A fair few years ago, I thought I had it all figured out. I’d made a vow to slow down, to simplify, to live intentionally. I was going to build this beautiful, peaceful life where every moment was carefully curated, where every meal was from scratch, every chore was perfectly executed, and every season was embraced in its full, slow living glory.
Sounds dreamy, right?
But here’s the kicker: trying to create the perfect slow life made me feel anything but slow.
It was like I was chasing this ideal, this perfect picture of a slow life that I’d seen on Pinterest and Instagram, thinking that I could somehow embody it in my own life. I wanted to cultivate this utopia of peace, simplicity, and balance. But as much as I tried, the more I was running after this vision, the more stressed I felt.
The perfection I was striving for was becoming my own enemy.
It wasn’t until I let go of this idea of a perfect slow life that I began to feel the true magic of slowing down. And here’s why…
The Myth of the Perfect Slow Life
When I first started on my slow living journey, I imagined it like a beautifully curated Instagram feed, a life where every meal was perfectly plated, the house was always in perfect order, and every weekend was spent in quiet, reflective moments, sipping tea by the window with my children. I imagined waking up early, journaling, stepping out on my balcony, cooking wholesome meals from scratch, and somehow doing it all with an effortless grace.
But real life doesn’t work like that. Not at all.
The kids fight over whose turn it is to water the plants. The bread doesn’t always rise the way it should. The house gets messy (because we live in a 650 sq. ft home, and four people can make a lot of mess in a small space). And sometimes, I’m exhausted and just want to collapse on the sofa with a cup of coffee and not do anything.
I kept trying to fit into this ideal of slow living that seemed to be everywhere, yet it was only causing me more stress. The pressure to be "perfectly slow" was making me feel rushed, overwhelmed, and far from the peaceful, intentional life I longed for. I was caught in a cycle of chasing an unattainable dream, one that didn’t align with the messy, real, and imperfect nature of life itself.
I realised that my obsession with perfection was actually hindering my progress.
When I first started living more slowly, I was caught up in thinking that if I didn’t do everything "perfectly", whether it was making bread from scratch or having an ultra organised, minimalist home, I was somehow failing. But this mindset only held me back from fully embracing the beauty of simplicity. The pursuit of perfection was making me feel like I wasn’t enough.
Slow living isn’t about achieving perfection. It’s about finding balance, embracing the natural rhythms of life, and learning to slow down even when things feel chaotic. The more I tried to live perfectly, the less I enjoyed the moments that mattered. I stopped enjoying the process of making something by hand because I was too focused on how it "should" look in the end. I stopped appreciating the simplicity of quiet moments because I was busy trying to make those moments look perfect.
Embracing Imperfection: The Real Slow Life
When I stopped chasing the perfect slow life, everything changed. I began to embrace real, imperfect simplicity, and that’s where the magic happens.
It wasn’t about throwing the concept of slow living out the window. It was about shifting my mindset to focus on what truly mattered: creating space for the simple, joyful moments without the pressure of perfection. It was about slowing down in my own way, not someone else’s.
For me, this shift meant:
Letting go of unrealistic expectations: I stopped expecting everything to be perfect and started accepting that some days will be messier than others, some meals will flop, and that’s okay.
Reconnecting with the process: Instead of focusing on the end result, I started enjoying the process itself, whether it was baking sourdough bread or spending a quiet moment in the garden. I embraced the imperfections and found joy in the journey, not the destination.
Honouring my rhythms: I began listening to my own needs instead of following a strict "slow living" agenda. Some days, that meant resting, and others, it meant getting outside for a long walk or diving into a creative project. I allowed myself to flow with the seasons, my energy levels, and the needs of my family.
Finding peace in simplicity: I realised that simplicity didn’t have to be about having a perfect home or routine. It was about creating space, physically, mentally, and emotionally, for what truly mattered. I stopped over-scheduling myself and embraced the idea of doing less with more intention.
Letting go of comparison: I stopped comparing my life to the curated images on social media. I reminded myself that those "perfect" images are just snapshots of someone’s highlight reel, not a true reflection of everyday life. I began to appreciate my own imperfect journey.
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The Freedom in Imperfection
When I finally let go of my idea of the perfect slow life, I found a sense of freedom that I never expected. I wasn’t bound by the need to "do it all" or to live up to an ideal that was never going to be achievable. Instead, I started living more authentically, with less pressure and more joy.
The beauty of slow living, in its truest form, is in its simplicity and authenticity. It’s about living in a way that feels aligned with your own values and rhythms, not adhering to a rigid set of rules or ideals. When you stop chasing perfection, you make room for the moments that truly matter.
I’m still on this journey of slow living, and I’m still learning. But now, I’ve long made peace with the fact that it’s not about perfection, it’s about progress, presence, and embracing the imperfect beauty of life.
So, if you’re feeling the pressure to create the "perfect" slow life, I invite you to let go of that fantasy. Embrace the real, imperfect simplicity that comes with being human. Slow down, but don’t strive for perfection. Instead, strive for presence, joy, and balance and watch how your life begins to unfold in ways that feel meaningful and true to you.
You’re not failing if your life isn’t perfect. You’re living. And that’s more than enough.
I hope this resonates with you. If you’ve ever found yourself caught in the cycle of perfectionism, I’d love to hear about how you’ve embraced the messiness of life.
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