Slow living

Hand-operated washing machine

I firmly believe in slow living, that is to do things the slow way whether it is cooking or cultivating land or creating or producing, etc. I believe this is not only good for one own health, as when you live slow you take it easy and really enjoy life and food, but also it is good for the environment. Slow farming and producing means you plant only things that belong to your region, you plant only seasonal, you plant only a small field that can be harvested by hand. Slow living rejects all (or most) electric equipments that run on electricity or fuel.  

I have been embracing this style of living for  a long while now but I have to admit that I use a washing machine now (I lived without one for years) It is not mine and I'm determined that when I move to my tiny smallholding, I will get myself a hand-operated wonder wash (see photo above) I found this on a website and loved it. You just put your dirty clothes and water and soap (I will be using mine) and just crank that handle. I also do not have a dishwasher and will never have one. I do not own a fridge but I use one at the moment; I will not have one when I move out. Most of the kitchen gadgets I have, which are very few, are operated manually, like vegetable mill, a good wooden mortar for grinding spices, garlic or making pestos. I make everything manually by hand and very slowly :)

Slow living means you do things slowly and savour the moment; it means you take your time to do things and if you haven't finish your task, it is ok, you can finish it tomorrow. But what it is beautiful about slow living is that fact that you will be able to do everything and have time to rest and relax and enjoy life! How come if you do things manually? Because you are doing few things, because you own few clothes so you do not spend the whole day doing laundry, because you plant a small field, you do not spend many days harvesting your grains or veggies or fruit (just a day maybe or half a day); because you have few goats or sheep, you do not spend the whole day feeding them or milking them. You simply own few things and as a result, you spend less time working. 

The point is we need to slow down to protect this earth, we need to own few things to protect the earth, we need to do things manually, first to move our bodies, second to cut waste and dependency on fuel. Not only we will be saving mother earth but also saving money that we can put into a good cause, like sponsoring an orphan or rescuing, treating and feeding stray animals, etc. 

Slow living means you savour your food, you take your time growing it, cooking it and eating it. You become more aware of the beauty around you; you become more conscious and sensitive and more attentive to people and animals around you. 

Slow living is the key to all today's problems. No stress, no need for medication or visits to doctors or  gyms; no sick leaves; no breakdowns; no mood swings; no anger or road rages, no nothing. Just peaceful, harmonious and full life. 

Try it and you will not regret.