[CAREER NEWS] In this age of immediacy, opt for the Slow Life...

Origins

Slow Life or Slow Living is part of the Slow Movement, which began in Italy in the 1980s with the creation of Slow Food by Carlo Petrini, in response to the opening of a McDonald's in Rome and the acceleration of consumerism. This movement, now present in more than 150 countries, promotes culinary traditions, fair pay for producers, food quality, and sustainable development. In 2004, Carl Honoré popularized Slow Living with his book In Praise of Slowness, showing how the spirit of Slow Food has spread to many areas of modern life—from work to leisure—to counteract the widespread acceleration of our daily lives. At the heart of this movement is a simple belief: it is better to live intensely but without rushing, cultivating quality rather than quantity.

Definition

Slow Life is not idleness or an injunction to slow down. It is an intentional way of managing one's time, priorities, and energy. In concrete terms, it consists of slowing down when it makes sense, reintroducing breathing space into overloaded days, and giving weight back to what really matters. It does not involve stopping everything, but choosing wisely.

The different types of Slow Life

• Slow Food: relearn how to cook, taste, and share, rather than consuming on the go.
• Slow Travel: focuses on the depth of the experience rather than "seeing as much as possible in a weekend."
• Slow Work: introduces moments of deep concentration, limits multitasking, and protects recovery periods.
• Slow Deco: Scandinavian-style decor that transforms an interior into a cozy, aesthetic, and ethical refuge.
• Slow Living: more broadly, it is the adoption of a daily routine that allows for moments of respite.

Benefits

§  Clarity in decision-making

Taking a step back encourages conscious analysis, as promoted by Slow Thinking in strategic decisions: rather than reacting, we choose with hindsight and nuance, which often results in a more impactful response. This leads to greater clarity and creativity, and helps us avoid impulsive decisions that may prove costly later on.

§  Reduced stress and better health

According to Harvard Health, practicing Slow Life lowers stress and blood pressure levels by increasing presence in the moment. There is less mental agitation and more serenity for oneself and others around us.

§  Improved concentration and memory

By slowing down, we become more attentive to our actions, thoughts, and routines. This helps us to remember what we have done and avoid mistakes. With fewer distractions, we gain more control.

§  Encouragement of creativity and innovation

Give yourself space to think: by stepping away from the "to-do list" continuum, you free your mind to contemplate real opportunities or unexpected solutions. Silence can foster sources of inspiration.

Common misconceptions

Many people think that Slow Life is incompatible with professional performance. This is not true. On the contrary, slowing down allows you to:

• Make better decisions: taking a step back promotes clarity and creativity.
• Conserve your energy: slowing down prevents exhaustion and chronic stress.
• Strengthen relationships: by being fully present, we create stronger bonds.

Ultimately, Slow Living is a lever for sustainable efficiency.

Some inspiration for practicing Slow Life

• Smart "micro changes of scenery": set aside half a day every two weeks in an inspiring place (a quiet café, park, creativity workshop, etc., depending on your tastes) to think about your projects away from urgent matters.
• Open week: once a month, block out a whole day with no meetings. No agenda, just time to think, write, and create.
• Regular disconnect: set aside times without emails or notifications to regain your full attention. Three hours a week is enough to recharge your batteries.
• Time without appointments: reserve untouchable slots in your calendar to work on your priorities without interruptions.
• Recurring breaks: Set a gentle alert on your phone: every 3 hours, take 5 minutes to breathe, close your eyes, and just "be."
• Reverse thinking: every week, ask yourself, "What can I stop doing this week?" to free up time for what really matters.
• Reverse celebration: After every major action (even virtual), treat yourself to a mini symbolic celebration (a note, a photo, a message received) to mark the accomplishment. Use your bullet journal for this, for example.
• Inspiration in nature: a 20-minute walk outside can improve concentration and calm the mind more than an extra cup of coffee...
• Saying no with grace: slowing down also means accepting that you can't do everything. Every "no" is a "yes" to what's essential.

Conclusion

Slow Living, far from being a fad for dreamers, is a modern response to the acceleration of the professional world. It doesn't suggest putting life on hold, but rather restoring its rhythm. So, as we head back to work, why not swap the metaphor of the hamster in its wheel for that of... the cat in the sun? After all, it observes, it chooses its movements slowly, and it always achieves its goals by landing on its feet with... a certain elegance. 😉

Elizabeth TOUCAS – Executive Strengths Coach & Career Manager – IÉSEG Network

For any personalized support in Executive Coaching or for any information about the Career Development Services, please contact me:

e.toucas@ieseg.fr or +33 (0)6 85 33 01 57.