Improving life by slowing down.

For some of us, it comes naturally.

What is slow living? Well, according to Wikipedia "The Slow Movement is a cultural shift towards slowing down life's pace." Which sounds about right to me.

What are some of the essential elements of slow living for me? In no particular order...

• Real food. Take time to cook. Food rewards care, and love shows on a plate. You and your family are worth more than 2 minutes in a microwave.
• Real people. Take time to talk to your neighbours. Keep in touch with your friends. See your family. They might not always be there, so don't waste them.
• Read books. It doesn't take any more effort to pick up a book than it does the remote control. Enjoy the quiet, appreciate the writer's effort, and let yourself be carried away.
• Relax. Take a break. Even if it's only a couple of days, make sure you get the occasional break from the routine. Holidays don't have to be expensive. Stay with friends. Buy a tent.
• Reduce your waste. Sometimes it takes a wee bit more effort to think how you can use leftover food, packaging, paper, whatever. Take the time. You can spare it better than the planet can.