This voiceover is an audio version of my Slow Sunday Letter below. It is unedited, so may have some stutters, imperfections, and background noise. I hope you enjoy listening to it anyway!
Welcome to Generosity of Spirit, a gentle community for YOU. We find pockets of time for slow & gentle living, books, writing, journaling & life affirming work. You are so welcome here in our cosy space, grab a cuppa & stay a while... 🐢🙏📚☕💌
In this week’s Slow Sunday Letter 💌 I would like to explore some hobbies that compliment slow & gentle living. Making time for hobbies is one of the hardest parts of having a hobby. Even when compiling this list… I was reminded of so many things I enjoy doing but seldom make time for. To stay consistent is tough, especially when so many other things seem to take precedence, how quickly we throw out the hobbies that make us feel happy, at peace, content and creative.
Today, I wanted to take you through some of my favourite hobbies that compliment a slower life and I hope this letter inspires you (and me!) to spend some time today, or in the next week doing something that makes you feel good.
So grab a cuppa, get cosy and let’s get started …
As it is the fifth Sunday of the month next week, there will be no Slow Sunday Letter 💌 next weekend. I will meet you back here on Sunday 6th September for Book Lover’s Chat 📚. My Slow & Steady Members 🐢 will receive their exclusive letter centred on the theme CREATIVITY on Wednesday 2nd September!
“The slow living lifestyle fits well with hobbies that incorporate an element of mindfulness — creative hobbies such as arts, crafts, designing, baking or music all fit this category well… The attention to detail required for these hobbies requires us to bring our focus into the present moment. We can then find ourselves fully immersed in the task, enjoying the process - instead of rushing to complete it.”
Eloise Skinner, But Are You Alive?: How to Design a Life Worth Living
“For fast acting relief, try slowing down.” Lily Tomlin
Slow living is a way of life that is centred around taking your time and enjoying the present moment.
It’s about slowing down your pace and appreciating the little things in life.
Slow living is all about disconnecting from the world, and reconnecting with yourself.
It’s about finding a healthy balance between doing and being.
It’s about taking the time to enjoy life’s simple pleasures and living at your own pace.
Hobbies play a crucial role in our relaxation and well-being. They provide an escape from the demands of daily life and allow us to engage in activities that bring us joy, and a sense of accomplishment. Hobbies can help us unwind, reduce stress and improve our mental health. They provide a creative outlet, boost our self-esteem and allow us to explore new interests and passions. Engaging in hobbies also promotes a healthy work-life balance and helps us recharge and rejuvenate.
The best slow living hobbies are ones that are done intentionally. Instead of going through the motions to get something done, you’re focused on the process of the actual doing. Being present in the moment.
I want to make more time for my hobbies, not only because they get me off my phone and away from screens but also because they make my soul happy ✨ .
Before we get started … ask yourself the following questions:
Do I enjoy the outdoors, or am I more of a homebody?
Would I rather create something or learn something?
What supplies and equipment do I already have?
Where do I seek out inspiration?
Where or when do I feel most at peace?
Who do I admire? Why?
Is there anything you have always wanted to learn, make or do but never started/thought you couldn’t?
I hope you are enjoying this Slow Sunday Letter 📚💌 It is my pleasure to bring these as a free offering to you each week.
You can support my work by buying me a coffee following the link below ☕️ . I’m so grateful for your company and support. Thank you 🙏
Two of my favourite hobbies will come as no surprise, reading and journaling . Both are powerful hobbies that can transport us to different worlds, introduce us to new ideas and help us gain insight into our own thoughts and emotions.
Spending some time on either activity offers a gentle escape, and gives us an opportunity to explore and learn. Both reading and journaling/writing promote self-reflection, self-discovery and personal growth and are an essential part of my creative and slow life.
The first Sunday of every month, I publish Book Lovers Chat 📚 a cosy letter, all about books and reading. I share what I have read each month with book reviews and star ratings. I also share bookstack recommendations and so much more!
My husband and I are new allotment holders this year. Allotment holders with absolutely zero experience, so we are learning as we go!!! There have already been plenty of mistakes, moments of confusion and far more googling than I expected, but there is something incredibly satisfying about growing even the smallest thing yourself. Every time we have a new harvest I get so excited! I love that gardening encourages you to get outside and slow down. We have lots of hopes and dreams for the allotment as it evolves, and so far we are loving the slow process of transforming it.
Cooking and baking are also wonderful activities that sit well within slow and gentle Living. I am never happier than when I am in the kitchen preparing a meal or trying out a new recipe. Gardening and cooking give us some time for reflection, alongside gentle movement which engages the senses.
Seasonal living and slow living compliment each other so well, and gardening and cooking are both wonderful examples of how. I enjoy the almost instinctive choice in the warmer months to eat more fresh foods, to enjoy more salads/lighter meals, or eat outside and cook alfresco. And then in turn, the colder months in which we crave more warming, hearty and comforting meals.
Art has long been recognised as a powerful form of self-expression and a means of finding inner peace. Engaging in painting or drawing is a calming experience, allowing us to release emotions, quiet our minds and tap into our creative side. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or a beginner, the act of putting brush to canvas or pencil to paper can be a wonderful hobby.
Painting or drawing doesn’t require any special talent or expensive materials. All you need is a desire to create and express yourself. I don’t have any artistic ‘talent’ as such, but I have always enjoyed creating - I love colouring books and I have even tried starting a junk journaling this year. I just love it.
My favourite colouring books by Johanna Basford
Start by experimenting with different mediums, such as watercolours, acrylics, or just colouring pencils. I recently treated myself to some watercolours and took a couple of Skillshare classes (a creative learning space) for beginners and really enjoyed learning a new skill.
Art and creative hobbies help us let go of any expectations or judgements and encourage us to simply enjoy the process of creating. Colouring, painting or drawing are wonderful hobbies to cultivate, giving into play and gentle ‘low stakes’ creativity.
I began knitting for the first time last year and it is now one of my favourite hobbies to do at home. It is such a lovely cosy distraction, and it doesn’t take long to master the basic knit stitch. While I don’t knit too much over the warmer months, I am looking forward to doing more as we move into Autumn and Winter.
All you need to knit is a ball of wool/yarn and a pair of knitting needles. If you’re new to knitting, you can find many tutorials and guides online. I got started after being gifted a kit from Wool and the Gang, and I really recommend them if you are totally new to knitting or crochet, or would like a little more structure or guidance. Their YouTube videos are brilliant too.
Movement of all kinds is good for your mind, body and spirit. I must admit I have never been one for rigorous exercise, but I do love walking and I’ve recently enjoyed the challenge of hiking and nature walks.
Any time spent outside is time well spent in my book. Immersing yourself in the great outdoors is good for the soul. These activities encourage you to slow down, appreciate natural beauty, and breathe in the fresh air.
Yoga and meditation are also powerful practices that promote relaxation, mindfulness, and overall well-being. I have started practicing yoga more regularly this year, and I have been loving how it makes me feel, from the inside, out.
Yoga combines gentle movements, breathwork and mindfulness to create the perfect slow practice that nurtures both the body and mind. It helps release tension, improve flexibility and strength, and cultivate a sense of inner peace. Meditation, on the other hand, involves sitting in stillness and observing the breath or focusing the mind on a specific object or mantra. A regular practice of meditation will help ground and focus you on the present, reduces stress, whilst cultivating a sense of self and calm.
🤔 Did you know - I post every Sunday and you can subscribe now to make sure you get every letter…
The first Sunday of every month, I publish Book Lovers Chat 📚 a cosy letter, all about books and reading. I share what I have read each month with book reviews and star ratings. I also share bookstack recommendations and so much more!
The following Sunday, I publish A Writer’s Life ✍️ where I share various insights into creative living, writing and mindful creativity.
The next two Sunday’s I publish Slow Sunday Letters 💌 where we explore slow and gentle living and how it can inspire and guide your life.
If you want even more…
The first Wednesday of every month I release an exclusive letter, for my paid community - Slow & Steady 🐢 it is a cosy and gentle space, and together we are making our through the year being guided by gentle rhythms and seasonal living.
If you have any questions, just drop me a message !
I hope you enjoyed this Slow Sunday Letter 💌 . Spending time doing things you love is so important and truly nourishing. If you are thinking about a starting a new hobby, let this be your sign to go for it! By incorporating calming hobbies into your life and embracing a slower pace, you can create space for relaxation, self-reflection, and personal growth.
So, grab your favourite book, journal, gardening tools, apron, knitting needles or yoga mat - it’s time to slow down, unwind, and embrace the beauty of slow living.
As it is the fifth Sunday of the month next week, there will be no Slow Sunday Letter 💌 next weekend. I will meet you back here on Sunday 6th September for Book Lover’s Chat 📚. My Slow & Steady Members 🐢 will receive their exclusive letter centred on the theme CREATIVITY on Wednesday 2nd September!
Thank you for being here,
If you enjoyed this post, found it useful or want to help me spread the word about how enriching Slow & Gentle Living can be, please do like/leave a comment or share/restack to help others discover Generosity of Spirit. Thank you for reading!
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