Slow Holiday Living

Hey friends! Just sending a quick note to remind everyone to make time for nothing this holiday season. Allow yourself some time to just be. Be lazy on the couch. Sleep a little longer. Cook a little slower. I know that many of us are rushing around this time of year, and I also understand that many of you have tons of things that need to get done. But here’s a little secret…

If you rest more, you are more likely to have the energy you need to tackle your to-do list. See it as investing in yourself. You give yourself a little more peace and stillness, and your body will thank you by being a lot more efficient when doing the things you have planned on your schedule. And not only will it be efficient – It will also be super happy! And you and your body deserve that.

If it still feels hard to just be lazy on the couch, Lauren and I have some tips for things you can do as a therapeutic slowing down practice over the holidays. Or just for life in general. Ok here we go!

1. Slow-brewing or slow-stewing. You don’t have to be a master chef to do this. It doesn’t need to be either very hard or expensive. But gather some recipes for winter stews for instance. There tons of good ones out there with roasted root veggies that can sit and simmer on the stove for hours. Or try a homemade vegetarian chili! As a matter of fact, Lauren and I should share our favourite vegetarian chili recipe with you guys soon. I just need to adjust some little elements first! Or try making Swedish Glögg! It’s easy-peasy and so super cozy and good to drink this time of year. But anyhow. The idea is that you give yourself time in the kitchen. Do everything with intention. Stir the pot while also being present, knowing that you are stirring the pot. Chop the vegetables fully present, in your body. Smell the aromas and feel the produce in your hands. Being mindful and present will automatically slow you down.

2. Books. We all know it. But we forget. Let’s try to remind each other of the magic of books. Being transformed in time and place. It’s like traveling into someone else’s time and mind, without having to actually leave your couch. So YES. Lauren and I will dedicate a significant chunk of our holidays this year to reading. Hope you will do the same.

3. Enjoying a home spa. We’re back again to allowing yourself to take your time. You can create a full on spa vibe right at home in your own bathroom, where you can pause and rest. Dim the lights. Light candles. Drop some lavender essential oils into the bathwater or diffuser. Scrub yourself with intention with homemade honey-sugar scrub (it’s literally only honey and sugar + some water depending on the thickness you want). It’s so easy but feels so good.

4. Walk without a mission or time frame. Here’s a big one for us! We love this activity but unfortunately, we do it way too rarely. I almost always go on walks with a goal, like a power walk to the pier back and forth. Or a walk to the coffee shop and back. If I don’t have a mission for my walk, I’m usually on a timeline. Needing to be back by a certain time or having to check my watch to not stay out for too long. One of the most liberating things we can do, is to let our bodies steer us an lead the way. It sounds so easy, yet we almost never do it. Step outside your door in cozy, warm clothes and take yourself on a completely self-guided tour. Let your intuition guide you. I think we’re all in need of more intuitive living.

5. Board games or puzzles. As much as we love technology and all the millions of cool things we can do on our screens, we are super aware of the importance to take screen breaks. This holiday we’ll be playing board games and doing puzzles. It’s something so connecting with gathering around a physical table and share the experience. Even if you’re solo. Lauren is a huge fan of gigantic, tricky puzzles so I usually opt out after a while. But she feels so present and calm sitting there on her own for days and working on that puzzle. It’s something therapeutic about doing things with our hands. It also takes more time which helps us come back to our bodies and calm down.

If you have any other ideas on slowing down practices we all can do to stay connected, please leave a comment below. We’d love to hear your tips and tricks!

xx
Lisa