of slowing down. For me, that might mean letting go of some other things and prioritize what really grounds me and makes me happy.

    Reply
    • Heather says

      February 6, 2017 at 4:09 pm

      Oh I love that "prioritize what really grounds me…" That is definitely something to keep in mind, and a different way of thinking of things. I love it!

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

Are you ready to cultivate simplicity in your home and homeschool?

Start with my easy guide to organize your homeschool curriculum.

Currently Reading



Latest on Instagram

townsendhouse1

Heather @ Townsend House
My Brave Writer choices for 2022-2023! You can fin My Brave Writer choices for 2022-2023! You can find the video and how I combine Brave Writer with our other language arts curriculum at the link in my profile.

#bravewriter #bravelearner #homeschool #homeschooling #homeschoolplanning #homeschoolhighschool #homeschoolmiddleschool #homeschoolmom #homeschoolcurriculum
A walk through my flower gardens! They need a ser A walk through my flower gardens!  They need a serious weeding, but the flowers are pretty 😊

#garden #flowers #flowersmakemehappy #garden2022 #2022garden
I have my 7th grade homeschool curriculum choices I have my 7th grade homeschool curriculum choices up! You can see them at the link in my profile.

#homeschool #homeschooling #homeschoolcurriculum #mainestudies #bravewriter #bravelearner #bravewriterlifestyle #bravelearnerlifestyle #homeschoolmom #homeschoolplanning #homeschoolplanner #middleschool 
 #wildandfreechildren #charlottemason #interestled #bookstagram #books
I can't wait to hear how the dance was for these b I can't wait to hear how the dance was for these beauties!
When I was choosing curriculum for this coming yea When I was choosing curriculum for this coming year I thought I was totally on top of things, just to realize when I was laying everything out that I totally forgot to get science for my 7th grader. 🤦🏼‍♀️

We chatted a bit about what he wanted to do, and what he decidedly DID NOT want to do, and we came up with the #scienceunlocked kits from @homesciencetools 

I am sharing an unboxing of the four kits we chose as well as my first thoughts. 
You can find the video at the link in my profile.

I think that it is going to be a great science year for him! 

#homeschool #homeschooling #homeschoolscience #homeschoolmiddleschool #projectbasedhomeschooling #interestledlearning #homeschoolmom #homeschoolcurriculum
I'm starting to share my 2022-2023 Homeschool Curr I'm starting to share my 2022-2023 Homeschool Curriculum picks. First up, my 9th grader! You can find out what we are using by clicking the link in my profile.

#homeschool #homeschooling #sonlight #sonlightstories #sonlight230 #bravewriter #bravelearner #bravewriterlifestyle #bravelearnerlifestyle #homeschoolmom #homeschoolplanning #homeschoolplanner #homeschoolhighschool #homeschoolinghighschool #highschoolcurriculum #curriculum #charlottemason #interestled #bookstagram #books
#sponsored @kiwico_inc crates are a great way to i #sponsored @kiwico_inc crates are a great way to integrate interest-led learning in your homeschool. Find out how we use them at the link in my profile!

#kiwico #steam #stem #homeschool #homeschooling #interestledlearning
Jack and I have a lot of planting in our future! T Jack and I have a lot of planting in our future! This doesn't even include all of the seeds we have...Why is it so hard to say no to lots of plants?  Also, not entirely sure where we will put it all 🤣

#growyourown #localfood #slowfood #homesteading #homesteadhomeschooling #homeschool #homeschooling #garden #gardening #2022garden
My irises are showing up! White lilacs are also bl My irises are showing up! White lilacs are also blooming 🥰

#garden #2022garden #flowers #flowersmakemehappy
I am super excited to share the new Erin Condren T I am super excited to share the new Erin Condren Teacher Planners with you guys! I have been using the coiled teacher planner since 2015 and it is super functional for me. If you are interested in seeing the new planners that go on sale next week, you can find my videos at the link in my profile!

#ecsquad #erincondren #ectlp #ectp #homeschool #homeschoolplanner #homeschooling #homeschoolplanner #homeschoolmom #plannercommunity #teacherplanner
#ad 5 reasons we are STILL using @teachingtextbook #ad 5 reasons we are STILL using @teachingtextbooks for our homeschool math - it might not be why you think!
Find the video here - https://youtu.be/Q03_6jtpxa4
Find the corresponding blog post here - https://www.townsend-house.com/teaching-textbooks-6/
Get your FREE TRIAL here - https://u.teachingtextbooks.com/Free_Trial_HL41422

#homeschool #homeschooling #homeschoolmath #homeschoolhighschool #homeschoolingteens #homeschoolcurriculum #math #mathcurriculum #homeschoolmom #homeschoolplanning #homeschoolplanner #middleschool #elementaryschool #highschool
I have a preview of the new @erincondren life plan I have a preview of the new @erincondren life planners that are coming out on 4/25 for EC Insiders and 4/26 for the general launch! You can find links to all three of my videos in the link in my profile. If you have questions, let me know!

#ecsquad #homeschool #homeschoolplanner #homeschoolmom #ECInsider #ECLP #ecdailyduo 
#ecplanner
#ecplannerlove #plannerbabe #plannergirl #erincondrenlifeplanner 
#planneraddict #plannercommunity #plannerlove #weloveec #weloveecweekly
#plannersofIG #plannersofinstagram
#wildforec #Lovemyplanner #plannerinspiration
I haven't been out in my garden since last fall. I haven't been out in my garden since last fall.  I am so pleased to see all of my garlic coming up!  Next up, planting peas 😊

#homeschool #homeschooling #homeschoolmom #homesteadjourneys #homesteading #growyourown #localfood #garlic
It's a #homemadebagels kind of day! #yum wish they It's a #homemadebagels kind of day! #yum wish they would last longer than a day 🤦🏼‍♀️🤣

#food #fromscratch #baking #bread #homeschool #homeschoollife #homeschoolmom
It's always nice when a.) your child chooses a res It's always nice when a.) your child chooses a research project topic you yourself love, and b.) she can do most of the research by looking on our own bookshelves 😊🤷🏼‍♀️

#homeschool #homeschooling #homeschoolhighschool #homeschoolprojects #chickens #homesteading #localfood #localliving #greenliving #bravelearner #projectbasedlearning
We are nearing the end of our homeschool year! So, We are nearing the end of our homeschool year! So, my planning day for March focused on making sure I know everything we need to finish up to be DONE! You can find my video to my planning day at the link in my description! How is your homeschool year going?

#homeschool #homeschooling #homeschoolmom #homeschoolplanning #homeschoolplanner #erincondren #ECSquad #planningday #sonlight #sonlightJ #homeschoolhighschool #homeschoolmiddleschool #homeschoolelementaryschool #homeschoolmomlife
I have a full walkthrough of the new @sonlightcurr I have a full walkthrough of the new @sonlightcurriculum #homeschoolplanner up on my YouTube channel. You can find the video at the link in my profile.

#homeschool #homeschooling #sonlight #sonlightstories #homeschoolmom #homeschoolplanning #homeschoolplanner #middleschool #elementaryschool #highschool #charlottemason #interestled
I got a lot of new @sonlightcurriculum books this I got a lot of new @sonlightcurriculum books this past weekend! So fun to go through a lot of new books and resources we will be using for next year. You can see the unboxing at the link in my profile!

#homeschool #homeschooling #sonlight #sonlightstories #sonlight300 #bravewriter #bravelearner #bravewriterlifestyle #bravelearnerlifestyle #homeschoolmom #homeschoolplanning #homeschoolplanner #homeschoolhighschool #charlottemason #interestled #bookstagram #books
Just pulled the rest of our books (minus Lucy's bo Just pulled the rest of our books (minus Lucy's books) for the rest of the semester! I'm excited to finish strong 😊

#homeschool #homeschooling #sonlight #sonlightstories #sonlightJ #historyofscience #bravewriter #bravelearner #bravewriterlifestyle #bravelearnerlifestyle #homeschoolmom #homeschoolplanning #homeschoolplanner #middleschool #elementaryschool #wildandfreechildren #charlottemason #interestled #bookstagram #books
What I am #reading on this snowy afternoon! #home What I am #reading on this snowy afternoon!

#homeschool #homeschooling #homeschoolhighschool #homeschooltranscripts #homeschoolplanning #homeschoolmom #homeschoollife #bookstagram #books #readersofinstagram
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Let’s Connect

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

what can i help you find?

Are you ready to cultivate simplicity in your home and homeschool?
Start with my easy guide to organize your homeschool curriculum.

  • About
  • Privacy Policy & Disclosure
  • Contact
  • Index

Copyright © 2022 · Heather · Townsend House · All Rights Reserved

Share
Pin
Tweet