Yes! You could totally make a slow living series and I’m sure so many would watch it! I think we are all striving to slow down and enjoy life with loved ones. With the world the way it is right now, we all need a lesson in peace ❤️ I would love to see more in depth videos about how slow living is practiced in your life, and ways you’ve simplified. Or even productivity or life beliefs you no longer agree with
I am almost 66 and I’m only learning now how to slow down. I’ve been retired for a while now, so you would think I could do slow living…. I feel a lot of the pressure and anxiety we feel is more to do with how we think we should be, how media portrays even us oldies, and I’m sorry to say, a feeling of “making the most” of the years I have left. I feel pressure to put so much into my day… play golf/go on trips/fulfill your bucket list/hikes/do the Camino/run a marathon….. these are just a few of the things my community are doing…. And I want to sit peacefully, listen to music, watch a movie, read my book, go for a swim and see my family and friends. So why do I feel I’m “wasting” my time? Thanks for your insights, I’m so impressed that you can see what you need to do at such a young age. All the best!
thank you so much for sharing this!! that makes so much sense, and how lovely that youv'e been able to recognize your slower desires in life - but also wild how we've made those beautiful things out to be "wasting time"? wishing you so much peace in this season!
I’m 74, and still trying to find myself as well. Slow living does not equate to “wasting the time we have,” but rather savoring every moment. At least that’s what I’m working on. So I’m there with you, listening to music, watching sunsets, still growing, still thriving. ❤
@@julienelson8162 thank you! I love what you say about savoring every moment! What that moment is, is different for all of us. But I love taking my time instead of being in a frenetic hurry! Best wishes to you!
Thank you for being honest about this while admitting your age. I sm 61 years old and thought I was the only one feeling this way! Thanks to you and the other ladies' commets, I feel so much better about my similar feelings. I am now also taking a few steps back and trying to stop rushing through life. There is an old story called "When Queens Ride By" that tells a tale about slowing life down and actually having more time. It's s wonderful story set back during older times.
@@maryhoyt2609 I’m so glad you found this helpful! It’s wonderful for me to see I’m not the only one too and hopefully this gives the younger generation reading this some advice going forward. We tend to think - “When I’m 30/40/50/60/etc I will be able to do this or that” but now is the time.
All I can say, I was your age once, I blinked and my journey is almost over. I know I looked for that “something”, pivotal moment, that says yes, I made it, goal accomplished BUT, I never knew what that actually was. It’s been an endless search what will mean I made something for myself? What defines that? I too, have burn out, doubts, self-worth. Did I add value to someone else, did I do myself justice? I’m not forcing it anymore, but embracing each day as a new opportunity to enjoy myself. Life is so short!
After living with chronic pain for 50+ years one of the things I struggle with the most is the truth that I am not what I accomplish. Thanks for sharing and encouraging me to be true to me.
Hi ! I’ve been living the slow life for about 10 years now ! I pulled my son out of public school , quit my job, quit our church, sold everything we had, moved in with mother-in-law so that we could get out of debt save up enough money to purchase our home with cash!! we live like no other so now that we can live like no other!! we’ve been in our new home for four years now with no mortgage!! ❤ I tell everyone my favorite day is a boring day!! They are the best! There’s nothing better than waking up and having no schedule and being financial free burden . Having time to love on my family there’s so many corners inside of a day that if you’re not slow enough, you will miss them !! I love the thought of digital detox that is my goal this year! Thank you for your video. Thank you for sharing new to your channel. Just found you today.❤
I’m 67 and have many boring days and I love it! It took some time to realize a simpler, slower life is wonderful. I’m now studying piano and can put in a substantial amount of time to this hobby. Life is good!
I am 64, had 4 children, 2 husband's which the 1st one was an alcoholic, divorced him, an abuser and my 2nd is really a good man we have been together for over 30 years. Life for me was very stressful as working to make a living raise kids all gave me a hard time and glad that are adults and all Gone.. lifetime of cooking cleaning paying bills too much for me and going crazy , now I am retired and I love the peace and quiet life, truly a luxury and I appreciate life more... I can breath again!! Blessings to you ❤
Our Creator knew we would need a time to slow down and rest. That’s why he made the seventh day a day for us to rest from all work. Genesis 2:2-3 Once I started keeping the sabbath day as the Bible says, I found true peace and so much joy.
I just wanted to express how much your recent video resonated with me. Your words about burnout, the cycle of crash and rest, and the feeling of trying to play catch-up hit me to my core. I'm in this exact state, not knowing what I'm chasing, feeling like I'm living in survival mode. To be honest, normally, I watch videos at a faster speed, but something told me I needed to hear every word at normal speed this time. Your openness and vulnerability in sharing your experiences really touched me. I appreciate your raw honesty about anxiety and exhaustion on a soul level. It's like you took the words right out of my mouth. Thank you for being real and connecting with us on such a deep level. Your video came at a time when I needed to hear these words. Looking forward to more content from you!
thank you so much for this comment and for sharing what you're experiencing. i'm so glad this video resonated - it feels so special that we are learning this together.
People experience "burnout" because they keep looking at what others are doing. Focus on your own life and your own path. If you do this, you will never get off track of your own journey.
I have been feeling so stressed and overwhelmed lately, so finding this video was incredibly timely. I work from home in a very stressful job, and it’s difficult to disconnect from that work once my day is over. I am trying to balance my screen time with things I used to love, like reading, and trying to remember how to be bored. It’s not easy, but I keep trying, and reminding myself that it’s okay to rest, to read, and to just exist.
Subscribed. Good for you! I was a working and then working single Mom after divorce from my 1st and then death of my 2nd husband…literally spent all of my adult life just trying to stay afloat. Hard work. In 2016 in my early 50’s by then and kids grown and on their own, I was laid off from my job. I was devastated and scared. It was the BEST thing that was forced upon me. I saw a national park sticker saying “find your park,” and rather than just looking for another job right away, I spent six months, on a tight budget on my own, camping and traveling to 19 national parks within six months. That experience reset me in a way I could not have possibly imagined. Now at 60, I continue to travel, camp, hike and have even fallen in love with backpacking. Backpacking is an ultimate reset and other than a book tape perhaps, and an emergency locator beacon if needed, (I solo a lot) there is no technology out there. Just me and the universe and when it works out, a couple of friends or family members. My tip. GET OUSIDE! 😊
I recommend the light phone. No apps, no web browsing, only texts, calls, directions and a few other functions. It's forced me to be intentional with my time on the internet and with screens. It certainly poses complications to many things but I don't miss my smart phone even a little bit.
I feel this so much. Both in the job I do for the past geez 13 yrs and debt I have put upon myself. A life I hate…….i recently decided to focus on my journey. Clear the debt…work a simple job to get the debt cleared. Then finally go back to school and do what I always wanted to do. Make a life for myself. Is it stressful my god yes! I have no one to save me should I fail. Yes I live with my parents but if I fail to pay my rent I’m done. It scares me. But I guess there is no way to make change without pains. Here is to a fulfilling 2024. Any one else in the same boat. You got this! We can do it!
My own experience has taught me to ignore my own needs to preserve a "concept" (family, society). What that ends op meaning is that my body is screaming at me and I ignore it until my body makes me stop (anxiety, depression, stress, sickness) It is so freaking hard to rewire yourself when hurtful things have been installed into you :) So it is always so nice to see other people opening op about their personal stuggels and about what they are trying to do to break the bad circle
Thank you for this video Anika. I came across it by chance. Just what I needed. My NY resolution was to practise slow living.Only 2 weeks of slow living but wow! I already feel like a different woman. . It's never too late to find your authentic life. I am 75.
I am also 75. 2 weeks ago I had major surgery on my spine and of course have been forced to move slowly. I really hope I will learn from that. Now I feel enough better to start doing things but I'm going to try not to start too many or too fast. This video is really helpful.
You are a wise young lady. About 3 months ago, I decided to quit working. It has been a brutal 2 years. Slowing down has been good for me. I have intentionally spent a lot of time alone. Healing. I have learned a lot about myself and am enjoying this new journey. Thank you for sharing your experience! 😊
I just started adopting slow living a few days ago. I'm really enjoying what it's doing for me right now. Listening to videos like yours makes me look forward to what continuing on this path will do for me :)
I am pausing a minute in, and I just want to say I have been living like this for YEARS. This rhythm of push-push-push, then crash. I felt your feelings and words in my soul.
This is the first video of yours that I've watched, first I've seen on my feed, and although I've been living what I thought was a slow life, this video made me realise that I still have that mindset of how my value and worth is tied up in how productive I am. I am a homesteading, home-educating, home-making mother so there's only so much I can slow down before everything grinds to a halt, children and animals starve and there's more poop than anyone can deal with! But what I've always struggled to implement is that crucial time for myself, to find joy and peace. Productivity methods do help me and I'm constantly revamping my routines because no matter how hard I try I always reach a point where it all falls apart and I hit burnout. But maybe that's because what was lacking was the peace in between to help me reset enough to keep going. I really appreciate your video and look forward to seeing more :-)
Just found you through a friend who sent me your video. Definitely been inspired by the slow living as I’m surviving chronic stress episodes from last year after losing my mom in 2022. This is what I want. I can’t control it all, I can’t stick to an incredibly planned routine, I don’t want to get crazy about some of the things people go crazy for. Keep the good content pls :)
I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your mom. Sending you so much love. Thank you so much for being here - I resonate entirely with what you said and hope to be able to provide value as I keep learning
Thank you for sharing from your heart and soul. I am exactly in the same spot you used to be in. So badly it just hurts and I could and do cry. I just can't handle it all. So much to do constantly. I'm not enjoying life at all. Please keep giving us tips. Thank you so so much!
This is really encouraging. I think a lot of us are feeling the pull to slow down, rest, and focus on what's essential. Thanks for humbly putting yourself out there!
I’m a fairly new subscriber, but I already feel like I’ve been here forever. I had a traumatic event happen in my life back in November 2023. Since then, I’ve moved back in with my parents temporarily and started trying to live more intentionally and purposefully. Your videos are so raw and beautiful, and I hope to find peace in my life as I follow your journey too. ❤
Your story reminds me of an Alan Watts quote: “The meaning of life is just to be alive. It is so plain and so obvious and so simple. And yet, everybody rushes around in a great panic as if it were necessary to achieve something beyond themselves.” My burnout cycles are growing closer together and have been for awhile, the title of your video caught my attention because I’ve been studying and practicing Zen; you are using many familiar concepts here. Thank you for sharing your journey with the world. Don’t spend your new subscriber all in one place😊.
I've had sickening, debilitating, rock-bottom feelings recently for the exact same reasons, and came to the same conclusions: I have everything I need, I am rich with friends family pets good food etc, why am I so miserable? Because I'm too busy; doing what? things that make me feel productive/thrifty, but don't actually bring me joy or allow me to spend quality time with the people I love. How am I too busy to make a phone call to my parents?? The answer is I'm not! I have too many [productive] hobbies and not enough downtime for the actual important things in life. Seeing your video is kind of validating and putting into words how I've evaluated my life, so I'm grateful I found it!
Love this vlog! While I’m very grateful for the life I have and having all the things that many other people around the world do not, but I’ve come to a realization life is passing by in a blink of an eye because we are so distracted by fast paced living that we cannot escape of where a week feels like a day and a year feels like a month and next thing you know, it’s a new year. ❤
“I feel like I’ve been in the state of trying to play catch-up for a long time but I don’t even know what it is I’m chasing”. Thank you for sharing this. I’ve been dealing with burn out too and this resonated with me profoundly! Good luck with your journey!
Thank you so much for this. There are so many people out there - me included - who just need to know it’s okay to want to slow down. Especially when their whole identity and sense of purpose has been based around achieving.
I have been sort of forced to start living slower due to a combination of developing a chronic illness and being laid off of work..and it has been sooooo goid for me. I don't want to go back to the way I lived before, I will take this with me into my life now. I agree with what someone else said in the comments that a lot of it probably has to do with how we feel we should be from what we see on media..its just not true. Resting, living simpler and slower lives and finding beauty and joy in some of the things we might take for granted in life unless we had slowed down and noticed them in a different way, all of this has brought so much peace to me and added so much more value to my life and the things that do actually matter. Not things, and rushing around trying to keep on top of everything and maintain something that was stressing me out. Now I'm actually enjoying my experience❤
I just happened across your video tonight & I’m so glad I decided to watch it. This past summer I experienced this similar type of burnout, just always firing on all cylinders, stressed & anxious, even if something was exciting. I felt guilty for feeling this way b/c I knew I was so lucky to be in such a position, but I just wanted everything to slow down. In the last couple of months of 2023, I decided to do a social media detox as well, signing off all my accounts & even deleting some that just didn’t serve any purpose to me anymore. Since then it has helped me to hone in on the parts of life that I wanted to be there for, to truly take in the experiences. It has made my life so much more peaceful, helped me reevaluate where my priorities lie in terms of academia, & hopefully I will be able to integrate parts of slow living into how I handle my school work. I hope a boring, peaceful year to you, & to everyone that has read this comment 🤍
Wow. This video fully resonates with where I’m at and need to be. The cycle of burnout, rest, playing catch-up, and repeating is draining. Less and being more intentional has always worked best for me (though I’ve often allowed my Type A to take over lol). I also agree that slow living can look different for each person. I found you yesterday, watched your video about quitting your morning routine, reluctantly clicking on it, and was blown away!!! It was everything I was feeling! I’m now almost 5 videos in and subscribed! Thank you!
I'm so glad this resonated!! It's truly wild how easy it is to fall into those rhythms and find yourself endlessly waiting for them to deliver. Thank you so much for this comment - I truly can't express how much it means to me that you're connecting with this!!
I think the irony in feeling more productive now, is that your priorities shifted and you are doing things that fulfill you so you want to do them, and reducing your clutter allows you extra time to focus on those things. Thanks for being YOU!
I've been slow living for about three years now and I finally feel like I've met myself freee of the labels, of a corporate career, partner etc. I do so much more living now and feel so much healthier, balanced and funnily enough, with all the extra bandwidth available, I'm picking up on this pretty awesome sixth sense, call it female intuition if you will, or maybe its my age (39 and damn is this an empowering age. You just stop caring what people think.) I can read rooms, people, relationships, weather, maps, locations etc so much better! I'm shocked at how often my intuition is spot on and the more I trust it the more proactive I get and the more living I do. It's remarkable. I'm about to move to Tasmania and buy some rural property and get even more in touch with nature and off grid living. I feel so capable now and ready to learn, survive and enhance community. My income will be halved, but my living expenses will be about 4 x cheaper and the interest I wont have to pay the bank is more again. Shedding labels we place on ourselves or have placed upon us (particularly by family) is SO powerful. So thank you for sharing your story with us. You're growing and evolving and we see and appreciate you. PS if anyone ever tells you you're not ambitios enough or lazy for wanting to live slowly, just smile and say everything is going to be okay. 🙂
Wow, thank you so much for sharing your story!! This is so inspiring and exciting to read - I can't wait to see what 3 years of slow living for you. Best of luck with your new adventure, that sounds amazing!
Loved this! So happy and proud of you for taking this leap of faith! I felt the Lord tug me in this direction last year. I retired from my well paying and excruciatingly stressful career, accepted a much more modest lifestyle and I have never felt better. NOW I am free! Spoiler alert: “financial” freedom” is a lie. It’s not free at all. It consumes your time, your family, your health, your sleep and your peace of mind.
Thank you for the video. I'm 39, my life has been very goal orientated, fitness fanatic, overly strong work ethic, eternally too busy. Out of nowhere ended up in hospitalised this week. I've taken this as a sign to slow right down. Realign priorities. I realised I'm doing far too much and why, so seeing this video having been like yourself with constant burnouts is further solidifying my strong will to change. Thank you
I am also on this journey… I deactivated IG and FB back in Sept because I truly want to do things because I want to do things, not just so I can take a picture and post it. And when that option to post is there I realized it’s very hard for me to decipher what it is that actually like and want… less influenced by those around me. I just subscribed to your channel because I resonate with this so deeply. Thanks for sharing.
I really relate to that struggle of what do I actually want vs. what am I being influenced to want - good for you for taking the step off of social. Thank you so much for sharing!!
Just found you, recommended channel. What a truly great message. It made me think how I also want to create a simpler life for myself and my family. I’m older, and I feel tired more easily these days. My to do list can overwhelm me and I feel like a failure, like I have to get everything done on schedule or I’m not successful and deserve a rest. Throwing that mindset out the window…. I’m going to create a more peaceful routine to get things done and be intentional to enjoy the process, even in the mundane. Attitude and perception is the mental game. I want more peace in those areas, so I will focus on that new mindset and be kinder to my older myself. I will let go, take a deep breath, and make today a new, slower minded day. And work on new routines to support that. Thank you for your video. It truly resonated with me, and I feel more peace at this moment. I’m happy that you, as a young person, have figured this out sooner rather than later. Blessings to you and your new lifestyle. I wish you the best.
I love how pure this video is! And you say so many important things. I feel like I'm kind of in the same boat as you and going through a similar process with slowing down, and maybe even more importantly: living from within. It was when I started to feel who I am (instead of who I thought I wanted to be, because of social media / society / etc.) and started to listen to what feels good to my body and my soul, when things truly started to shift. And it is only in the silence that you can hear the sound of your own soul, whispering what it truly wants and needs. You need to turn the outside noise down to be able to truly connect to yourself. When you figure that out, it will be one of the biggest gifts in life because it allows you to live a truly authentic life that not only looks good, but feels good in every cell of your being. Looks like you found your peace, and I'm so happy for you. Anyway, love this content and I will definitely follow your youtube account. Curious to see what will be next :)
Thanks for this Anika, i am 51 years old and have struggled in a cycle of burnout and recovery. I am going through the process of resetting my relationship with Technology as that's been a constant challenge. Rest and peace is so important and finding a pace which is manageable. Glad i stumbled on your channel.
This came into my feed - not something I would normally watch but intrigued by "slow living" and the non-stop demands of living in a digital world - the "we change and evolve slowly..." that makes sense even though we are messaged to push to extremes.
What a great message. I went through this same journey a couple years ago - in my early 50s. So pleased you are finding this out at your age. And hope other young people will see this.
I needed this conversation SO much! Thank you a lit for sharing your precious experience and inspiration to be easier on yourself. It means world to me, to get back to myself
Very insightful thoughts. Being able to feed, clean and take care of ourselves is wired to us, it grounds us to focus on the necessity to live. Social media has definitely distracted many people from it and caused us to doubt the real meaning of life. The YB platform has changed, not so much of the audience, but the algorithm, and for the worse. It’s harder to find sincere valuable content and creators. It’s harder for them to find their right audience too. Ironically, with its modern algorithm.
Wonderful topic and discussion. I am definitely someone who strives to live simply and slowly. It’s unfortunate that our world is pushing us in the exact opposite direction. But it is encouraging to see your video (and others) and seeing how much interest there is in it. I do think that we have an innate need to live more simply. Blessings on your journey.
Thank you for this incredible, valuable and beautiful video. I've hit a level of burnout that I thought I was going to die. The amount of hard work and dedication met with immensely disproportional results made me lose myself completely. I was so focus on my enormous dreams that I lost track of who I was being. It didn't matter who I was being, what really matted was to reach my goals. I didn't reach any and lost myself on the way. Now I'm learning to love myself and accept where I am in a so much more profound way. I still dream the big dreams but it's not worth it to lose ourselves on the way. And just like you said, Anika, this phase is being incredibly humbling for me too. And this is amazing. Thank you so much for sharing this video.
I've come across this video as I feel my life needs a reset. I cried during your intro and explanation of your burnout cycle. That's me now. Mic drop! Thank you for sharing. I'm ready to make positive changes to my life to help get my anxiety under control.
This makes me think of the phrase "Festina Lente" or "Make Haste Slowly" which is about putting every effort toward pursuing the things you're after, but doing so properly, and letting the process take the appropriate time.
I just found your channel and this is me in every way. Trying to find who I I’m and living a more slow life. Can’t wait to see some of your other videos. Christie
Hi Anika! Thanks so much for being so open and honest. I have always fought the lie that my worth is tied to my productivity. But I just found your channel in the last week and am feeling so inspired to embrace slow living after a crazy year (getting married, moving overseas, transitioning to working fully remote).
I so relate to that lie and love that you are working to break that off!! It's so hard but so worth it - and I relate so much to finding the slow after the chaos. Wishing you peace and rest in this season!
My year has seasons, and though I’m in one of the busiest seasons, I make time for stillness within it, and it fuels me. Love how you remind me, that “being”… Has to fuel my doing.
This is very relatable. I wonder, based on so many of the comments, if whether whispers of social revolution may be closer than we might anticipate. Too many of us are completely exhausted and trying to understand how we can bring a deeper and more fulfilling sense of purpose than the “rush” and materialism we’ve been lured into - I think there’s a much healthier balance of these things to be sought ❤✨
Thank you. Definitely can relate to burn outs over and over again, and getting back on track over and over again, for the worse. Doing yoga, meditation .... Believing in gratitude. Still, I don't know how, when, where, what to change. I just know that change is needed... Keep inspiring me!
Thank you so much for your story and your channel. I crashed and burned and felt like I needed to hire someone to care for me. I knew I had to do something for my care. I started to take naps. I had to give myself permission to do nothing. For one thing I felt like that is all I could do initially. I then figured out that I could do things if I did them slowly taking my sweet time to do a nice job on whatever I was doing which was not much at first. I am now able to take care of what is important each day. I am enjoying taking my time cooking a meal and savoring the meal rather than it be something I am wolfing down to head out the door and leaving my dirty dishes in the sing to somehow eventually getting them washed. It has been like rediscovering myself or maybe coming back to who I am. Hard to put it in a nutshell but you have really validated my experience. It feels good to hear about someone out of the blue who is on the same so called path as I am.!!
Thank you for sharing your journey. I don’t know if anyone can use my tips because they’re very individualistic, but I’ll share them anyway. I will actually make a video in 6 languages about this topic. One of the tips will be: When your mind/ heart/ soul or body tell you something is too much, too hard, too boring or too demanding, sit down at a river or lake, listen to the water and the chirping birds and wait for the answer.
There's a humility and vulnerability that comes across in your video, and a gratitude felt, you're being kind to your process, you're feeling the pain in life with less suffering (perhaps), this is so great, I'm a new subscriber, thank you, let's build a slow quiet community!
Your journal entry really struck a chord with me. “I just feel like I’m never there…and I’m tired.” I can so relate to that. There’s comfort in knowing it’s not just me.
I feel the need to slow down. I just finished a month long holiday and the anxiety and pressure are already back. How can you start slow living when you are working a 9-5 job?? I can’t wait until retirement in 8 years to slow down - I won’t make it. I hope you will be able to make a video about slowing down while working full time. Thank you. Subscribed!
omg - that diary read - that is me! Exactly!!! I just cried. Except I don't know how to get out. I work full-time and take care of my elderly mother. My to-do list isn't even mine. But at least I am not alone. Thank you.
Slow living...I desire that so much!! I'm 71 and retired and hope to figure out how to do that someday. To be like a kid again -- having time to just BE. Thanks for sharing your story.
I am dealing with Chronic illness and motherhood And it has really take. A toll on me. I decided to slow live like when I had my first child and I think it will really help me heal. Thanks for This video and gentle reminders
Jesus said “I am the way, the truth and the life; no-one comes to God except through Me (John 14:6). Jesus wants you to to cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). Only by repenting of sin and trusting in Jesus to guide your life are you spiritually safe for all eternity. I encourage you to prayerfully read The Holy Bible ❤
Thank-you for sharing this video. I'm in the process of learning to live slowly and it is very hard for me as I'm a bundle of nerves. I started the year off sick with covid and never really recuperated as I started suffering from insomnia. Not sleeping takes a toll and I'm dizzy most of the time and emotional. I am now forced to change, maybe it's a good thing. I have been successful at living mindfully and slowly in the past, I can do it again. The thing is, as soon as I start feeling normal, I go back to my bad habits. This time I understand the necessity of slowing down and be more grounded, not put too much on my plate and learn to say no. It'll be a lifelong process but one that is worthwhile and no doubt will bring me peace and happiness. It helps to know I can alway get inspiration on youtube whenever I need to stay on the right path really helps.
Thank you! On 1st January 2024, I decided to make a "game plan" to "get back on track" although I know from therapy that that's not how it works. But I felt overwhelmed pretty easily and when I tried to put my thoughts on paper, I realised that it was all too much for me. That I am only hustling. And although a lot of the things I do are also things I enjoy, I made them become hustles in my life where all I want is getting better at it. I need to slow down my life, so thank you for making this video!❤
digital detox is a good thing! It can be an addiction. Glad to see you find time to relax and have a life. Less is more. Be well. I go out to my garden when I need to detox and just feel the sun on my face...when I give myself time to "float" that's when my creativity increases...and when I love to write poetry...
I love this message. I'm trying to slow down when I go out to take pictures and be in the moment. I usually have a clock in my head telling me about the things I can be doing at home. I have been selling or giving away things I don't use. I wish you all the best!!! I think of everything as a journey so if I slip up one day, I can get on track tomorrow instead of beating myself up for failing. ❤ One step at a time, it really makes sense.
I legit started to paint again and to create things I love after a long time of trying to be “successful” professionally. I think everyone should dedicate more time to the things they love 🥰
I love this! And agree totally with your philosophy. Also I am embracing slow living and appreciating writing, painting, and performing simple tasks for me and my family. ❤ the minimal lifestyle!
This is THE exact video i needed to see right now, also married with kids but a longing for a slower life, ive completely burnt out since new year, i felt like trying to diet and have it all was the tip of the iceburg i didnt need. This week my body has completely stopped me in my tracks with illness, so ive had no choice but to slow down. Eagerly anticipate how to actually navigate this now ❤
Just turned 60 and having these same feelings about slowing down and developing peace instead of running all the time toward the next thing. Yahoo for a '24 slowdown!
Slow living... sounds like something I could do and use. Not that there are many major stressors in my life at the moment, but maybe thinking a little ahead and trying to build a habit of slower and more meaningful living. It's kind of ironic, just before I watched this video, I had watched another one which spoke of major productivity, in other words, how to wake up early and get the most out of each day. For me, I was watching it for the waking _earlier_ part, my sleeping has been all over the place for a while now and I want to change it. But I compare things, and while many aspects of productivity are good and can help us, I really agree that you can accomplish them in a more humane way (slow and enjoyable productivity, I think it was you said in this video?). Liked this on a lot and I do plan on implementing many things pointed out here in my own life, too!
you may change the word minimalism to living with intent. many people are are beginning to to react negatively to that word (Minimalism). i have been adapting this for health reasons. it has helps me greatly.
I feel exhausted listening to you. You speak so quickly and your body movements are very hectic and unsettling. Breathe. Calm down. Relax. You are so young. Slow down and be mindful of each day hour minute. If you don’t you’re going to miss so many opportunities of beauty and possibility. I spent a lot of my life as a workaholic and I loved my work(accounting) and I worked in the natural foods industry which was very rewarding. But I think I missed the true aspect of savoring my life. Now at 75 I am able to have a quilt in the making, some drawing and painting, knitting, cooking for myself and friends, gardening, and being active in my church-all at the same time. Without it being overwhelming. Because I stop and breathe. Do yoga. Walk. Be silent. Be grateful. Bless you sweet girl. Chill. Easy for me as I no longer need to work. But still……try to learn to savor.💕
The first video of yours that I’ve come across. This resonated strongly! Looking forward to learning more from you about slow living and mending the nervous system after being anxious/stressed for so long
Hello Anika Your video inspired me to try my own version of 'digital detox'. I am sharing this just to show my interpretation, or how it works for me. Thanks so much for sharing! What I am trying to do for an entire month now - whatsapp/messages once in morning, once in evening (unless emergencies) - taking things slower, doing things more intentionally - avoid phone as much as possible - avoid internet as much as possible (except for intentional tasks e.g. grocery shopping) - use digital tools if it serves a focused goal (e.g. my mp3 is reconfigured to only listen to music, not to surf on the web) - taking note of what gives me energy, what takes energy away, and what I wish to focus on more in the future - listening better to conversational partners - writing a lot, to pen down my feelings, structure my thoughts - making time of things I've been putting off - shifting through belongings, restructuring rooms (we are now even planning a renovation) - try to evaluate the ways I spend my time, and optimize this (e.g. meeting with good friends more frequently) My wife is even joining me for this experiment, and she has been feeling better as well. Avoiding digital/online activities seems to free room in my mind, allowing me to focus better. I am having ups and downs with this. I think it's important to let everyone else know we are all human, and should be allowed to make mistakes, to have rebounds. But I feel you were onto something crucial in this video. The way we are using technology, is often far beyond the point of being useful. We are living second lives in a digital and online era. So I'm trying to get back to living one in full.
I’m 58 and have struggled with anxiety and depression a lot. I had a good job that I felt called to do. But last October my anxiety had become unbearable and an ongoing, serious foot problem made work almost impossible. It was actually my foot doctor that recognized this and took me out of work. After a couple of months I realized I couldn’t go back. No matter how much I have used the “try harder” approach in my life, my mind and body are not on board. I can’t keep pace with this crazy culture and remain sane. It’s hard to accept but I also don’t want to keep returning to a place of crisis. Fortunately I have been spared running into the person who tells me “It must be nice,” when finding out I’m not working. But each time the “try harder” ends up in crisis, it’s worse than the last. It’s time to accept that “trying harder” isn’t working and slow living is where peace lies for me. I’m glad I found you. In a world where most people brag about busyness it’s helpful to know I’m not alone in the need to live slowly.
Hey I’ve never seen you before but I wanted to say from experience that your subscribers will understand and give you a loving farewell if you leave. You may get messages wondering where you are (TH-cam is still TH-cam) but if you decide to leave don’t let yourself feel guilty about it. TH-cam will move on without you but your life won’t. I’m glad to see you’re enjoying free time and slowing down.
I have been practicsing slow living for a few weeks now, since hitting serious burn out at the end of last year. Currently I set myself three goals in the morning to complete that day, they can be simple things like eat a healthy meal or go to the gym or read a book for 30 minutes. It helps a lot having a structure but also not putting too much on myself.
Hi Anika, I am on the journey of having less things to manage and slowing down. I had a burn-out in the past and feel its coming back. I feel tired all the time and have always have a lot to do. Im happy I found your chanel. Thanks for sharing your experience 🌷
Randomly stumbled upon this video and just wanna say thank you. I don’t know you, but I needed to see this. Somehow I felt every word you said as if there was a person narrating my exact thoughts.
This is one of the channels that gave me the courage to start my TH-cam channel 10 months ago about self development. Now I have 1,979 subs and > 2k hours of watch time. I know it’s not comparable with others but I’m still proud I started because I’ve been learning so many lessons that I could haven’t learned without getting started in the 1st place.
yes feeling the same...i have been also in circle of burnouts and rest etc ...but this time it came down a lot in my body and caused me some health and mental problems too...mainly crusing down my nervous system...it is not quite easy state to be at, but just know it is time to change my life step by step...thanks for great video :) ...and wishing good luck to everyone who is dealing with something right now...
HI
Yes that would be great and very much needed!
Yes that's a great idea!
definitely!!
Definitely! It'd be great ✨️🩵
Yes! You could totally make a slow living series and I’m sure so many would watch it! I think we are all striving to slow down and enjoy life with loved ones. With the world the way it is right now, we all need a lesson in peace ❤️ I would love to see more in depth videos about how slow living is practiced in your life, and ways you’ve simplified. Or even productivity or life beliefs you no longer agree with
I am almost 66 and I’m only learning now how to slow down. I’ve been retired for a while now, so you would think I could do slow living…. I feel a lot of the pressure and anxiety we feel is more to do with how we think we should be, how media portrays even us oldies, and I’m sorry to say, a feeling of “making the most” of the years I have left. I feel pressure to put so much into my day… play golf/go on trips/fulfill your bucket list/hikes/do the Camino/run a marathon….. these are just a few of the things my community are doing…. And I want to sit peacefully, listen to music, watch a movie, read my book, go for a swim and see my family and friends. So why do I feel I’m “wasting” my time? Thanks for your insights, I’m so impressed that you can see what you need to do at such a young age. All the best!
thank you so much for sharing this!! that makes so much sense, and how lovely that youv'e been able to recognize your slower desires in life - but also wild how we've made those beautiful things out to be "wasting time"? wishing you so much peace in this season!
I’m 74, and still trying to find myself as well. Slow living does not equate to “wasting the time we have,” but rather savoring every moment. At least that’s what I’m working on. So I’m there with you, listening to music, watching sunsets, still growing, still thriving. ❤
@@julienelson8162 thank you! I love what you say about savoring every moment! What that moment is, is different for all of us. But I love taking my time instead of being in a frenetic hurry! Best wishes to you!
Thank you for being honest about this while admitting your age. I sm 61 years old and thought I was the only one feeling this way! Thanks to you and the other ladies' commets, I feel so much better about my similar feelings. I am now also taking a few steps back and trying to stop rushing through life. There is an old story called "When Queens Ride By" that tells a tale about slowing life down and actually having more time. It's s wonderful story set back during older times.
@@maryhoyt2609 I’m so glad you found this helpful! It’s wonderful for me to see I’m not the only one too and hopefully this gives the younger generation reading this some advice going forward. We tend to think - “When I’m 30/40/50/60/etc I will be able to do this or that” but now is the time.
“And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?”
All I can say, I was your age once, I blinked and my journey is almost over. I know I looked for that “something”, pivotal moment, that says yes, I made it, goal accomplished BUT, I never knew what that actually was. It’s been an endless search what will mean I made something for myself? What defines that? I too, have burn out, doubts, self-worth. Did I add value to someone else, did I do myself justice? I’m not forcing it anymore, but embracing each day as a new opportunity to enjoy myself. Life is so short!
I think the goal is the way we handle the journey.
Love this subject. I got laid off from work 4 months ago and by the grace of God I’ve never been happier to live slowly and intentionally.
Me too! Lol
Yeah! So inspiring. Thanks for sharing.
After living with chronic pain for 50+ years one of the things I struggle with the most is the truth that I am not what I accomplish. Thanks for sharing and encouraging me to be true to me.
Thank you so much for sharing this. I'm so glad you're here - you are so valuable.
Hi ! I’ve been living the slow life for about 10 years now ! I pulled my son out of public school , quit my job, quit our church, sold everything we had, moved in with mother-in-law so that we could get out of debt save up enough money to purchase our home with cash!! we live like no other so now that we can live like no other!! we’ve been in our new home for four years now with no mortgage!! ❤ I tell everyone my favorite day is a boring day!! They are the best! There’s nothing better than waking up and having no schedule and being financial free burden . Having time to love on my family there’s so many corners inside of a day that if you’re not slow enough, you will miss them !!
I love the thought of digital detox that is my goal this year!
Thank you for your video. Thank you for sharing new to your channel. Just found you today.❤
Congrats! Your son is fortunate.
Good for you. I am full of admiration for you. You deserve peace and happiness.😊
Dave Ramsey has good ideas! 😊
I’m 67 and have many boring days and I love it! It took some time to realize a simpler, slower life is wonderful. I’m now studying piano and can put in a substantial amount of time to this hobby. Life is good!
Yeah digital detox is a definitely needed in my camp. Cheers.
I am 64, had 4 children, 2 husband's which the 1st one was an alcoholic, divorced him, an abuser and my 2nd is really a good man we have been together for over 30 years. Life for me was very stressful as working to make a living raise kids all gave me a hard time and glad that are adults and all Gone.. lifetime of cooking cleaning paying bills too much for me and going crazy , now I am retired and I love the peace and quiet life, truly a luxury and I appreciate life more... I can breath again!! Blessings to you ❤
Our Creator knew we would need a time to slow down and rest. That’s why he made the seventh day a day for us to rest from all work. Genesis 2:2-3
Once I started keeping the sabbath day as the Bible says, I found true peace and so much joy.
I just wanted to express how much your recent video resonated with me. Your words about burnout, the cycle of crash and rest, and the feeling of trying to play catch-up hit me to my core. I'm in this exact state, not knowing what I'm chasing, feeling like I'm living in survival mode.
To be honest, normally, I watch videos at a faster speed, but something told me I needed to hear every word at normal speed this time. Your openness and vulnerability in sharing your experiences really touched me. I appreciate your raw honesty about anxiety and exhaustion on a soul level. It's like you took the words right out of my mouth. Thank you for being real and connecting with us on such a deep level. Your video came at a time when I needed to hear these words. Looking forward to more content from you!
thank you so much for this comment and for sharing what you're experiencing. i'm so glad this video resonated - it feels so special that we are learning this together.
People experience "burnout" because they keep looking at what others are doing. Focus on your own life and your own path. If you do this, you will never get off track of your own journey.
I have been feeling so stressed and overwhelmed lately, so finding this video was incredibly timely. I work from home in a very stressful job, and it’s difficult to disconnect from that work once my day is over. I am trying to balance my screen time with things I used to love, like reading, and trying to remember how to be bored. It’s not easy, but I keep trying, and reminding myself that it’s okay to rest, to read, and to just exist.
Subscribed. Good for you! I was a working and then working single Mom after divorce from my 1st and then death of my 2nd husband…literally spent all of my adult life just trying to stay afloat. Hard work. In 2016 in my early 50’s by then and kids grown and on their own, I was laid off from my job. I was devastated and scared. It was the BEST thing that was forced upon me. I saw a national park sticker saying “find your park,” and rather than just looking for another job right away, I spent six months, on a tight budget on my own, camping and traveling to 19 national parks within six months. That experience reset me in a way I could not have possibly imagined. Now at 60, I continue to travel, camp, hike and have even fallen in love with backpacking. Backpacking is an ultimate reset and other than a book tape perhaps, and an emergency locator beacon if needed, (I solo a lot) there is no technology out there. Just me and the universe and when it works out, a couple of friends or family members. My tip. GET OUSIDE! 😊
You’re so right! The outdoors is the ultimate reset. It’s sad that we resist it so often.
I concur!
I recommend the light phone. No apps, no web browsing, only texts, calls, directions and a few other functions. It's forced me to be intentional with my time on the internet and with screens. It certainly poses complications to many things but I don't miss my smart phone even a little bit.
I feel this so much. Both in the job I do for the past geez 13 yrs and debt I have put upon myself. A life I hate…….i recently decided to focus on my journey. Clear the debt…work a simple job to get the debt cleared. Then finally go back to school and do what I always wanted to do. Make a life for myself. Is it stressful my god yes! I have no one to save me should I fail. Yes I live with my parents but if I fail to pay my rent I’m done. It scares me. But I guess there is no way to make change without pains. Here is to a fulfilling 2024.
Any one else in the same boat. You got this! We can do it!
My own experience has taught me to ignore my own needs to preserve a "concept" (family, society). What that ends op meaning is that my body is screaming at me and I ignore it until my body makes me stop (anxiety, depression, stress, sickness) It is so freaking hard to rewire yourself when hurtful things have been installed into you :)
So it is always so nice to see other people opening op about their personal stuggels and about what they are trying to do to break the bad circle
You just articulated exactly how I have been feeling, living and what I know what I should be changing…a million thanks!!
Thank you for this video Anika. I came across it by chance. Just what I needed. My NY resolution was to practise slow living.Only 2 weeks of slow living but wow! I already feel like a different woman. . It's never too late to find your authentic life. I am 75.
Thank you so much for your comment! I love that you are experiencing so much change and authenticity so quickly! Cheering for you!
I am also 75. 2 weeks ago I had major surgery on my spine and of course have been forced to move slowly. I really hope I will learn from that. Now I feel enough better to start doing things but I'm going to try not to start too many or too fast. This video is really helpful.
You are a wise young lady. About 3 months ago, I decided to quit working. It has been a brutal 2 years. Slowing down has been good for me. I have intentionally spent a lot of time alone. Healing. I have learned a lot about myself and am enjoying this new journey. Thank you for sharing your experience! 😊
I just started adopting slow living a few days ago. I'm really enjoying what it's doing for me right now. Listening to videos like yours makes me look forward to what continuing on this path will do for me :)
I am pausing a minute in, and I just want to say I have been living like this for YEARS. This rhythm of push-push-push, then crash. I felt your feelings and words in my soul.
This is the first video of yours that I've watched, first I've seen on my feed, and although I've been living what I thought was a slow life, this video made me realise that I still have that mindset of how my value and worth is tied up in how productive I am. I am a homesteading, home-educating, home-making mother so there's only so much I can slow down before everything grinds to a halt, children and animals starve and there's more poop than anyone can deal with! But what I've always struggled to implement is that crucial time for myself, to find joy and peace. Productivity methods do help me and I'm constantly revamping my routines because no matter how hard I try I always reach a point where it all falls apart and I hit burnout. But maybe that's because what was lacking was the peace in between to help me reset enough to keep going. I really appreciate your video and look forward to seeing more :-)
Just found you through a friend who sent me your video. Definitely been inspired by the slow living as I’m surviving chronic stress episodes from last year after losing my mom in 2022. This is what I want. I can’t control it all, I can’t stick to an incredibly planned routine, I don’t want to get crazy about some of the things people go crazy for. Keep the good content pls :)
I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your mom. Sending you so much love. Thank you so much for being here - I resonate entirely with what you said and hope to be able to provide value as I keep learning
Beautiful message ❤
Thank you for sharing from your heart and soul. I am exactly in the same spot you used to be in. So badly it just hurts and I could and do cry. I just can't handle it all. So much to do constantly. I'm not enjoying life at all. Please keep giving us tips. Thank you so so much!
This is really encouraging. I think a lot of us are feeling the pull to slow down, rest, and focus on what's essential. Thanks for humbly putting yourself out there!
yes
I’m a fairly new subscriber, but I already feel like I’ve been here forever. I had a traumatic event happen in my life back in November 2023. Since then, I’ve moved back in with my parents temporarily and started trying to live more intentionally and purposefully. Your videos are so raw and beautiful, and I hope to find peace in my life as I follow your journey too. ❤
wow, thank you so much for this! i'm so sorry to hear you've been going through it. excited for your journey, and i'm so so glad that you're here!!
Your story reminds me of an Alan Watts quote:
“The meaning of life is just to be alive. It is so plain and so obvious and so simple. And yet, everybody rushes around in a great panic as if it were necessary to achieve something beyond themselves.”
My burnout cycles are growing closer together and have been for awhile, the title of your video caught my attention because I’ve been studying and practicing Zen; you are using many familiar concepts here. Thank you for sharing your journey with the world. Don’t spend your new subscriber all in one place😊.
I've had sickening, debilitating, rock-bottom feelings recently for the exact same reasons, and came to the same conclusions: I have everything I need, I am rich with friends family pets good food etc, why am I so miserable? Because I'm too busy; doing what? things that make me feel productive/thrifty, but don't actually bring me joy or allow me to spend quality time with the people I love. How am I too busy to make a phone call to my parents?? The answer is I'm not! I have too many [productive] hobbies and not enough downtime for the actual important things in life. Seeing your video is kind of validating and putting into words how I've evaluated my life, so I'm grateful I found it!
So good to know!! I've heard such good things about Shark - it honestly may just come down to what Costco has in stock hahaha
Love this vlog! While I’m very grateful for the life I have and having all the things that many other people around the world do not, but I’ve come to a realization life is passing by in a blink of an eye because we are so distracted by fast paced living that we cannot escape of where a week feels like a day and a year feels like a month and next thing you know, it’s a new year. ❤
You've just said out loud EVERYTHING I'm feeling!!!! Wow !!! Thank you 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 Love from Yorkshire England xx
“I feel like I’ve been in the state of trying to play catch-up for a long time but I don’t even know what it is I’m chasing”. Thank you for sharing this. I’ve been dealing with burn out too and this resonated with me profoundly! Good luck with your journey!
Thank you so much for this comment. I'm so glad it resonated! Best of luck for you as well!
This made so much sense. Its like you said everything i was feeling but was unable to put in words . Thankyou ❤
Thank you so much for this. There are so many people out there - me included - who just need to know it’s okay to want to slow down. Especially when their whole identity and sense of purpose has been based around achieving.
purpose...yes but it isnt always easy to find it...
I have been sort of forced to start living slower due to a combination of developing a chronic illness and being laid off of work..and it has been sooooo goid for me. I don't want to go back to the way I lived before, I will take this with me into my life now. I agree with what someone else said in the comments that a lot of it probably has to do with how we feel we should be from what we see on media..its just not true. Resting, living simpler and slower lives and finding beauty and joy in some of the things we might take for granted in life unless we had slowed down and noticed them in a different way, all of this has brought so much peace to me and added so much more value to my life and the things that do actually matter. Not things, and rushing around trying to keep on top of everything and maintain something that was stressing me out. Now I'm actually enjoying my experience❤
I just happened across your video tonight & I’m so glad I decided to watch it. This past summer I experienced this similar type of burnout, just always firing on all cylinders, stressed & anxious, even if something was exciting. I felt guilty for feeling this way b/c I knew I was so lucky to be in such a position, but I just wanted everything to slow down. In the last couple of months of 2023, I decided to do a social media detox as well, signing off all my accounts & even deleting some that just didn’t serve any purpose to me anymore. Since then it has helped me to hone in on the parts of life that I wanted to be there for, to truly take in the experiences. It has made my life so much more peaceful, helped me reevaluate where my priorities lie in terms of academia, & hopefully I will be able to integrate parts of slow living into how I handle my school work. I hope a boring, peaceful year to you, & to everyone that has read this comment 🤍
Wow. This video fully resonates with where I’m at and need to be. The cycle of burnout, rest, playing catch-up, and repeating is draining. Less and being more intentional has always worked best for me (though I’ve often allowed my Type A to take over lol). I also agree that slow living can look different for each person.
I found you yesterday, watched your video about quitting your morning routine, reluctantly clicking on it, and was blown away!!! It was everything I was feeling! I’m now almost 5 videos in and subscribed! Thank you!
I'm so glad this resonated!! It's truly wild how easy it is to fall into those rhythms and find yourself endlessly waiting for them to deliver. Thank you so much for this comment - I truly can't express how much it means to me that you're connecting with this!!
I think the irony in feeling more productive now, is that your priorities shifted and you are doing things that fulfill you so you want to do them, and reducing your clutter allows you extra time to focus on those things. Thanks for being YOU!
so so true and well put - thank you!!
I've been slow living for about three years now and I finally feel like I've met myself freee of the labels, of a corporate career, partner etc. I do so much more living now and feel so much healthier, balanced and funnily enough, with all the extra bandwidth available, I'm picking up on this pretty awesome sixth sense, call it female intuition if you will, or maybe its my age (39 and damn is this an empowering age. You just stop caring what people think.) I can read rooms, people, relationships, weather, maps, locations etc so much better! I'm shocked at how often my intuition is spot on and the more I trust it the more proactive I get and the more living I do. It's remarkable. I'm about to move to Tasmania and buy some rural property and get even more in touch with nature and off grid living. I feel so capable now and ready to learn, survive and enhance community. My income will be halved, but my living expenses will be about 4 x cheaper and the interest I wont have to pay the bank is more again. Shedding labels we place on ourselves or have placed upon us (particularly by family) is SO powerful. So thank you for sharing your story with us. You're growing and evolving and we see and appreciate you. PS if anyone ever tells you you're not ambitios enough or lazy for wanting to live slowly, just smile and say everything is going to be okay. 🙂
Wow, thank you so much for sharing your story!! This is so inspiring and exciting to read - I can't wait to see what 3 years of slow living for you. Best of luck with your new adventure, that sounds amazing!
Loved this! So happy and proud of you for taking this leap of faith!
I felt the Lord tug me in this direction last year. I retired from my well paying and excruciatingly stressful career, accepted a much more modest lifestyle and I have never felt better. NOW I am free!
Spoiler alert: “financial” freedom” is a lie. It’s not free at all. It consumes your time, your family, your health, your sleep and your peace of mind.
Thank you for the video. I'm 39, my life has been very goal orientated, fitness fanatic, overly strong work ethic, eternally too busy. Out of nowhere ended up in hospitalised this week.
I've taken this as a sign to slow right down. Realign priorities. I realised I'm doing far too much and why, so seeing this video having been like yourself with constant burnouts is further solidifying my strong will to change. Thank you
I am also on this journey… I deactivated IG and FB back in Sept because I truly want to do things because I want to do things, not just so I can take a picture and post it. And when that option to post is there I realized it’s very hard for me to decipher what it is that actually like and want… less influenced by those around me. I just subscribed to your channel because I resonate with this so deeply. Thanks for sharing.
I really relate to that struggle of what do I actually want vs. what am I being influenced to want - good for you for taking the step off of social. Thank you so much for sharing!!
Just found you, recommended channel. What a truly great message. It made me think how I also want to create a simpler life for myself and my family. I’m older, and I feel tired more easily these days. My to do list can overwhelm me and I feel like a failure, like I have to get everything done on schedule or I’m not successful and deserve a rest.
Throwing that mindset out the window…. I’m going to create a more peaceful routine to get things done and be intentional to enjoy the process, even in the mundane. Attitude and perception is the mental game. I want more peace in those areas, so I will focus on that new mindset and be kinder to my older myself. I will let go, take a deep breath, and make today a new, slower minded day. And work on new routines to support that.
Thank you for your video. It truly resonated with me, and I feel more peace at this moment. I’m happy that you, as a young person, have figured this out sooner rather than later. Blessings to you and your new lifestyle. I wish you the best.
I love how pure this video is! And you say so many important things. I feel like I'm kind of in the same boat as you and going through a similar process with slowing down, and maybe even more importantly: living from within. It was when I started to feel who I am (instead of who I thought I wanted to be, because of social media / society / etc.) and started to listen to what feels good to my body and my soul, when things truly started to shift. And it is only in the silence that you can hear the sound of your own soul, whispering what it truly wants and needs. You need to turn the outside noise down to be able to truly connect to yourself. When you figure that out, it will be one of the biggest gifts in life because it allows you to live a truly authentic life that not only looks good, but feels good in every cell of your being. Looks like you found your peace, and I'm so happy for you.
Anyway, love this content and I will definitely follow your youtube account. Curious to see what will be next :)
Well said 👏
Thanks for this Anika, i am 51 years old and have struggled in a cycle of burnout and recovery. I am going through the process of resetting my relationship with Technology as that's been a constant challenge. Rest and peace is so important and finding a pace which is manageable. Glad i stumbled on your channel.
This came into my feed - not something I would normally watch but intrigued by "slow living" and the non-stop demands of living in a digital world - the "we change and evolve slowly..." that makes sense even though we are messaged to push to extremes.
What a great message. I went through this same journey a couple years ago - in my early 50s. So pleased you are finding this out at your age. And hope other young people will see this.
I needed this conversation SO much! Thank you a lit for sharing your precious experience and inspiration to be easier on yourself. It means world to me, to get back to myself
Very insightful thoughts. Being able to feed, clean and take care of ourselves is wired to us, it grounds us to focus on the necessity to live. Social media has definitely distracted many people from it and caused us to doubt the real meaning of life. The YB platform has changed, not so much of the audience, but the algorithm, and for the worse. It’s harder to find sincere valuable content and creators. It’s harder for them to find their right audience too. Ironically, with its modern algorithm.
Wonderful topic and discussion. I am definitely someone who strives to live simply and slowly. It’s unfortunate that our world is pushing us in the exact opposite direction. But it is encouraging to see your video (and others) and seeing how much interest there is in it. I do think that we have an innate need to live more simply. Blessings on your journey.
Thank you so much for your comment Christine!! Blessings back!
Thank you for this incredible, valuable and beautiful video.
I've hit a level of burnout that I thought I was going to die. The amount of hard work and dedication met with immensely disproportional results made me lose myself completely.
I was so focus on my enormous dreams that I lost track of who I was being. It didn't matter who I was being, what really matted was to reach my goals.
I didn't reach any and lost myself on the way.
Now I'm learning to love myself and accept where I am in a so much more profound way. I still dream the big dreams but it's not worth it to lose ourselves on the way.
And just like you said, Anika, this phase is being incredibly humbling for me too. And this is amazing.
Thank you so much for sharing this video.
I've just started my journey to slow living and I'm slowly noticing positive changes! Thanks for this video ❤
I've come across this video as I feel my life needs a reset. I cried during your intro and explanation of your burnout cycle. That's me now. Mic drop! Thank you for sharing. I'm ready to make positive changes to my life to help get my anxiety under control.
pure compassion is the door to self realisation self liberation , awakening
You worded that struggle so perfectly. It’s exactly the way I’ve been feeling for much too long. Thank you for this❤️
This makes me think of the phrase "Festina Lente" or "Make Haste Slowly" which is about putting every effort toward pursuing the things you're after, but doing so properly, and letting the process take the appropriate time.
I just found your channel and this is me in every way. Trying to find who I I’m and living a more slow life. Can’t wait to see some of your other videos. Christie
Hi Anika! Thanks so much for being so open and honest. I have always fought the lie that my worth is tied to my productivity. But I just found your channel in the last week and am feeling so inspired to embrace slow living after a crazy year (getting married, moving overseas, transitioning to working fully remote).
I so relate to that lie and love that you are working to break that off!! It's so hard but so worth it - and I relate so much to finding the slow after the chaos. Wishing you peace and rest in this season!
My year has seasons, and though I’m in one of the busiest seasons, I make time for stillness within it, and it fuels me. Love how you remind me, that “being”… Has to fuel my doing.
Who knew “slow living” was a thing? And why haven’t we known we need this? Thank you for bringing this into our consciousness! And yes, sign me up!!!💜
This is very relatable. I wonder, based on so many of the comments, if whether whispers of social revolution may be closer than we might anticipate. Too many of us are completely exhausted and trying to understand how we can bring a deeper and more fulfilling sense of purpose than the “rush” and materialism we’ve been lured into - I think there’s a much healthier balance of these things to be sought ❤✨
Thank you.
Definitely can relate to burn outs over and over again, and getting back on track over and over again, for the worse.
Doing yoga, meditation .... Believing in gratitude.
Still, I don't know how, when, where, what to change. I just know that change is needed...
Keep inspiring me!
We love you, Anika! You’ve been doing amazing progress. You inspire me to do better ❤
ahh, thank you so much!
Thank you so much for your story and your channel. I crashed and burned and felt like I needed to hire someone to care for me. I knew I had to do something for my care. I started to take naps. I had to give myself permission to do nothing. For one thing I felt like that is all I could do initially. I then figured out that I could do things if I did them slowly taking my sweet time to do a nice job on whatever I was doing which was not much at first. I am now able to take care of what is important each day. I am enjoying taking my time cooking a meal and savoring the meal rather than it be something I am wolfing down to head out the door and leaving my dirty dishes in the sing to somehow eventually getting them washed. It has been like rediscovering myself or maybe coming back to who I am. Hard to put it in a nutshell but you have really validated my experience. It feels good to hear about someone out of the blue who is on the same so called path as I am.!!
Thank you for sharing your journey. I don’t know if anyone can use my tips because they’re very individualistic, but I’ll share them anyway. I will actually make a video in 6 languages about this topic. One of the tips will be: When your mind/ heart/ soul or body tell you something is too much, too hard, too boring or too demanding, sit down at a river or lake, listen to the water and the chirping birds and wait for the answer.
There's a humility and vulnerability that comes across in your video, and a gratitude felt, you're being kind to your process, you're feeling the pain in life with less suffering (perhaps), this is so great, I'm a new subscriber, thank you, let's build a slow quiet community!
Your journal entry really struck a chord with me. “I just feel like I’m never there…and I’m tired.” I can so relate to that. There’s comfort in knowing it’s not just me.
I feel the need to slow down. I just finished a month long holiday and the anxiety and pressure are already back. How can you start slow living when you are working a 9-5 job?? I can’t wait until retirement in 8 years to slow down - I won’t make it. I hope you will be able to make a video about slowing down while working full time. Thank you. Subscribed!
❤
I followed you when you had less than 500 subs and I love the shift in your content to best support who you are as a human! I’m a forever subbie ❤
Kay ❤ you literally are a day one haha. thank you so much for all of your support over the last year plus!! I'm so glad you're here!!
omg - that diary read - that is me! Exactly!!! I just cried. Except I don't know how to get out. I work full-time and take care of my elderly mother. My to-do list isn't even mine. But at least I am not alone. Thank you.
Slow living...I desire that so much!! I'm 71 and retired and hope to figure out how to do that someday. To be like a kid again -- having time to just BE. Thanks for sharing your story.
I am dealing with Chronic illness and motherhood
And it has really take. A toll on me.
I decided to slow live like when I had my first child and I think it will really help me heal. Thanks for
This video and gentle reminders
Jesus said “I am the way, the truth and the life; no-one comes to God except through Me (John 14:6). Jesus wants you to to cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). Only by repenting of sin and trusting in Jesus to guide your life are you spiritually safe for all eternity. I encourage you to prayerfully read The Holy Bible ❤
Thank-you for sharing this video. I'm in the process of learning to live slowly and it is very hard for me as I'm a bundle of nerves. I started the year off sick with covid and never really recuperated as I started suffering from insomnia. Not sleeping takes a toll and I'm dizzy most of the time and emotional. I am now forced to change, maybe it's a good thing. I have been successful at living mindfully and slowly in the past, I can do it again. The thing is, as soon as I start feeling normal, I go back to my bad habits. This time I understand the necessity of slowing down and be more grounded, not put too much on my plate and learn to say no. It'll be a lifelong process but one that is worthwhile and no doubt will bring me peace and happiness. It helps to know I can alway get inspiration on youtube whenever I need to stay on the right path really helps.
Thank you! On 1st January 2024, I decided to make a "game plan" to "get back on track" although I know from therapy that that's not how it works. But I felt overwhelmed pretty easily and when I tried to put my thoughts on paper, I realised that it was all too much for me. That I am only hustling. And although a lot of the things I do are also things I enjoy, I made them become hustles in my life where all I want is getting better at it. I need to slow down my life, so thank you for making this video!❤
It helps to get ourselves off our minds and help others in need. It’s miserable only focusing inward or comparing to others’ fake lives.
digital detox is a good thing! It can be an addiction. Glad to see you find time to relax and have a life. Less is more. Be well. I go out to my garden when I need to detox and just feel the sun on my face...when I give myself time to "float" that's when my creativity increases...and when I love to write poetry...
I love this message. I'm trying to slow down when I go out to take pictures and be in the moment. I usually have a clock in my head telling me about the things I can be doing at home. I have been selling or giving away things I don't use. I wish you all the best!!! I think of everything as a journey so if I slip up one day, I can get on track tomorrow instead of beating myself up for failing. ❤
One step at a time, it really makes sense.
I legit started to paint again and to create things I love after a long time of trying to be “successful” professionally. I think everyone should dedicate more time to the things they love 🥰
I love this! And agree totally with your philosophy. Also I am embracing slow living and appreciating writing, painting, and performing simple tasks for me and my family. ❤ the minimal lifestyle!
I love to write when I slow down and allow myself think time. What kind of painting do you do? I dabble in watercolor a little.
This is THE exact video i needed to see right now, also married with kids but a longing for a slower life, ive completely burnt out since new year, i felt like trying to diet and have it all was the tip of the iceburg i didnt need. This week my body has completely stopped me in my tracks with illness, so ive had no choice but to slow down. Eagerly anticipate how to actually navigate this now ❤
Just turned 60 and having these same feelings about slowing down and developing peace instead of running all the time toward the next thing. Yahoo for a '24 slowdown!
Thank you. This was just what I needed! I keep myself way too busy.
We are "human beings" not "human doings!"
I’ve currently taken on slow leaving, specially for the reason you mentioned and I’m glad I ran into this video, Thank you 🙏🏼
im so proud of you for standing up and going against yourself and your own tips such a powerful women
Slow living... sounds like something I could do and use. Not that there are many major stressors in my life at the moment, but maybe thinking a little ahead and trying to build a habit of slower and more meaningful living.
It's kind of ironic, just before I watched this video, I had watched another one which spoke of major productivity, in other words, how to wake up early and get the most out of each day. For me, I was watching it for the waking _earlier_ part, my sleeping has been all over the place for a while now and I want to change it. But I compare things, and while many aspects of productivity are good and can help us, I really agree that you can accomplish them in a more humane way (slow and enjoyable productivity, I think it was you said in this video?).
Liked this on a lot and I do plan on implementing many things pointed out here in my own life, too!
Obsessed with this! A good reminder in a busy season of my life right now 🥰
you may change the word minimalism to living with intent. many people are are beginning to to react negatively to that word (Minimalism). i have been adapting this for health reasons. it has helps me greatly.
I feel exhausted listening to you. You speak so quickly and your body movements are very hectic and unsettling. Breathe. Calm down. Relax. You are so young. Slow down and be mindful of each day hour minute. If you don’t you’re going to miss so many opportunities of beauty and possibility. I spent a lot of my life as a workaholic and I loved my work(accounting) and I worked in the natural foods industry which was very rewarding. But I think I missed the true aspect of savoring my life. Now at 75 I am able to have a quilt in the making, some drawing and painting, knitting, cooking for myself and friends, gardening, and being active in my church-all at the same time. Without it being overwhelming. Because I stop and breathe. Do yoga. Walk. Be silent. Be grateful. Bless you sweet girl. Chill. Easy for me as I no longer need to work. But still……try to learn to savor.💕
The first video of yours that I’ve come across. This resonated strongly! Looking forward to learning more from you about slow living and mending the nervous system after being anxious/stressed for so long
Hello Anika
Your video inspired me to try my own version of 'digital detox'.
I am sharing this just to show my interpretation, or how it works for me.
Thanks so much for sharing!
What I am trying to do for an entire month now
- whatsapp/messages once in morning, once in evening (unless emergencies)
- taking things slower, doing things more intentionally
- avoid phone as much as possible
- avoid internet as much as possible (except for intentional tasks e.g. grocery shopping)
- use digital tools if it serves a focused goal (e.g. my mp3 is reconfigured to only listen to music, not to surf on the web)
- taking note of what gives me energy, what takes energy away, and what I wish to focus on more in the future
- listening better to conversational partners
- writing a lot, to pen down my feelings, structure my thoughts
- making time of things I've been putting off
- shifting through belongings, restructuring rooms (we are now even planning a renovation)
- try to evaluate the ways I spend my time, and optimize this (e.g. meeting with good friends more frequently)
My wife is even joining me for this experiment, and she has been feeling better as well.
Avoiding digital/online activities seems to free room in my mind, allowing me to focus better.
I am having ups and downs with this. I think it's important to let everyone else know we are all human, and should be allowed to make mistakes, to have rebounds. But I feel you were onto something crucial in this video. The way we are using technology, is often far beyond the point of being useful. We are living second lives in a digital and online era. So I'm trying to get back to living one in full.
You are pure gold, thank you for sharing. I’m on a very similar journey this past year and into the new year. 🙏🏻
Thank you so much for your comment!! Glad you are here and cheering for you!
I’m 58 and have struggled with anxiety and depression a lot. I had a good job that I felt called to do. But last October my anxiety had become unbearable and an ongoing, serious foot problem made work almost impossible. It was actually my foot doctor that recognized this and took me out of work. After a couple of months I realized I couldn’t go back. No matter how much I have used the “try harder” approach in my life, my mind and body are not on board. I can’t keep pace with this crazy culture and remain sane. It’s hard to accept but I also don’t want to keep returning to a place of crisis. Fortunately I have been spared running into the person who tells me “It must be nice,” when finding out I’m not working. But each time the “try harder” ends up in crisis, it’s worse than the last. It’s time to accept that “trying harder” isn’t working and slow living is where peace lies for me. I’m glad I found you. In a world where most people brag about busyness it’s helpful to know I’m not alone in the need to live slowly.
It is nice to be able to choose your path. It is easy for some, difficult for some and impossible for some.
Hey I’ve never seen you before but I wanted to say from experience that your subscribers will understand and give you a loving farewell if you leave. You may get messages wondering where you are (TH-cam is still TH-cam) but if you decide to leave don’t let yourself feel guilty about it. TH-cam will move on without you but your life won’t. I’m glad to see you’re enjoying free time and slowing down.
I have been practicsing slow living for a few weeks now, since hitting serious burn out at the end of last year. Currently I set myself three goals in the morning to complete that day, they can be simple things like eat a healthy meal or go to the gym or read a book for 30 minutes. It helps a lot having a structure but also not putting too much on myself.
Just halfway through the video and relating to every bit of it. Thanks for the video Anika! 💙🙏🏻
Love from India
Hi Anika, I am on the journey of having less things to manage and slowing down. I had a burn-out in the past and feel its coming back. I feel tired all the time and have always have a lot to do. Im happy I found your chanel. Thanks for sharing your experience 🌷
I am trying to slow down also, I am always setting unrealistic goals and trying to do too much. I found this very helpful.
Randomly stumbled upon this video and just wanna say thank you. I don’t know you, but I needed to see this. Somehow I felt every word you said as if there was a person narrating my exact thoughts.
I'm so glad we connected & that this resonated with you. Thank you for being here 🤍
This is one of the channels that gave me the courage to start my TH-cam channel 10 months ago about self development. Now I have 1,979 subs and > 2k hours of watch time. I know it’s not comparable with others but I’m still proud I started because I’ve been learning so many lessons that I could haven’t learned without getting started in the 1st place.
yes feeling the same...i have been also in circle of burnouts and rest etc ...but this time it came down a lot in my body and caused me some health and mental problems too...mainly crusing down my nervous system...it is not quite easy state to be at, but just know it is time to change my life step by step...thanks for great video :) ...and wishing good luck to everyone who is dealing with something right now...