How Slow Living Helped Me Heal: My Journey to a Simpler, More Intentional Life

Thank you so much for being here. I’m excited to know that there are more people, than just myself, who are interested in a slow way of living.

Let me explain what brought me here . . .

2024 was one of THE hardest years for me, personally. While there weren’t really any “outside” tragedies, or anything like that, there was a LOT going on inside.

I had been experiencing a fairly long mid-life crisis.

First, it was around the physical changes in my looks. I began noticing more wrinkles, it took more to cover my greys, etc.

Then . . .

My body started to FEEL old.

It ached.

It was stiff.

I felt like the tin man!

All of this FORCED me to look within.

FORCED me to slow down.

I couldn’t run from myself any longer.

While I feel I’ve always had a pretty deep connection to my intuition, this slowing down enhanced it by leaps and bounds.

Something within me just KNEW that I had to start processing some old wounds. I had to stop running from my emotions. I had to heal.

Enter somatic yoga.

I was drawn to sign up for my second advanced 300 hour yoga teacher training focusing on somatic yoga therapy. Even though I was mainly doing this for myself, not really to use it to teach others, I didn’t expect the massive emotional upheaval it would create.

I’m not trying to scare you and I don’t think somatic yoga will have the same effect for every person however, I do know what effect it had on me and suffice it to say . . .

It was life changing.

But at first, it felt life shattering.

I honestly didn’t know what was happening. I didn’t KNOW work was being done deep within me. I couldn’t logically process anything.

I couldn’t THINK my way out of it this time.

F*&$.

Then what was I supposed to do? The only thing I COULD do was FEEL. I couldn’t run. I couldn’t think. I just had to FEEL.

Definitely not something I was used to.

Honestly, I was used to running from my emotions - the deep ones anyway. You know, those emotions connected to traumas? Yeah, those.

For years, I used alcohol to run from these emotions. But, I realized, there are MANY other things we use to run away.

To numb.

To hide.

Right now, I have over 1000 days alcohol-free, which, for me, is pretty amazing. And now that I’ve done the healing that I have, I no longer pine for a drink - and THAT is even MORE amazing. To NOT want a drink? Whoa. But I know EXACTLY where that will lead me. I know how I’ll feel about myself. I know that one will turn into 4, 5, 6, or more. I know that it will push me further away from the kind of life I want to live. Away from the person I want to be.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not perfect and I still struggle with other things. For example, I do find myself being an on and off cigarette smoker. I find the urge to smoke becomes unbearable around times of very specific emotional turmoil and, instead of dealing with it, I numb it with cigarettes. While this doesn’t happen often, when it does, I tend to continue smoking for at least a month before quitting again - which I’m sure is actually harder than actually just quitting for good! Maybe part of me feels like I deserve being put through THAT?

Huh. That’s interesting. I never actually even thought of that until right now. Ha! That’s the power of writing - stream of consciousness-style!

Anyway, I do believe that urge will also go away, just like the urge to drink has, once that part of me has healed enough. And, until then, I am going to be compassionate toward myself (a new thing I’ve been trying for the last couple of years).

So how does all of this tie into slow living?

Well, it’s because what started to happen, as all these emotions came up, was that it triggered an existential crisis. I had thoughts going through my mind like “what’s the freaking point”? And no, I wasn’t suicidal. But I DO think thoughts like that and NOT being suicidal can coexist.

This question was a good one though. And, while super annoying and frustrating - it WAS pivotal.

I used to be scared of “dark nights of the soul” but what I realized is that sometimes, you just NEED them in order to completely shake things up. To help you re-evaluate who you are, your life, and how you want to live. And if we don’t face our stuff, if we continue to push it down, we won’t ever get to the point where our lives can change - for the better.

You know, change in a way where you’re living a life in alignment with who you truly are. Not the life you THOUGHT you wanted. Not the life that you want OTHERS to THINK you have. Not a life based on how it’s perceived.

But a life based on . . .

Passion.

Inspiration.

Joy.

And what BRINGS us those things?

Connection.

Finding pleasure and beauty in the every day things. In the things you already have. In where you already live.

Yes, it’s lovely to travel. It can be necessary AND fun to purchase new things.

But, the key is to NOT be attached to those things.

To be content with what you have.

When you make every day things more intentional, you create more beauty, more joy, and more inner peace.

And THAT is what slow living means to me.

So, my aim with this blog is to come together with each other in this journey. It’s fairly new to me too! I’m no expert. But I do feel I have found some slow and simple ways of living that I’d like to share and, at the same time, I’d love to learn from you as well!

Here’s to growing AND slowing together,

What is Slow Living? A Guide to Embracing a Simpler, More Intentional Life

Not too long ago, my life felt like a never-ending to-do list. I was always rushing—always feeling like I needed to be doing something. Slowing down? That felt impossible. But eventually, life had other plans for me, and I found myself craving something different. Something softer. Something more intentional.

Something with more, well, ease.

That’s when I discovered slow living—not as a trend, but as a way of life.

Honestly, I HAD to do it. For my sanity.

And let me tell you, it changed everything.

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or just disconnected from the life you’re living, slow-living might be exactly what you need. So let’s talk about it—what it is, what it isn’t, and how you can start embracing a slower, more intentional way of life today.

So, What is Slow Living?

At its core, slow living is about being present. It’s about stepping away from the pressure to rush through life and instead, savoring the little moments. It’s choosing quality over quantity, presence over productivity, and simplicity over excess.

For me, slow-living looks like:

➽ Baking from scratch with local ingredients
➽ Sipping my coffee or tea without checking my phone
➽ Reading a book just because it feels good
➽ Tending to my little garden or homesteading projects
➽ Sitting outside and actually feeling the sun on my skin

It’s not about being lazy or doing nothing. It’s about choosing what really matters and letting the rest fall away.

What Slow Living Isn’t

Let’s clear something up—slow-living doesn’t mean you have to move to a farm, quit your job, or completely change your life overnight (though, if that’s your dream, go for it!). You can practice slow-living wherever you are, in whatever season of life you’re in.

It also doesn’t mean you have to be perfectly minimalist, only eat organic, or wake up at 5 AM to meditate. Slow-living is personal. It’s about what makes YOU feel grounded and at peace.

It’s not about following someone ELSE’S rules. It’s about making your own.

How to Start Embracing Slow-Living

If you’re craving a slower, more intentional life, here are a few ways to get started:

☼ Start with Slow Sundays – Dedicate one day (or even a few hours) to slowing down. Cook a homemade meal, go for a walk, take a long bath—anything that helps you pause and breathe.

☼ Do One Thing at a Time – Multitasking keeps us in a constant state of stress. Try focusing on one thing at a time—whether that’s drinking your coffee without distraction or truly listening when someone talks.

☼ Simplify Your Space – A cluttered home can make your mind feel cluttered too. Start small—maybe clear off your kitchen counter or create a cozy corner just for you.

☼ Connect with Nature – Even if you live in a city, step outside. Feel the breeze, listen to the birds, watch the leaves move in the wind. Nature has a way of reminding us to slow down.

☼ Savor the Process – Whether you’re baking, gardening, or just making your bed—focus on the process, not just the outcome. That’s where the magic happens.

Slow Living is a Journey, Not a Destination

I won’t pretend I have this all figured out. Some days, I still catch myself rushing through things, mindlessly scrolling, or feeling that urge to be productive. But the beauty of slow-living is that it’s always there, waiting for me to return to it.

If you’re feeling the pull to slow down, I hope you give yourself permission to do it—however that looks for you.

Have you tried slow living? Or are you just getting started? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear from you.

Here’s to growing & slowing together,

A Slow Sunday: Baking Lavender Scones & Embracing Slow-Living

There’s something special about a slow Sunday—a day to linger a little longer over coffee, to move at an unhurried pace, and to truly soak in the simple pleasures of life. It’s the perfect day for slow-living, for savoring each moment rather than rushing through a to-do list.

For me, baking has always been one of those grounding rituals that reminds me to slow down. The way flour dusts my hands, the gentle rhythm of kneading, the anticipation as the kitchen fills with warmth and the scent of lavender—it’s a meditative practice. A reminder that not everything in life has to be instant.

One of my favorite things to bake on a slow Sunday are sweet treats. Today I chose to make lavender scones. Lightly sweet with a hint of floral earthiness, they feel like a treat without being overly fussy all while bringing in some remembrance of summer even in these cold temps. When I can, I love using local ingredients—artisanal bread flour, honey from a nearby farm, dried lavender from last summer’s harvest, and (when in season) fresh blueberries from a local farm. These small choices connect me to the land, the seasons, and the natural rhythm of life.

Baking as a Slow-Living Ritual

Slow-living isn’t about doing everything slowly—it’s about doing things with intention. It’s about finding joy in simple acts, like stirring a pot of tea, watching the sun rise, or baking a batch of homemade scones.

Baking, in particular, is a beautiful practice in mindfulness. You can’t rush it. You have to measure, mix, wait. It’s a reminder that good things take time—something we often forget in a world that glorifies busyness.

These lavender scones can serve as a little weekend ritual, especially on a slow Sunday when we may have time to truly enjoy the process. They’re egg-free, easy to make, and topped with a soft blue glaze, thanks to a hint of pea protein powder.

I hope you take the time to bake these, to enjoy the process, and maybe even to share them with someone you love.

If you’d like to see these scones in action, check out my latest YouTube video above.

Egg-Free Lavender Scones with a Pea Protein Glaze

Ingredients:

• 2 cups (240g) all-purpose or artisan bread flour (local if possible)

• 2 tbsp dried culinary lavender

• ¼ cup (50g) organic cane sugar or honey

• 1 tbsp baking powder

• ½ tsp salt

• ½ cup (113g) cold unsalted butter (or plant-based butter)

• ½ cup (120ml) whole milk or plant-based milk (like oat or almond)

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• Optional: ½ cup frozen blueberries (if in season)

For the Glaze:

• ½ cup (60g) powdered sugar

• 1 tbsp pea protein powder (optional; for a subtle blue tint)

• 2-3 tbsp milk of choice

• ½ tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat & Prepare
   Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Mix the Dry Ingredients
   In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, dried lavender, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

3. Cut in the Butter
   Using a pastry cutter (or your fingers), cut the cold butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.

4. Combine the Wet Ingredients
   In a small bowl, mix the milk and vanilla extract. Gradually pour into the dry mixture, stirring gently until just combined. If using frozen blueberries, fold them in at this stage.

5. Shape & Cut
   Lightly flour a surface and turn the dough onto it. Pat it into a 1-inch thick circle and cut into 6-8 wedges.

6. Bake
   Place the scones on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 18-22 minutes, until lightly golden on the edges.

7. Make the Glaze
   While the scones cool, whisk together the powdered sugar, pea protein, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled scones.

8. Enjoy Slowly
   Serve with a warm cup of tea, breathe deeply, and savor each bite.

Savoring a Slow Sunday

Baking is a simple but meaningful way to embrace slow-living—especially on a slow Sunday when there’s nowhere to be but here. These small rituals nourish us in ways that go beyond food. They remind us to pause, to breathe, to be present.

So here’s to slowing down, to baking with intention, and to finding joy in the everyday. Let me know if you try these scones—I’d love to hear how they turned out for you!

Here’s to growing & slowing together,