Is slow living just for rich people?

For the many or the few?

Hi lovely, I’m Aimée, a soulful copywriter . Here, on my Substack, I share seasonal tales from my little corner of the Cotswolds. I write about food, heritage, books, travel, creative living, and whimsical musings. Come on in, take off your boots, and cosy up by the fire. I’ll pop the kettle on.

I asked my community this question recently, and I received so many beautifully poignant replies about the complexities and accessibility of slow living. I’ve collated some of your answers and perspectives on what slow living means and how attainable it is.

Defining Slow Living

For

Jenna Nicole Stevens

, slow living is about meaningful choices and intentional living. Despite financial constraints, she enjoys working fewer hours to maintain her mental well-being. “I very much know the feeling of calculating purchases and often having to wait a few months to buy something I desire,” she shares. This careful consideration makes each purchase more meaningful.

Sarah Robertson

echoes this sentiment, focusing on awareness and alignment. “For me, it’s about being more conscious of my pace because I live with chronic illness and being more mindful of the choices I make in life and work... I’m determined to shape my work around my life.”

Christin from Bliss & Blunder adds another dimension, challenging the notion that slow living requires wealth: “I’m choosing to define it in my own way - being more intentional about my choices. I can slow down in ANY given moment just by tuning into my body and giving myself the space to take a deep breath. That has zero to do with privilege.”

Raine Sillito

adds to this, saying, “I far prefer the slow mornings with my children than hustling out at 6 am for a higher paying job.”

Together, these perspectives remind us that slow living is ultimately about finding balance and intentionality in our everyday lives, regardless of our financial circumstances. It's about harnessing the power of choice and making time for what truly matters.

The Privilege Perspective

Allegra Chapman

brings up a poignant observation, noting the inherent challenges of embracing slow living within our fast-paced, consumer-driven society. “I love the idea of slow, seasonal living, but it doesn't quite sit with the capitalist system that most of us have to survive within!” she muses. This gentle critique is echoed by

Carly Jacobs

, who acknowledges that choosing a slower, more intentional life over working/earning more leads to financial worry for many.

Polina

points out that certain aspects of slow living, like buying organic flour, are undeniably costly.

However, several voices in the Flourish & Fare community highlight that embracing slow living within financial constraints is possible by making conscious choices.

Claire Venus

describes her approach: “For me, slow living is more about what you choose to spend money on. We keep our living expenses low. Our apple and plum trees have given us an abundance of fruit each year, showing us that the real graft in slow living is having and making time to process them.”

Ultimately, it's about cherishing what holds meaning for us and weaving mindfulness and simplicity into our daily lives, showing that the essence of slow living transcends financial constraints and can be embraced by anyone seeking a deeper connection with life's rhythms.

Slow Living as a Mindset

Mel Parks

recalls her childhood in a council flat, emphasising that many slow-living practices—cooking from scratch, baking, repairing things, buying secondhand clothes, foraging, and creating community—can be accessible to all. “Anyone can slow down enough to notice and appreciate the vibrant yellow of a dandelion,” she says, showing that slow living doesn't necessitate expensive, artisanal products.

For

Fiona Pickles

slow living is learning skills like foraging, upcycling and minimalism: “These certainly helped me slow down and appreciate the small moments in life - learning to appreciate the small moments slowly.”

Rachel Shenk

echoes this, using creativity to slow down and appreciate beauty: “We’ve exchanged a life of living up to expectations for a life well-lived.”

In essence, these perspectives remind us that the essence of slow living lies in appreciating simplicity, fostering community, and embracing mindful practices that enrich our lives, regardless of our circumstances or resources.

Slow living can be anything you want it to be

The discussion reveals that financial security can facilitate a slow, simple life but is not a prerequisite. Slow living is as much about mindset and intentional choices as it is about resources. While some aspects may be more accessible with financial means, the core principles of slow living—mindfulness, intentionality, and appreciation of small moments—can be embraced by anyone, regardless of your financial situation.

Slow living is a multifaceted concept that can be adapted to fit various lifestyles and circumstances. As

Emily Male

describes: “I dont think it is an all encompassing ethos…but we find the ways we can bring it into our lives and look to it for guidance when we need to.”

Whether through making mindful financial decisions, prioritising mental health and family, or simply appreciating the beauty around us, the essence of slow living is available to all who seek it. It’s less about having and more about being present and intentional in our daily lives.

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Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences. A special thanks to

Faith Newton

Beth Morrow

Claire Amritavani Brown

Kate Reaume

Georgia Clare

The Creatrix

Carmen Luisa

Yaminah Reid

Doreen Beaumont

Kelsey Anderson

Tasha Goddard

Caitlin Gemmell

Ana Torradinhas

Holly A Brown

Taylor Maynard

The Winter Mother

Mindful Storytelling

Dr Vicki Connop

Megan Moran

Olivia Rohll