Slow living or the art of slowing down

This text is part of the special book Plaisirs

In a society dominated by immediacy, pressure and performance, saying to yourself “Now I’m slowing down” seems illusory. However, more and more voices are calling for this break, or at least to be able to slow down the breathless pace of everyday life. Some have even made it a way of life, without giving up their activities. So how can we define and, above all, adopt the slow living when everything continues to stir around us?

At first glance, Maxime Morin is nothing slow. She is an actress, teaches yoga and meditation, runs the clothing company pink buddha, has two children and animals. Her daily life is therefore full, but for several years she has decided to live it according to the principles of slow living.

What does that mean, exactly? “There is no clear definition of this movement,” she replies. Contrary to what many people think, the slow living, it’s not moving to the bottom of the woods, sniffing minimalism, having a feng shui decoration and not working. Only pensioners and psychopop devotees associate this sort of thing with slow living. For me, it’s more of a state of mind that goes beyond a meditation session. It’s learning to question yourself in order to choose your priorities, to reconnect to the present moment and to your inner being. »

Being rather than doing

Slowing down, marketing specialist Karine St-Germain Blais, who nevertheless admits to living at 100 an hour, has for her part succeeded in doing so for six years. She has also been feeding a blog since then, Live in slowin which she shares her vision of slow livingwhich in his eyes is allied with ecological, local values ​​and voluntary simplicity.

“We tend to forget ourselves too much in our life modeled around productivity,” she says. So I decided to choose myself, not to run away from my responsibilities, but on the contrary to be present and aware of what I’m doing, rather than being tossed about like a leaf in the wind. As I wrote on my blog, I am therefore slow life, slow food, slow all ! »

Such principles are attractive in theory, but how do they translate in practice? Karine indicates that, for example, if you have to go to a doctor’s appointment, you can choose to take your car or your bike. “The car will be a priori faster, but by taking a breath of fresh air and enjoying the scenery, I’ll be much more rested when I get to the doctor. So, in the end, the bike saved me time, not lost it. »

The blogger also advises integrating the slow living in our lives doing things we love. She grows herbs, consumes locally, buys less but better. “In winter, you can also adopt certain elements of the hyggelike taking baths, surrounding yourself with candles, indulging in reading,” she says.

For his part, Maxime Morin, who has authored two complete books on the slow living, Let’s go, we slow down and The little house (the latter, written with his sister Cathia, was published in 2022), favors his family life and his values. “Sometimes the laundry is waiting to be folded because I preferred to play Lego with my children. I also allow myself to refuse an invitation or to say no if I think it will not do me any good, she confides. the slow living is a personal approach, which wants us to position ourselves. Every time we have a choice to make, we have to ask ourselves questions. Do I need to move to a new house? Do I want this promotion? Did I have fun today? From the moment you become aware of your choices and feel good about them, stress disappears, and with it anxiety and regrets. »

January, the new month of “slow living”

As Rose Buddha embodies in his eyes the way of life slow dear to him — this clothing and product company specializes in well-being and sustainable fashion — Maxime Morin decided to use this showcase to launch the very first month of slow living in Quebec.

“January is often the month of resolutions and challenges. I therefore rather propose, with several partners who share my values, an anti-challenge, that of removing yourself from the pressure and committing, for a month, to choosing yourself,” she explains.

To help those interested (Rose Buddha’s clientele is above all female) to achieve their goals, a box containing material to do good every day can be ordered online. “She’ll be your best friend for a month!” launches the entrepreneur. It includes a bubble bath, a candle, infusions and delicacies. In short, something to slow down and spoil yourself. »

M^me Morin also designed a series of 30 Post-its to fill out in less than two minutes and post each day to accompany the participants. Here are some examples: “Today I feel…”, “I want my mornings to be…”, “I am grateful for…”, “What am I saying no to from now on? “, etc.

As she explains, “these little messages allow us to question ourselves and to see, at the end of the month, the progress we have made. All this in joy, because it is out of the question to feel guilty if we do not manage to slow down on certain days”.

An approach with which Karine St-Germain Blais is perfectly in agreement. “You don’t have to have an Instagrammable home to join the slow living. Nor is it forbidden to eat fast food. Above all, be kind to yourself and stop aiming for perfection. “Very inspiring words.

This special content was produced by the Special Publications team of the To have to, pertaining to marketing. The drafting of To have to did not take part.

This special content was produced by Le Devoir’s special publications team, reporting to marketing. The editorial staff of Le Devoir did not take part.

To see in video