Earlier this month I had the chance to go back home for more than a week to spend some time with family and friends. It wasn’t a holiday, as I still had to work in UK time. I say family and friends, but most of the time I was actually just spending time with myself because my friends had to work during the day, and I had to work at night. Having “me time” doesn’t mean you’re lonely. In fact, it gave me the space to relax and think about what I really enjoy. Overall, I really enjoyed the slow life in my hometown. I wanted to write about this to remind myself that a slow life can actually be rather good.
Mornings: Sunrise and Slow Walks
I woke up quite early, out of habit, and got to enjoy the sunrise. I wandered around the town centre, taking in the lovely morning view before it got too hot. I walked around the central market and strolled slowly to the temple. On some days, I simply sat in the park and watched the sunrise.
Afternoons: Gym, Sweat, and Iced Coffee
I went to the gym for an hour of weightlifting. The heat, the gym sweat, and a cup of iced coffee afterwards gave me a real lift. I loved this routine, and it made me feel good. I also did a lot of walking, as I helped a friend walk her dog in the afternoons.
Evenings: Local Food and Quiet Work
Before starting work remotely, I ate healthy local food and had light desserts, such as tofu pudding or coconut water, to keep me going through the night.
A Place for Retirement, Reconsidered
There isn’t much to do in this small town, and life here is genuinely slow. Many people say it’s a place for retirement. I used to dislike my birthplace because there wasn’t much to do, but this time, even without much to do or any real plans, I enjoyed simply experiencing the slow life, the nature, and the organic food.
What a Good Life Really Needs
Many people seem to think that a good, happy life needs a certain set of criteria or a list of things you own. This slow life taught me that you can have a good, happy life with just good mobility, meaning being able to move around, and enough food to eat. I think we should all be grateful. If you ever get the chance to try slow living, it might be worth it.
