What if we lived a slower life? ⏰

As we transition seasons, why not transition your outlook? What if life was slower and simpler? How would you design your days? [View this email in your browser]( The Slow Life Not gonna lie, despite 2020 being the hardest and weirdest year of life, I’m proud of the way that my family and I were able to embrace summer living, even despite a pandemic and all the remote work. We just returned from a trip where we spent time at the beach, at the lake, and on the road (all the way to Montana from California!), enjoying popsicles and watermelons as often as possible. For a couple of weeks, life was slower than normal, and I soaked it up. I’m learning a lot right now about what it means to slow down -- even more so than earlier in the pandemic, when we were all in so much shock that we *had* to slow down. This version of slowing down is by design, not force. I truly believe that we can all get more done in less time if we cut out distractions. I believe that social media should only come in small doses and with frequent breaks. I believe in saying “No” to meetings or (virtual) events that aren’t necessary. As my favorite quote goes: “If it’s not a hell yes, it’s a NO.” So as we transition seasons, why not transition your outlook? What if life was slower and simpler? How would you design your days? It’s a question I’m still asking myself and by no means do I have it figured out yet (juggling multiple jobs, kids, the works!), but after the year we have *all* had so far, I think we deserve the chance to try. I’ll keep you posted on what works for me if you promise to do the same! To get us started, Erin Loechner has literally written the book on all things slow living: [Chasing Slow: Courage to Journey Off the Beaten Path](. We chatted with her to [learn more about why the concept is such an important and meaningful way to live]( no matter where you are. In a culture that's constantly connected, it's easy to feel like we should be working 24/7. Award-winning blogger Beth Kirby is familiar with this tension many of us experience around work and rest. We asked Beth to share [productivity tips]( to help us embrace a slower, more fulfilling pace of life. Between work, school (IRL or virtual) and absolutely everything else, it's easy to forget one key thing — to slow down and just be. But even though it might seem like slowing down is an impossibility, you can do it! That is, with a little help. Read on for [9 ways to slow down and actually enjoy parenting]( If your vision of “self-care” is sleeping in, applying sheet masks, and doing the crossword in your pajamas, you’re not far off. But self-care practices can (and should!) also be bite-size actions that easily slip into your daily routine. Here are [10 ways to put yourself first when you only have 10 minutes to spare](. Being present may be simple, but that doesn't make it easy. It’s common to get swept up in the past or spend time dreaming about the future. Living in the moment can be extra-tough when life gets chaotic or the unexpected happens. Learning to be present is a skill, and we've got [6 ways to help you slow down]( + be present. There may be a major area of wellness-boosting potential that you’re neglecting: your home. According to NYC wellness-driven architect Carolyn DiCarlo, the link between living space and personal wellbeing is an important one. [DiCarlo shares her tips]( for turning home into a zen space. We're all feeling a bit meh these days, but if we focus on the good it can have an enormous impact on our lives in the long run. Practicing gratitude can enhance your mood, your relationships, and your physical and mental health. [Here are my go-to books to help make the attitude of gratitude your next great habit](. Food is no exception to the slow life. We'd argue that slow cookers are like the fairy cookmother you never had. All you need to do is toss in the ingredients, set the temp, and let the device bubble away throughout day. We've put together [a starter guide to all things slow cookin'](. Celebrations are not just about milestones y'all -- we all deserve to be congratulated when we make improvements to our routine or achieve some momentum with our big-picture goals. Here are [eight small victories]( that you should celebrate. No baby step is too insignificant! [Brit + Co Classes]( Join the Conversation Have you embraced slowing down in our new normal? Share your experience and tips with me via email [hello@brit.co](mailto: hello@brit.co) or DM us on Instagram ([@britandco]( or [@brit](. [Brit + Co Site]( [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Pinterest]( Copyright © 2020 Brit Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: 129 Miller Ave #100A Mill Valley, CA 94941 Want to change how you receive these emails? You can [update your preferences]( or [unsubscribe from this list](. [Share]( [Share]( [Tweet]( [Tweet]( [Forward]( [Forward](