Slowing Down As a Way to Joy
How other countries embrace the slow good life
It was another Substacker who had me contemplating my favorite ways to take the proverbial pause (…and dig through my photo archives to illustrate what that might look like).
In it, Ana Calin of “How We Grow,” made this short list of some of the ways other countries around the world enjoy the slow good life:
“In Romania, they say to drink tea and rest—because everything heals with time. 🍵
In Sweden, they practice “Fika”— pausing for coffee, cake, and connection. ☕
In Iceland, they head to geothermal baths to soak away the stress. 🛁
In France, they embrace long lunches, fresh air, and slow walks. 🥖
In Greece, they tell you to swim in the sea because saltwater cures all. 🌊
In Japan, they wander into the forest for “Shinrin-yoku”— forest bathing. 🌲
The world knows: Nature, slowness, and connection are the real healers.
It’s time to normalize rest, stillness, and being human again.”🌞1
…
I’ll take one of each!
Plus this one from my life in the slow lane these days:
In Mexico (as you can see from the photos and video below) friends and family enjoy a sit, a stroll, or an ice cream in the town square under the wafting sounds of church bells and Mariachi serenades.
Every day of the week!
…
In one sentence, how would you describe your slow good time?
Ahhh 🫶🏼
Life in the slow lane — the Mexico edition 🇲🇽
Let’s hear it for Mariachis!
Photos by Stephanie Bennett Vogt
Video
From yesterday’s footage: Just your average Thursday afternoon in the heart of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
Speaking of slowing down…
(In case you missed it)
Spacious Detachment
One of the benefits of slowing down is that it gives us space to practice that one thing we can all use more of: spacious detachment, which I would define simply as a way of being bigger than our fears and tears through the conscious act of observing them.
I like to sit on the back porch and breathe in the sea air. I'll take a cup of tea with me often. When I sit there the cats somehow know and come out from wherever they have been hiding and sit with me. Bliss
Some of my favorite slow moments are my times of connection with nature…watching the crows in my neighborhood have a chat or stopping to gaze at the moon while walking with a friend.