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Adventures in Sustainable LivingAuthor: Patrick Keith
There is one thing you will hear me say again and again. As long as someone else is in control of your resources, they are in fact in control of your life. Consequently, my solution to that problem was to develop a sustainable, self reliant lifestyle. Not only that, but Ive lived off the grid for more than 20 years. This podcast is not only about sustainable living it is also about teaching you to take more control over your life by being in control of many of your resources. It is possible to live a life without debt, produce much of your own food, have much more personal freedom, as well as increased personal security and peace of mind. So join me as I discuss diverse topics associated with sustainable living, off grid living, and share some of my hilarious and sometimes incredible adventures. My goal is to make you realize that you can also have a wonderful sustainable life that is adventurous, enjoyable, challenging, and rewarding. I will also make you question why you live the way you do now. Besides this podcast, I have a companion blog at www.offgridlivingnews.com Enjoy!!! Language: en Genres: Home & Garden, Leisure, Science Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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262_The Art of Slow Living
Thursday, 15 January, 2026
Adventures in Sustainable Living Podcast Episode 262 The Art of Slow Living One of the advantages of working in different cultures is that you gain a completely different perspective on life. You step outside of your daily routine, experience different values, eat different foods, and make new friends. But such experiences also help you to realize some of the pitfalls of your own society. One of my favorite places to live and work is the Caribbean. People seem much less stressed. They have a much slower pace of life and never seem to worry much about getting things accomplished right now. In fact, one of their favorite mottos is “rush slowly.” While such a lifestyle may not be for everyone, I do think we can learn a lot or at least gain a new perspective from such a lifestyle. So join me for E262 The Art of Slow Living. Welcome back everyone to the Adventures in Sustainable Living Podcast. This is your host Patrick and this is E262 The Art of Slow Living. In this episode I want to take a look at our modern society, examine some of the pitfalls and perhaps give you a different way to live your life, something that is more grounded and focused on intentional living. This of course is in contrast to our high octane society that is designed for speed, efficiency, and constant productivity. But first, let’s start out with the good news story of the week. Good News Story of the Week As most of you likely know, invasive species take a big toll on our environment. The primary underlying origin of this problem is human activity. Once and invasive species has established itself in a particular ecosystem it is difficult if not impossible to eradicate them. Such is the case with the lion fish. This fish is native to the Indo-Pacific region and was likely introduced through the aquarium trade. Some owners likely released this fish into the wild when they outgrew their aquarium or they simply lost interest. Lion fish are prolific producers, have no natural predators, and are particularly damaging to reef fish. Studies show that a single lion fish can reduce native fish populations by 80 to 90 percent within just five weeks. But, some places around the globe have found a solution. If you can’t beat them, then eat them. That’s right. Once you remove the poisonous spines, lion fish are easy to cook and are quite good. I’ve can attest to this from personal experience. I’ve spent several days diving and catching lion fish. We would often have two one gallon bags of fillets in the freezer. And the best part, since these fish are invasive, no one really cares if you hunt them. So, it you enjoy the ocean, and diving of course, I highly recommend it. If you can’t beat them, eat them. So many of us fly out of bed in the morning, rush to get ready for work, take very little time to eat a healthy breakfast before we go out into an environment where everyone else is just as rush. Instead of doing that, why not wake up with intention. Make your bed, drink a glass of water, make some tea or coffee, do some stretching or do a workout. Then take a shower, make breakfast and then get ready for work. This of course is a reflection of our high octane society that is designed for speed, efficiency, and constant productivity. But as I mention above, there are cultures that have a much slower pace of life where no one seems to be concerned about getting things accomplished right away. And that is a refection of what I call slow living. But, what exactly do I mean by this. 🌿 The Art of Slow Living Reclaiming Time, Meaning, and Well-Being in a Fast Paced World 1. Why Slow Living Matters Now We live in a world optimized for speed, efficiency, and constant productivity. Faster technology. Faster communication. Faster consumption. Yet despite all this speed and efficiency, many people feel more exhausted, disconnected, and overwhelmed than ever. Slow living is not about doing less for the sake of doing less. It is about focusing on what matters—doing things well, living intentionally, and at a normal human pace. We live in a time of burnout, environmental strain, and even cultural fragmentation. Slow living offers something radically different A return to presence, purpose, and a sense of balance in our lives. 2. What Is Slow Living? (And What It Is Not) Slow Living Is: Living intentionally, not being reactive to so many of the things that go on in our day-to-day lives Valuing quality over quantity Aligning daily habits, or for that matter, you entire lifestyle with personal values Creating space for rest, creativity, and connection. This may in fact mean regularly disconnecting yourself from the outside world. Slow Living Is Not: Laziness or lack of ambition. It is about connecting with what matters the most to you so that what you do accomplish has meaning. Rejecting technology entirely. It is about using that technology to your advantage and not allowing it to rule your life. We live in a culture where people expect to have access to you 24 hours a day, which creates more stress. Escaping responsibility. It is about just the opposite, taking full responsibility for how you want to live your life. Living without structure or goals. Slow living is a mindset, not a rigid lifestyle. 3. The Cultural Problem: Speed Without Meaning Modern culture often rewards: Being busy over having a fulfilled existence Productivity over well-being Convenience over sustainability This creates: Chronic stress and burnout It promotes a shallow and short attention span because we are constantly distracted Overconsumption and waste Disconnection from sustainable sources of food, a disregard of the natural world, and also disconnects us from our community Slow living challenges the assumption that faster is always better. 4. Core Principles of Slow Living 🌱 Presence Being fully engaged in the moment—whether eating, walking, or listening. Far too many times I see people going for a walk or just walking the dog while staring at their phone. That is the opposite of what you need to be doing. 🌱 Intention Making choices aligned with values instead of habits driven by pressure or convenience. This means live you life in a way that makes a difference for you instead of conforming to the expectations of society. 🌱 Sufficiency Recognizing when “enough” truly is enough. Think in terms of what you actually need instead of what you want. 🌱 Connection Deepening relationships—with family and friends, the food you eat, the places where you spend most of your time, and with the natural. 🌱 Rhythm Taking value in the natural cycles of work, rest, and rejuvenation both physical and mental. Now let’s look at a couple of concrete examples: Choose the best and leave the rest: Recognize the fact that you have the power to make choices about how you live. For example, the things you have in your home. What activities are important to you. How do you want to spend your money. Understand the cost of your choices: Every time you say yes to one thing you say no to something else. If you choose to spend time with friends you may be saying no to getting chores done. If you choose to start taking night classes then you have to say no to a lot of your free time and to spending a lot of time with your friends. Say “yes” to a great life: Take the time to make a list of the top 5 things that mean the most to you. Focus on that and get rid of everything else. Accept that it’s about the long game: Living a simple life in line with your values and priorities takes time and practice. Remember it’s all about repeatedly making little decisions that in the long term result in you living the life that you want. There was a time when I lived under a mountain of debt. I decided to change that. But, it took 5 years of hard work and having to make some very difficult decisions. I knew I was in it for the long game. It took me 5 years to get completely out of debt and it completely changed my life. 5. Slow Living and the Body When we slow down physically: Nervous systems regulate Stress hormones decrease Sleep improves Digestion and immunity strengthen Examples: Eating a meal without any screens. When you are eating put the phone away. Enjoy your meal and stop multitasking. Walking instead of rushing. Try getting up a little earlier. Leave for work a little earlier so you do not have to be rushed Taking breaks without guilt. So, take time for yourself. Say no to friends, family, work and get some relaxing quiet time. Sleeping according to natural rhythms The body often heals when life slows. 6. Slow Living at Home Slow homes prioritize: Comfort over constant upgrading. Do you really need to constantly upgrade your devices? If the one you have works, then keep it until it fails. Function over excess. If an appliance or a took serves a specific function then keep it until breaks instead of buying the latest and greatest. I have a long list of tools and other possessions I’ve had for over 20 years. Simplicity; Keeping a simple life is often a lot less expensive. Keep it that way. Practices: Intentionally declutter your life. Creating daily rituals such as starting out with a quiet morning, taking time to sit and drink coffee or tea Cooking meals from scratch more often instead of instant packaged meals Repairing household items instead of replacing them Build daily routines and rituals: stretch and/or exercise daily, keep yourself well hydrated, take regular long walks, meditate regularly, follow regular meal times, get 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night. 7. Slow Living and Food Food is one of the most powerful and most over looked slow-living tools. How we purchase, prepare and consume our food is also one of the easiest and most effective ways in which we can be more sustainable. Slow food practices include: Cooking at home. Home cooked meals are less expensive and far healthier than restaurant food, convenience foods and prepared, packaged foods from the supermarket. Eating seasonally and locally. This reduces carbon emissions and helps to support local economies. Reducing food waste. Since food is by far the greatest source of our carbon emissions, aiming for zero food waste is not only possible but a very effective way to fight against climate change. Sharing meals without distraction. Eating meals without the presence of any sort of screen. This means no phones, no TV, no computers or iPads. Slowing food systems: Improves health Reduces environmental impact Rebuilds cultural traditions Strengthens community resilience 8. Slow Living and Time This concept of time management was first developed in the late 1800s and early 1900s in order to increase productivity and efficiency. It focused on standardizing work practices, particularly in manufacturing. These concepts later translated into the office environment. Over time, the focus of time management broadened from mere efficiency to include personal effectiveness, stress reduction, goal achievement, and work-life balance. But as most of us know, rather than helping us our concept of time management just causes more stress. As far as slow living is concerned, time is not something we “manage”—it’s something we experience. Slow time practices: Fewer commitments and a deeper focus on the things that really matter to you. Stop multitasking and focus on one thing at a time. Create buffer space between activities instead of running from one thing to the next Arrange days with plenty of spare time instead of over loading yourself. Again, this gets back to the concept of slow morning rituals as a way to start your day. Almost every day I get up about one hour earlier than what is needed. I sit in the quiet, drink coffee, and plan my day. Rarely do I get up and rush out the door. 9. Slow Living and Sustainability Slow living naturally supports sustainability by: Reducing overconsumption because we use what we have. Lowering energy use Supporting local economies by sourcing food and materials from local merchants Encouraging repair and reuse instead of purchasing new items. When people slow down: We tend to use everything and waste less We tend to consume more thoughtfully and responsibly We value longevity over novelty and always feeling as if we have to have the latest and greatest. Slow living not only promotes personal well-being but is planet friendly. 10. Barriers to Slow Living (And How to Overcome Them) Common barriers: “I don’t have time” For example, people often say they don’t have time to cook from scratch. I rarely eat restaurant or take out food. With forethought and planning it is quite possible to always have home cooked meals. Fear of falling behind. If this is a fear, maybe you should focus on doing less. Social pressure. Now, I am going to get on a little soap box here for a moment. Societal pressure to always be productive stems from deeply ingrained cultural values and systemic influences. Capitalist values emphasize hard work, discipline, and personal achievement as markers of moral virtue and worth, often equating productivity with success and self-worth. This mindset is further amplified by the rise of "hustle culture," which glorifies long working hours, relentless pursuit of goals, and the idea that busyness is a sign of importance, contributing to an unhealthy work-life balance. Social media intensifies this pressure by showcasing idealized versions of other people’s lives, where accomplishments are highlighted while struggles are hidden, leading individuals to feel they are falling behind. This constant comparison fuels anxiety and the fear of missing out, reinforcing the belief that rest or downtime is a sign of laziness or failure. This simply emphasizes the fact that we all need to develop a lifestyle consistent with the things that bring us value instead of someone else’s concept of what life should be like. Financial stress. This is the one area that may be valid. If you are barely making enough money to get by, it may take some time and hard work for you to accomplish the lifestyle that you want and need. Reframes: Slow living starts within existing routines Small changes compound over time Slowing down is not necessarily withdrawal—it’s refinement of the lifestyle you really want. Even 10% slower can be transformative 11. How to Begin a Slow Living Practice -Wake up earlier and have a nice breakfast in the quiet or just simply listen to some nice music. -Take care of yourself. Your personal health and well being needs to be a top priority. You will never truly enjoy life if you are not healthy. In our busy and fast paced world, our personal health is all too often one of the first things to go by the wayside. -Limit your screen time. The global average daily screen time is 6 hours and 45 minutes, with teenagers spending nearly 9 hours a day in front of a screen. What a colossal waste of time. -Limit your media exposure. Constant exposure to bad news and violence is no way to build a peaceful life. Limit you exposure to the media, especially social media, and focus on things that bring value into your life. -Connect with family and friends. Face to face personal relationships are failing due to our constant screen time. Instead, focus on spending face-to-face time with friends and family. -Drive slowly. Plan ahead and leave for work earlier than you need to. I often arrive at work at least 30 minutes a head of time. I then spend my time reading and relaxing instead of dealing with traffic. -Spend time in nature. Numerous studies have highlighted the health benefits of spending time in nature. Get outside, away from the screens and enjoy some peace and quiet. -Do less and find the meaning in life. One of the best ways to simplify your life is to make a list of the top 3 to 5 things that are important to you and provide value. Focus on that and get rid of everything else. -Cultivate a positive way of thinking. The best way to do this is to limit the negative input in your life. Be constantly mindful of your environment from who you spend your time with to what kind of people are around you in public places. The less negative input you are faced with the better you will feel about life and the easier it is to have a positive attitude. On a personal note, if you are constantly busy it is going to be difficult to adjust to a slower pace in life. That is why you need to take it one step at a time. It is best to start with small changes. Start small: Choose one slow ritual per day Remove one unnecessary obligation Set aside and protect one quiet moment Eat one meal slowly and mindfully Spend time outside every day. Repeatedly ask yourself, “Is this in line with the type of lifestyle I want to achieve. 12. The Quiet Power of Slowing Down Slow living is not a retreat from the world. Instead it is a more meaningful way of engaging with it. By slowing down your pace in life you can: Reclaim your attention and focus Restore your health and take better care of yourself Deepen relationships with friends, family, and even the natural world. Focus on sustainable living Create a lifestyle that is in line with what brings you value instead of being rushed and frustrated. In a culture that is optimized for speed and efficiency, choosing to slow down is a healthy way of choosing yourself because you reduce overwhelm, rebuild presence of mind, and create lasting healthy habits. Having a slower pace of life pairs beautifully with sustainability, well-being, and intentional living. 🌿 The Slow Living 30-Day Challenge One Month to a Calmer, More Intentional Life How it works One small focus per day No perfection required Reflect briefly each evening Repeat what works—release what doesn’t Slow living is not about doing everything slowly. It’s about doing the right things at the right pace. 🌱 WEEK 1: SLOWING THE BODY & MIND Awareness before action Day 1 – Notice the Pace Observe how fast you move, speak, eat, and think today—without trying to change anything. Day 2 – Single-Tasking Do one everyday activity with full attention (washing dishes, showering, walking). Day 3 – Slow Morning Wake up 15 minutes earlier. No phone. Sit, breathe, stretch, or drink something warm. Day 4 – Eat Slowly One meal today: no screens, chew thoroughly, notice flavors and fullness. Day 5 – Breathe on Purpose Take 3 slow breaths before each transition (leaving home, starting work, meals). Day 6 – Walk Without Destination Take a walk without tracking steps, pace, or productivity. Day 7 – Weekly Reflection What moments felt calm? What moments felt rushed—and why? 🏡 WEEK 2: SLOWING THE HOME & ROUTINES Create spaces that support calm Day 8 – Clear One Surface Declutter a single counter, table, or drawer. Stop when it feels “enough.” Day 9 – Create a Daily Ritual Design a small ritual you can repeat daily (tea time, evening stretch, journaling). Day 10 – Light & Sound Check Reduce artificial light or background noise for one evening. Day 11 – Cook Simply Prepare a simple meal from whole ingredients—no multitasking. Day 12 – Repair or Care Fix, clean, or care for something you already own. Day 13 – Make Your Home Restful Add one calming element: plant, candle, fresh air, natural light. Day 14 – Weekly Reflection How does your environment affect your energy and mood? 🍎 WEEK 3: SLOWING CONSUMPTION & TIME Less urgency, more intention Day 15 – No-Buy Day Buy nothing today (except essentials). Day 16 – Unsubscribe Remove one source of digital noise (emails, apps, notifications). Day 17 – Create White Space Leave one hour unscheduled. Protect it. Day 18 – Say No Gently Decline one nonessential obligation or request. Day 19 – Do Less, Better Choose one task and do it well—skip the rest if possible. Day 20 – Revisit “Enough” Reflect: What is enough for you right now (time, money, stuff, effort)? Day 21 – Weekly Reflection Where do you rush out of habit rather than necessity? 🌳 WEEK 4: SLOWING FOR CONNECTION & MEANING Depth over speed Day 22 – Be Fully Present Give one person your full attention—no phone, no multitasking. Day 23 – Nature Time Spend at least 20 minutes outdoors, intentionally noticing details. Day 24 – Express Gratitude Slowly Write a thoughtful note or message of appreciation. Day 25 – Reclaim Evenings Create a screen-free evening wind-down routine. Day 26 – Align with Values Ask: “Does my schedule reflect what I care about?” Day 27 – Rest Without Guilt Rest today without trying to “earn” it. Day 28 – Revisit Your Ritual Refine or deepen the daily ritual you created earlier. Day 29 – Choose Your Slow Staples Identify 3 slow-living habits you want to keep long-term. Day 30 – Closing Reflection How has slowing down changed your body, mind, or priorities? 🌾 AFTER THE CHALLENGE Slow living is not a finish line—it’s a practice. Carry forward: One daily ritual One weekly reset One boundary that protects your time One habit that connects you to nature or people A slower life is often a fuller one.
