Slowness is the forgotten dimension to time. Unlike chronological time, it is non-linear, time here and now, time that works for you, extraordinary time. So why be fast when you can be slow? Slowness is also about balance, so if you must hurry, then hurry slowly. — Geir Berthelsen

Slow movement is a cultural shift towards slowing down life’s pace, and escaping the haste of our fast-paced world. This movement could not feel more appropriate to embody with the changes that have happened over the past year. It has given us the time to reflect on our day to day lives, and understand how our actions impact our surrounding environment.

 This social change revolves around getting back to basics and focusing on the home. We are finding more importance in improving our balance between leisure and work, and down shifting our lives to a simpler way of living.

The simplicities of life often seem to dissolve, as we forget to prioritise the importance of personal connections with family and friends, or putting time aside to grow our own food, or design and build an item from scratch. As a fast-paced society we forget to slow down and enjoy the process of making and creating.

 The slow movement culture also encourages carefully curated design. Design needs thought, process and time behind it in order to be successful and last the test of time. We must consider this as consumers through our purchasing decisions. Impulse buying often leads to regretful purchasing, and products going straight into landfill. It is important to carefully consider what items you would truly love, and perhaps it is essential to leave a space empty until you have found exactly what you are looking for, or until you can save up to purchase your dream piece. Through slowing down our purchasing we will have more appreciation for the items we have taken the time to select.

The same belief can be applied when designing and curating your home space. Choosing simplistic and timeless designs with long lasting materials can be opted over trend-based purchases. Through doing this we can build a space that truly reflects one’s self, over the ever-changing trends that come and go. The aspect of slow living gives us time to reflect and redefine our home spaces, so we can enjoy them for years to come. 

 Written by: Sophie Newton