I recently ran into an old friend, she asked me what do I do with all of my free time. For a moment I felt like I was suppose to defend myself but I told her I have plenty to do or not do if I please. I realized it was more about herself- an anxious, stressed out overachiever. I kind of felt sorry for her although I understand it is what she chooses. I feel so fortunate to have a slow life now as it hasn’t always been true for me either although I do know it is my true nature. Thank you for sharing your true nature with us. I look forward to your videos and your calm, beautiful ways.
I’m recently “early” retired after many years of burnout riddled with anxiety. I have fully embraced this healing time and the art of slow living, but I feel like I am constantly having to defend my peaceful lifestyle to people. But in the end, I am so much happier and at peace than they seem to be.
I get up at 5 and drink my coffee on my back porch. I listen to the waterfall in my pond and listen to the birds singing. , and pet my cat. I tend to hit my to-do list too hard even though i am retired ...but this gives me peace and an awareness to slow down
Im 63 yrs old not retired yet happened to be here coz Im binge watching you tube videos about reorganizing my place and life as a whole. I suffer depressions periodically your chanel is helpful. TY.
Seen babybirds fly out of their nest for the first time. I was lucky enough to see it yesterday. I sat down and dropped my intentions to cook, and stayed seated until the last one went out. Really enjoyed it. 🐦 Hope you had a good time at the beach🌊
I often feel judged as lazy for needing to live a slow simple life. And at times i see others who have "busier" seemingly more full lives and feel bad. I never used to feel this way........i used to write articles about simple everyday life but something has shifted.....
Could be good to reflect about for yourself 😊 Maybe you're missing something specific, that you could add to your simple life to 'juice things up', so to speak?
Vera, as always, these are wise words! I find that after 30+ years of very stressful work, I have had to teach my body how to relax again. I have been retired for 2 years now, but I still find myself in a tense knot. It's just my body's habit learned from life. So like learning to pay attention to breath, I also pay attention to my muscles and consciously relax them. Just like in meditation, but staying present to this throughout my day. I have major health issues due to living an extremely stress-filled life for 60 years! I wish every young person who sees this would learn from my experience. I thank you so much for being you and sharing you! 🤗💗
Not rushing to my commute🙌 A BIG YES. I used to walk at the speed of running when I was in university. Now I've trained myself to walk really slow and with composure. Less sweating, no cramps in the shins, no hyper breathing and much calmer mind when I reach my destination.
Great video! Turning off my phone notifications, intentionally unplugging every day, and only checking my IG once a week, has done wonders for my anxiety. Honestly, it has changed my life! I’m more present, I appreciate stillness, I’m more aware, less stressed, have time to read or take a walk, and my FOMO is gone. If I miss something, I honestly don’t care bc the peace and calm I feel is worth the trade off. Stillness, quiet, and setting personal boundaries are the best things that ever happened to me.
The Good Lord has been trying to teach me patience for a long, long time. I am retired now and practicing patience on a daily basis, but think I still have a lot to learn. You are very helpful.
I really enjoy your videos. Thank you so very much for making them. Just sharing… I enjoy colouring very much but honestly I don’t always get the relaxation out of it that I so desire… I’ve come to realise that when colouring I tend to focus on choice of colours, technique, wanting to get it done because I want to see the end result. So often times it’s as enjoyable. So this morning I challenged myself to “stay on the page” and “just put colour to paper”. “Don’t judge your work. Just take your time and enjoy”. It was a totally different experience this time round. So my point is this… It does happen that we sometimes do things because they are supposedly relaxing but we go into that activity as if it’s a chore or “something that needs to be done”…and then it really defeats the purpose… I learnt this lesson today ♥️
Ah yes, that's so true! I get like that sometimes :) I love Buddhist sand paintings as an example, since they spend all that time making them, and then by the time they're done, they just erase the whole thing. Meaning it was about the process, enjoying it, being in the here and now, and not about the end results.
Love slow living and slow eating as well. No fast food junk for me, thank you very much! And after raising three kids and having an art career and two of my own small businesses and having a mild form of MS I'm finished with commuting and working in the dog eat dog world of corporate America, happily retired and still doing my art! The way so many people work 24/7 and rush around like crazy like I used to do makes me out of breath just to read about it! Besides, MS is a "Slow motion" auto-immune disease of the central nervous system! There's no way in hell one can move fast and my occupational therapist gave me the best advice ever, she told me with MS you have to do everything in increments since it's an energy depleting disease like many other illnesses as well. Slow and easy, what I've always told my kids! R & R, rest and relaxation! Europeans and their thousands of years old cultures, traditionally do everything slower and take longer meals and vacations, we could learn a thing or two from them and follow their lead! Thanks for the tips, too!
I feel like the concept of joy and happiness is very much tied to slow living in some ways. I'm not someone who likes being pushed into doing more, whether it's my choice or not. I'd also say that mindful breaks really can be a game changer! Especially in a work setting where I have to stand for most of my shift, I value the time I get to spend sitting down, and sometimes, I'll prop my feet up on an empty chair just to let them rest. It's the little things in life that help me feel less stressed or tired lol 😄
Watching this video is perfect timing as I've just left a job today. After 27 years I'm not working and I have been feeling extremely anxious and stressed about the future and wondering how I'm going to be productive. This video has just reminded me that there are other things to life which I need to appreciate.
Thank you so much! Lately I did a presentation about time management in IT projects, and I mentioned it helps if we understand that we won't do everything but at the end of the day we have to choose what is important and what is not (and it was a bold statement considering it was a presentation for employees ;)). And I see it really needs a mindshift because people by default want a recipe for being able to do more and more and more ... And I'm very sorry to hear how tired they are... Thank you so much.
Ah yes, so interesting. :) Definitely matters how we look at it. If we're always focused on getting more, more, more done, then our list will never stop growing.
I have about 6 favourite slow songs that I tend to play every night as I wind down for bed. My brain now associates this sequence as chill time and I am normally very sleepy before the end of the songs. Thank you for another wonderful video.
I love slow living, I think it is one of the most important antidotes to the stresses and dysfunctions of modern life. I grew up with a very contradictory experience; my family due to the culture where we come from would embrace a number of aspects of slow living - such as taking 2 hours to slowly enjoy a meal and all the conversation that it included, but then in the world beyond our house the culture was (and is) very busy and productivity minded. I ended up quite ashamed of the slow living aspects of my upbringing but thankfully I'm embracing them again 🙂 I love your points about enjoying the process of things, taking breaks between activities, enjoying silence and living each moment not just documenting them! Your slow travel point made me chuckle as like you I used to cram so much into a trip that I needed an additional week to recover from it when getting back home. I want to take a minute to say how gorgeous the images you used in this video are and how perfectly they illustrated the mood of the video. Thank you.
Vera, I have been following your channel for over a year, maybe even two years, and I have to say your videos are becoming more and more amazing with time. I enjoy them so much and I think they have an actual positive impact on my life. Thank you so much! 💖
sometimes I think what could I have done if I have'nt followed this channel long back and without knowing all these trips and tricks which are much needed in day to day stressful life..to make our life more easier and simpler..lots of love ❤
I watched this video about 3x 😄 I really love your content. I am on this phase of my life where i choose a slow living and restart & reset my everyday life . I recently quit ( early retirement actually! ) my job for 25 years because I feel im already losing and missing my purpose in life . I had anxiety and a bit of depression at first as I am not used of doing nothing (income wise) .. So glad u had this video its its so helpful it helps me go through the process of slow living.. i must say u really have the gift of talking to people’s mind 😍
Its weird cuz I used to wanna take more photos trying to get the perfect pics to therefore try and "show off" on social media cuz I wanted to be noticed since I had a hard time making friends when I was in middle/high school I learned that it wasn't doing me any favors to follow the crowd and I found out trying to impress others rather than look inward and do whats best for me was really stressful. However in high school I decided to start removing the little social media apps I had and hardly go on them. Its done me wonders and ive never gone back to social media really except for RUclips (being intentional) and not shockingly enough I find I hardly ever take pictures anymore cuz I'm too busy being in the moment and/or feeling senses of awe and wonder experiencing things rather than trying to get the perfect pictures all the time.
3:55 this is just the sweetest thing to say! Definitely a hard lesson for me I still have to work on and really let go of expectations. Thank you for this 💙
Just sharing some things that I have found helpful to not get over-stressed: 1. NO coffee after 8pm 2. DO spend the money and get a well-made and more Comfortable Bed-mattress. You will sleep better. You will have less pain when you wake up. This is definitely worth it. 3. Do not feel like you constantly have to have TVnews on and running in the background. Suppose you checked "Headline News" for just 10 minutes at a time, say, at 8am and again at 6pm, 20 minutes total (i am still working on this one). Relax. You will know the main stories and if a huge disaster happens in your city or country, you will still know from everyone else talking about it. Avoid the hyper-alert needing to be constantly updated. It's draining your other fun. 4. Try to do all bills, business and errands between 9am and 1pm and be finished. Then, you have your afternoon and evening to do what you want. 5. Instead of doing 1-errand-a-day....better to devote half of one day to doing at least 4 in one day and being DONE, then having errand-free days. This is more joyful than to be nagged or pestered every day by yet another trip to pharmacy, car-wash, buying gardening supplies, paying electric bill, etc. 6. In the evenings at home...plan what time you will go to bed. 2 hours before that time, shut the curtains, turn off all lights except TV being on and one other lamp. Do not play the TV too loud. This helps to not rush and provide a calming atmosphere. Then you can sleep deeper on your new bed-mattress. 7. Drinking water during the day is good. Drinking it with one-third of the Glass filled with Ice is much better, and more quenching. Thank you, Vera! Your videos are clear and well-explained, and useful. :)
These are all really good tips! I have recently (this year) begun making a conscious effort to be mindful and feel gratitude in even the smallest things, I truly believe this is what has started me on the road to recovery from a bad case of care-giver burnout. I feel that if everyone could find a way to live more in the moment and appreciate the beauty in the mundane...the world would be a much better place.
Thanks Vera for giving us great reminders to slow down and smell the roses.❤ Life is short and we need to really enjoy every precious moment. As Eckhart Tolle says to live in the moment because that's all we have. Tomorrow is not promised.
I love all your videos Vera. The concept of slow living is so helpful for me because I have bad anxiety and depression. Over the last 2 weeks I’ve been trying to slow down and I feel so much less anxious because of not rushing which in turn helps with my low mood. Have a nice weekend xx
Hi Vera! Thank you for this video with lots of great reminders to take it easy on myself and in life. Even as a therapist (or maybe even because) I need to be reminded to be kind and gentle and put it really into practice in daily life. Thanks!
Thanks so much, happy you enjoyed it!! Even though I'm not a therapist obviously, I feel the advice I share is also still the advice I need myself haha
I really liked the tip about the holidays and also realising that when I take time to slow down the feeling of time slows down too. These both made my eyes open up to that a bit more. Your videos are calming to listen to while I clean homes during work :) thank you 🙏🏻 😊❤️
Hi, Vera! I am so new to your channel and I am so glad I came across your channel ! :) I am a Japanese living in the US for now. I have heard from other videos of yours that you are learning Japanese, which makes me very happy! and it is nice to hear the word like shincha! It feels very fresh after living abroad for a while. We have many shin- something" like shin cha, shin soba , and shin mai (rice!) :) It is very interesting to notice great things about our own culture when leaving the country of our origin or hearing someone who is not from our hometowns talking about our cultures, which brings a feeling of appreciation for our own countries on a different level (at least to me;)). I am very excited to catch up your past videos and the future videos yet to come🤍
Ah thank you so much Hika!! So nice to read your comment :) I've been learning Japanese for quite a few years now. It can be a difficult language to learn, but I really love it and I'm slowly making progress. I have an older video where I speak a little Japanese haha, maybe you'd like it: ruclips.net/video/Eh8xr5zmqUY/видео.html I also have a more recent video where I show a bit more of my love of Japanese green tea: ruclips.net/video/Xem_wrPaxus/видео.html Wishing you wonderful holidays, and all the best for 2023!!
Hola Vera. Entiendo tus vídeos en inglés pero prefiero escribirte en español. Espero puedas traducir. Me encantan tus vídeos. Hace tiempo que los veo. Gracias por compartir tus ideas. Realmente lo disfruto. 💕
Thank you for another useful video, all that you've mentioned resonates with me I don't have any problem with feeling bored, doing nothing or (as I call it) 'practising mindlessness'. It helps me to stay balanced
Moved closed to work twice and finally close enough to be able to not have to rush in the morning- love my 5 min commute!!! Sometimes it’s about making big decisions such as moving that can be stressful in the moment but will give you long term benefits that help along w the little every day things that you mention here. Love your video as always. ❤️
Vera, you mentioned that you have rituals for the season change. Can you make a video about this? I love celebrating seasons, and would love to learn more from you.
Vera, this video was SOO helpful. Lately, I have begun to embrace the slow living concept more and more because I have such a hectic life that feels like it's constantly in motion and there is hardly any time for a break. I have realized that I need to start forcing breaks to happen to prevent from a burnout. I REALLY enjoy your videos, however this one really spoke to me the most so far. Thank You.
Dearest Vera thanks for sharing your awesome vids 💜 one tip of my slow living would be to spend 10 minutes in a designated quiet space at home keep a candle and a stick of incence lit inhale exhale relax don't think relax relax relax let go let go let go🧚♀️💕
When I'm feeling stressed and want to slow down, the first thing I'll do is make myself some herbal tea (most often chamomile). 🤗 Then sitting down, drinking it mindfully, wrapped up in a blanket, even in summer. 😁 I like to review and adjust my to do list and cut it back to the most important/urgent things. What I also like is walking barefoot outside, e.g. in the grass. That makes me feel grounded and relaxed. 🌿
Love your topics of do and don't very much. While closing my eyes and slowly listening to do and don't, it makes me feel cozy and concentrated on this moments. Your voice is very soothing. After listening and accomplishing your clip, I feel that my inner energy and concentration are reboosted. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
Such a great video Vera!! I loved #14 as it is so true! Sometimes you can miss those unexpected moments trying to capture it on film or video. It is just not the same watching/looking at it later as opposed to recalling how it felt experiencing it. #16 is good too. I work with a young woman who continually works through her lunches and I have gently been urging her that her mind would be more efficient if she took a break. I can see burnout starting with her.
Sometimes the best things need time and space to unfold. If I get too accustomed to expecting instant results all the time and lose the capacity for patience, i know I will miss out on so much.
you are so special and I can't get enough of your content! I miss to be able to watch you more often ..but everytime I do is very special and touching. And I'm grateful for that ✨
Wat een fijne video weer! Genieten van stilte wordt zo onderschat. Fijn dat je er zo van kunt genieten. Vroeger wilde ik altijd muziek horen, maar tegenwoordig waardeer ik stilte enorm en heb ik het ook echt nodig. Wat mij erg kalm en in het hier en nu laat voelen is mijn konijnen aaien en om mij heen hebben. Ze laten mij ook lachen. Dat helpt echt. :)
@@SimpleHappyZen I don't know if it's beginning, but I have been watching your videos for a long time. Actually, I had come across your channel by accident and was totally hooked by the sincerity with which you speak. I like that in people.
Thank you for another great video! I love your energy when speaking. I would love to see a video of some of your staple meals, the dishes you showed looked amazing.
Aw thank you so much Darlene! :) I do have two 'What I eat in a day' videos that include recipes. So if you haven't seen them yet, feel free to look them up :)
Hi Vera. How are you ? Hope everything is fine and fresh.. Very nicely explained. This 30 tips are exact definition of slow living life... Thanks. Enjoy moments 🎉🎉
I was Eagerly waiting for this one..as I'm always in rush no matter what..wanted to start slow living..Thanks for inspiration..😃As always loved your video..❤❤ ideas are put together in excellent way..Appreciate your efforts in bringing such valuable content..😇kudos to you👏...Specially 3rd point I would like to give it a shot..😅
Hey. I want your opinion on something. Can someone love rock and heavy metal, but also yoga and meditation? Btw, I was looking forward to this vid. Thanks 🙏
Yes, of course! :) I love rock and heavy metal and yoga and meditation haha. Certainly. You don't have to pick your interests all from the same 'group' or 'life aesthetic'. You can pick and choose and personalize as much as you want.
Hi Steph, thanks so much! I haven't really done a house tour yet, because it always felt a little too private to share online for the world to see 😊 But I'm thinking of doing kind of like a modified version of it haha
Ha ha. It’s prob a good exercise in patience for me once I apply the furniture stripper (redoing furniture lol). You often have to sit back and let the chemicals do the harder work for you for about 15-45 minutes. 😅😅
@@SimpleHappyZen Lol. Thanks! Taking my time. I often have to remind myself how I’m not 20 something anymore. (Well my body def isn’t, that’s for sure. Lolol). I guess at least the one thing I do more of now is pay a lot more attention to the achy or pain or tired cues than I used to and I let things rest more or have more breaks. I also stop in the middle and just notice things more like ok that hurts your knees. Go get a stool. Etc. Lol. I often have to remind that hyper little kid inside of me that Rome wasn’t built in a day. Lol. Or it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Etc. I think one huge thing prob is whatever we want to achieve, we need to work WITH it like a partner and not FOR it like we are its lackey grunt worker or slave and think more long term and not just short term. 😬
Here’s my extra: reading a book leisurely that has nothing to do with my business. Just for pure enjoyment. And I don’t rush either. Oh, and it’s a real book…not digital.
Can you make a video on how to make a schedule for yourself? I remember in one of your videos you said The most important thing is to schedule a day to make the schedule but it's hard for me since my work schedule always changes how can I make a flexible but structured schedule? Thank you
Someone once said : "You are a human being, not a human doing." I love that so much I use it as a mantra.
Yes, I love that one too!! :)
Wow! that is the best thing I have read so far, thank you so much 🥰
@@nikolinavrhovski160 You're welcome.
I recently ran into an old friend, she asked me what do I do with all of my free time. For a moment I felt like I was suppose to defend myself but I told her I have plenty to do or not do if I please. I realized it was more about herself- an anxious, stressed out overachiever. I kind of felt sorry for her although I understand it is what she chooses. I feel so fortunate to have a slow life now as it hasn’t always been true for me either although I do know it is my true nature. Thank you for sharing your true nature with us. I look forward to your videos and your calm, beautiful ways.
Thank you so much! :) So happy you're enjoying a slower life and my videos too :)
I’m recently “early” retired after many years of burnout riddled with anxiety. I have fully embraced this healing time and the art of slow living, but I feel like I am constantly having to defend my peaceful lifestyle to people. But in the end, I am so much happier and at peace than they seem to be.
Don't pretend to have all the answers. Nobody does. Keep learning. Keep striving. Keep succeeding.
I get up at 5 and drink my coffee on my back porch. I listen to the waterfall in my pond and listen to the birds singing. , and pet my cat. I tend to hit my to-do list too hard even though i am retired ...but this gives me peace and an awareness to slow down
Sounds like such a lovely morning ritual :)
Im 63 yrs old not retired yet happened to be here coz Im binge watching you tube videos about reorganizing my place and life as a whole. I suffer depressions periodically your chanel is helpful. TY.
Honestly.. you have soft , fine/pretty , light complexion etc. Keep up the good work Angel.
Seen babybirds fly out of their nest for the first time. I was lucky enough to see it yesterday. I sat down and dropped my intentions to cook, and stayed seated until the last one went out. Really enjoyed it. 🐦 Hope you had a good time at the beach🌊
Aw that's so cute!!
I often feel judged as lazy for needing to live a slow simple life. And at times i see others who have "busier" seemingly more full lives and feel bad. I never used to feel this way........i used to write articles about simple everyday life but something has shifted.....
Could be good to reflect about for yourself 😊 Maybe you're missing something specific, that you could add to your simple life to 'juice things up', so to speak?
Vera, as always, these are wise words! I find that after 30+ years of very stressful work, I have had to teach my body how to relax again. I have been retired for 2 years now, but I still find myself in a tense knot. It's just my body's habit learned from life. So like learning to pay attention to breath, I also pay attention to my muscles and consciously relax them. Just like in meditation, but staying present to this throughout my day. I have major health issues due to living an extremely stress-filled life for 60 years! I wish every young person who sees this would learn from my experience. I thank you so much for being you and sharing you! 🤗💗
Not rushing to my commute🙌 A BIG YES. I used to walk at the speed of running when I was in university. Now I've trained myself to walk really slow and with composure. Less sweating, no cramps in the shins, no hyper breathing and much calmer mind when I reach my destination.
Hahaha yes, I recognize this so much 😄
Great video! Turning off my phone notifications, intentionally unplugging every day, and only checking my IG once a week, has done wonders for my anxiety. Honestly, it has changed my life! I’m more present, I appreciate stillness, I’m more aware, less stressed, have time to read or take a walk, and my FOMO is gone. If I miss something, I honestly don’t care bc the peace and calm I feel is worth the trade off. Stillness, quiet, and setting personal boundaries are the best things that ever happened to me.
Love love love this!!
Gardening makes me slow down. Plants germinate and grow at their own pace, so gardening teaches patience.
Yes!! Love that 😄 "Nature doesn't hurry, yet everything is accomplished." (Lao Tzu)
The Good Lord has been trying to teach me patience for a long, long time. I am retired now and practicing patience on a daily basis, but think I still have a lot to learn. You are very helpful.
Wow, I realized I actually do a lot of those, even though I have a lot to do.
I really enjoy your videos. Thank you so very much for making them.
Just sharing…
I enjoy colouring very much but honestly I don’t always get the relaxation out of it that I so desire…
I’ve come to realise that when colouring I tend to focus on choice of colours, technique, wanting to get it done because I want to see the end result. So often times it’s as enjoyable.
So this morning I challenged myself to “stay on the page” and “just put colour to paper”. “Don’t judge your work. Just take your time and enjoy”.
It was a totally different experience this time round.
So my point is this…
It does happen that we sometimes do things because they are supposedly relaxing but we go into that activity as if it’s a chore or “something that needs to be done”…and then it really defeats the purpose…
I learnt this lesson today ♥️
Ah yes, that's so true! I get like that sometimes :) I love Buddhist sand paintings as an example, since they spend all that time making them, and then by the time they're done, they just erase the whole thing. Meaning it was about the process, enjoying it, being in the here and now, and not about the end results.
Love slow living and slow eating as well. No fast food junk for me, thank you very much! And after raising three kids and having an art career and two of my own small businesses and having a mild form of MS I'm finished with commuting and working in the dog eat dog world of corporate America, happily retired and still doing my art! The way so many people work 24/7 and rush around like crazy like I used to do makes me out of breath just to read about it! Besides, MS is a "Slow motion" auto-immune disease of the central nervous system! There's no way in hell one can move fast and my occupational therapist gave me the best advice ever, she told me with MS you have to do everything in increments since it's an energy depleting disease like many other illnesses as well. Slow and easy, what I've always told my kids! R & R, rest and relaxation! Europeans and their thousands of years old cultures, traditionally do everything slower and take longer meals and vacations, we could learn a thing or two from them and follow their lead! Thanks for the tips, too!
I feel like the concept of joy and happiness is very much tied to slow living in some ways. I'm not someone who likes being pushed into doing more, whether it's my choice or not. I'd also say that mindful breaks really can be a game changer! Especially in a work setting where I have to stand for most of my shift, I value the time I get to spend sitting down, and sometimes, I'll prop my feet up on an empty chair just to let them rest. It's the little things in life that help me feel less stressed or tired lol 😄
Watching this video is perfect timing as I've just left a job today. After 27 years I'm not working and I have been feeling extremely anxious and stressed about the future and wondering how I'm going to be productive. This video has just reminded me that there are other things to life which I need to appreciate.
So happy to hear the video helped remind you of that. So excited for you, wishing you all the best with this new chapter!
Perhaps one of the benefits of doing yoga is that I cannot multi-task during yoga. I am completely present.
Yes, same for me :)
Thank you so much! Lately I did a presentation about time management in IT projects, and I mentioned it helps if we understand that we won't do everything but at the end of the day we have to choose what is important and what is not (and it was a bold statement considering it was a presentation for employees ;)). And I see it really needs a mindshift because people by default want a recipe for being able to do more and more and more ... And I'm very sorry to hear how tired they are...
Thank you so much.
Ah yes, so interesting. :) Definitely matters how we look at it. If we're always focused on getting more, more, more done, then our list will never stop growing.
I have about 6 favourite slow songs that I tend to play every night as I wind down for bed. My brain now associates this sequence as chill time and I am normally very sleepy before the end of the songs. Thank you for another wonderful video.
Ah that's lovely!
“There is more to life than the ToDo list” , truer words have never been spoken!
I love slow living, I think it is one of the most important antidotes to the stresses and dysfunctions of modern life. I grew up with a very contradictory experience; my family due to the culture where we come from would embrace a number of aspects of slow living - such as taking 2 hours to slowly enjoy a meal and all the conversation that it included, but then in the world beyond our house the culture was (and is) very busy and productivity minded. I ended up quite ashamed of the slow living aspects of my upbringing but thankfully I'm embracing them again 🙂
I love your points about enjoying the process of things, taking breaks between activities, enjoying silence and living each moment not just documenting them! Your slow travel point made me chuckle as like you I used to cram so much into a trip that I needed an additional week to recover from it when getting back home.
I want to take a minute to say how gorgeous the images you used in this video are and how perfectly they illustrated the mood of the video. Thank you.
😍🤗❤
Vera, I have been following your channel for over a year, maybe even two years, and I have to say your videos are becoming more and more amazing with time. I enjoy them so much and I think they have an actual positive impact on my life. Thank you so much! 💖
Aw thank you so much!! I really appreciate it and I'm so happy to hear my videos provide value for you that way :) Have a lovely Monday!
My first video of yours, I love it! Retired for a year now and have come to realize that I don’t have to be busy every second of every day🦋🦋❤️🙏
sometimes I think what could I have done if I have'nt followed this channel long back and without knowing all these trips and tricks which are much needed in day to day stressful life..to make our life more easier and simpler..lots of love ❤
I watched this video about 3x 😄 I really love your content. I am on this phase of my life where i choose a slow living and restart & reset my everyday life . I recently quit ( early retirement actually! ) my job for 25 years because I feel im already losing and missing my purpose in life . I had anxiety and a bit of depression at first as I am not used of doing nothing (income wise) .. So glad u had this video its its so helpful it helps me go through the process of slow living.. i must say u really have the gift of talking to people’s mind 😍
About #13, my (Ukrainian) mother always said "The morning is wiser than the evening" 🙂
That's very wise 😊
Its weird cuz I used to wanna take more photos trying to get the perfect pics to therefore try and "show off" on social media cuz I wanted to be noticed since I had a hard time making friends when I was in middle/high school I learned that it wasn't doing me any favors to follow the crowd and I found out trying to impress others rather than look inward and do whats best for me was really stressful. However in high school I decided to start removing the little social media apps I had and hardly go on them. Its done me wonders and ive never gone back to social media really except for RUclips (being intentional) and not shockingly enough I find I hardly ever take pictures anymore cuz I'm too busy being in the moment and/or feeling senses of awe and wonder experiencing things rather than trying to get the perfect pictures all the time.
3:55 this is just the sweetest thing to say! Definitely a hard lesson for me I still have to work on and really let go of expectations. Thank you for this 💙
🤗💖💖
Just sharing some things that I have found helpful to not get over-stressed:
1. NO coffee after 8pm
2. DO spend the money and get a well-made and more Comfortable Bed-mattress. You will sleep better. You will have less pain when you wake up. This is definitely worth it.
3. Do not feel like you constantly have to have TVnews on and running in the background. Suppose you checked "Headline News" for just 10 minutes at a time, say, at 8am and again at 6pm, 20 minutes total (i am still working on this one). Relax. You will know the main stories and if a huge disaster happens in your city or country, you will still know from everyone else talking about it. Avoid the hyper-alert needing to be constantly updated. It's draining your other fun.
4. Try to do all bills, business and errands between 9am and 1pm and be finished. Then, you have your afternoon and evening to do what you want.
5. Instead of doing 1-errand-a-day....better to devote half of one day to doing at least 4 in one day and being DONE, then having errand-free days. This is more joyful than to be nagged or pestered every day by yet another trip to pharmacy, car-wash, buying gardening supplies, paying electric bill, etc.
6. In the evenings at home...plan what time you will go to bed. 2 hours before that time, shut the curtains, turn off all lights except TV being on and one other lamp. Do not play the TV too loud. This helps to not rush and provide a calming atmosphere. Then you can sleep deeper on your new bed-mattress.
7. Drinking water during the day is good. Drinking it with one-third of the Glass filled with Ice is much better, and more quenching.
Thank you, Vera! Your videos are clear and well-explained, and useful. :)
These are all really good tips! I have recently (this year) begun making a conscious effort to be mindful and feel gratitude in even the smallest things, I truly believe this is what has started me on the road to recovery from a bad case of care-giver burnout. I feel that if everyone could find a way to live more in the moment and appreciate the beauty in the mundane...the world would be a much better place.
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts Lisa, loved what you said! Hope you're feeling better now 🌷
Thanks Vera for giving us great reminders to slow down and smell the roses.❤ Life is short and we need to really enjoy every precious moment. As Eckhart Tolle says to live in the moment because that's all we have. Tomorrow is not promised.
Yes, so true! Thanks Cathy, have a lovely Sunday!!
Another great and helpful video. For me, if I don’t make time to just relax and read I go crazy:)
Hahaha yes, so important 😄❤
I love all your videos Vera. The concept of slow living is so helpful for me because I have bad anxiety and depression. Over the last 2 weeks I’ve been trying to slow down and I feel so much less anxious because of not rushing which in turn helps with my low mood. Have a nice weekend xx
Hi Alice! Good to hear that slowing down has been helpful for you in that way ❤ Take care my friend!
Hi Vera! Thank you for this video with lots of great reminders to take it easy on myself and in life. Even as a therapist (or maybe even because) I need to be reminded to be kind and gentle and put it really into practice in daily life. Thanks!
Thanks so much, happy you enjoyed it!! Even though I'm not a therapist obviously, I feel the advice I share is also still the advice I need myself haha
I really liked the tip about the holidays and also realising that when I take time to slow down the feeling of time slows down too. These both made my eyes open up to that a bit more. Your videos are calming to listen to while I clean homes during work :) thank you 🙏🏻 😊❤️
Thank you so much Sandra, happy to hear those points resonated with you!
Good morning Vera. Now you have me sighing and yawning. I think I could take a nap but I just got up a little while ago. 😀
Good morning! :) Haha maybe something to look forward to!
Hi, Vera! I am so new to your channel and I am so glad I came across your channel ! :) I am a Japanese living in the US for now. I have heard from other videos of yours that you are learning Japanese, which makes me very happy! and it is nice to hear the word like shincha! It feels very fresh after living abroad for a while. We have many shin- something" like shin cha, shin soba , and shin mai (rice!) :) It is very interesting to notice great things about our own culture when leaving the country of our origin or hearing someone who is not from our hometowns talking about our cultures, which brings a feeling of appreciation for our own countries on a different level (at least to me;)).
I am very excited to catch up your past videos and the future videos yet to come🤍
Ah thank you so much Hika!! So nice to read your comment :) I've been learning Japanese for quite a few years now. It can be a difficult language to learn, but I really love it and I'm slowly making progress. I have an older video where I speak a little Japanese haha, maybe you'd like it: ruclips.net/video/Eh8xr5zmqUY/видео.html I also have a more recent video where I show a bit more of my love of Japanese green tea: ruclips.net/video/Xem_wrPaxus/видео.html Wishing you wonderful holidays, and all the best for 2023!!
Hola Vera. Entiendo tus vídeos en inglés pero prefiero escribirte en español. Espero puedas traducir. Me encantan tus vídeos. Hace tiempo que los veo. Gracias por compartir tus ideas. Realmente lo disfruto. 💕
Thank you for another useful video, all that you've mentioned resonates with me
I don't have any problem with feeling bored, doing nothing or (as I call it) 'practising mindlessness'. It helps me to stay balanced
😍
Moved closed to work twice and finally close enough to be able to not have to rush in the morning- love my 5 min commute!!!
Sometimes it’s about making big decisions such as moving that can be stressful in the moment but will give you long term benefits that help along w the little every day things that you mention here. Love your video as always. ❤️
So true! :) Have a nice day today
Vera, you mentioned that you have rituals for the season change. Can you make a video about this? I love celebrating seasons, and would love to learn more from you.
Thanks so much, good idea :) I did make a video on Patreon sharing my autumn ritual a few months back :)
I'd love to see a video like that too!
THIS is one of my favorite videos ever!!!!!!!!!! From anyone:). Thank you so much. ❤️❤️❤️❤️🥰
mine too!! FL gal here too :)
😍❤❤
loving all these do´s and don´ts. Thank you Vera, as always, great content
Thank you so much Patricia 🌺🍓
Love this video Vera! I saved it to my faves so I can come back to it and do these tips! Thank you for all of your hard work! Hugs! 🥰❤️💚
Yay, so happy to hear it!!! 🤗🌷💐
Vera, this video was SOO helpful. Lately, I have begun to embrace the slow living concept more and more because I have such a hectic life that feels like it's constantly in motion and there is hardly any time for a break. I have realized that I need to start forcing breaks to happen to prevent from a burnout. I REALLY enjoy your videos, however this one really spoke to me the most so far. Thank You.
Wow thank you so much Alexis :) That's nice to hear. Yes, definitely plan some breaks for yourself!
Dearest Vera thanks for sharing your awesome vids 💜 one tip of my slow living would be to spend 10 minutes in a designated quiet space at home keep a candle and a stick of incence lit inhale exhale relax don't think relax relax relax let go let go let go🧚♀️💕
I love that! 🤗🌷 Thanks for sharing Deborah. Enjoy your Sunday!
When I'm feeling stressed and want to slow down, the first thing I'll do is make myself some herbal tea (most often chamomile). 🤗 Then sitting down, drinking it mindfully, wrapped up in a blanket, even in summer. 😁 I like to review and adjust my to do list and cut it back to the most important/urgent things. What I also like is walking barefoot outside, e.g. in the grass. That makes me feel grounded and relaxed. 🌿
So lovely! You inspired me to go and make some chamomile tea right now myself 💖
@@SimpleHappyZen Aww, that's great to read! 🤗❤ Enjoy it! 🌿
The thing is ,,to do list,, never ends. We need to remember about regular breaks
Yes, that's so true! :)
You have been such a Blessing these years.
Aw thanks Kenneth :)
Love your topics of do and don't very much. While closing my eyes and slowly listening to do and don't, it makes me feel cozy and concentrated on this moments.
Your voice is very soothing. After listening and accomplishing your clip, I feel that my inner energy and concentration are reboosted. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
Aw that is so nice to hear!! 😄💐 Thank you so much
Ha! 😃 Thats what I do! I lie down, close my eyes, put Vera's video on and just listen to her! Really a cosy corner in my day!
It’s always a good day when a new video of yours gets posted…. I love them so much 🥰
🥰🥰🥰
Such a great video Vera!! I loved #14 as it is so true! Sometimes you can miss those unexpected moments trying to capture it on film or video. It is just not the same watching/looking at it later as opposed to recalling how it felt experiencing it. #16 is good too. I work with a young woman who continually works through her lunches and I have gently been urging her that her mind would be more efficient if she took a break. I can see burnout starting with her.
About #14, yes exactly! The experience itself is the most important thing for me 😊
Sometimes the best things need time and space to unfold. If I get too accustomed to expecting instant results all the time and lose the capacity for patience, i know I will miss out on so much.
Thank you for new video. I am so glad. I have watched each video of yours 100 times already. ❤❤
Wow thank you so much!!! 🤗💫🌱 Have a great rest of your weekend
you are so special and I can't get enough of your content! I miss to be able to watch you more often ..but everytime I do is very special and touching. And I'm grateful for that ✨
Sending a big hug your way! 🤗🌷
@@SimpleHappyZen 💜
Those dishes of food look very tasty! 😋
Perfect!!!
Well said!!!🥰🥰🥰
Thank you so much Rosie :) Take care and have a nice day!
Wat een fijne video weer! Genieten van stilte wordt zo onderschat. Fijn dat je er zo van kunt genieten. Vroeger wilde ik altijd muziek horen, maar tegenwoordig waardeer ik stilte enorm en heb ik het ook echt nodig. Wat mij erg kalm en in het hier en nu laat voelen is mijn konijnen aaien en om mij heen hebben. Ze laten mij ook lachen. Dat helpt echt. :)
Acchhh!! Geef ze een extra aai van mij
@@SimpleHappyZen dat zal ik doen 🐇🐇🐇🐇
Loved the video Vera. Thanks for posting such positive, motivating videos. Though I don't comment as I used to, I watch all your videos.
Thanks so much Jana, that's so nice to hear :) I remember you were here since the beginning I think! :)
@@SimpleHappyZen I don't know if it's beginning, but I have been watching your videos for a long time. Actually, I had come across your channel by accident and was totally hooked by the sincerity with which you speak. I like that in people.
Wonderful video, Vera. Thank you for sharing wonderful ideas. I am happy to find that you are a Nekoatsume fan!
Excellent video ….. as usual !
Truly enjoyed it !
🤗
So happy to hear it 😄💐 Thanks Teresa, hope you're having a nice weekend so far!
Thank you, Vera, for this video. Since I stopped rushing through my days, I feel so much besser.
Thanks, Vera, for your content, so applicable & relatable for our lives. ❤
Love your videos and love your shirt ❤️
Aw thanks Kimberly!! Have a lovely weekend
Thanks for this video 🥰🙏
Thank you for another great video! I love your energy when speaking. I would love to see a video of some of your staple meals, the dishes you showed looked amazing.
Aw thank you so much Darlene! :) I do have two 'What I eat in a day' videos that include recipes. So if you haven't seen them yet, feel free to look them up :)
Thank you, Vera ❤
You're very welcome, take care and have a nice day!
Great reminders Vera!
Thank you Joan!! :) Have a happy Monday!
Thank you Vera ❤ I enjoyed the video very much and I am looking forward to try some of this ideas, have a nice Week!
Yay, happy to hear it! :) Let me know how they work out. Have a nice week!
Thank you for all your helpful content. I would also be interested in hearing more about your rituals for seasonal changes.
Thank you so much :) Enjoy your day!
Thank you for this great video❣
You're very welcome Marika :) Enjoy your day!
@@SimpleHappyZen You too, Vera! 🤗🍀
Hi Vera. How are you ? Hope everything is fine and fresh..
Very nicely explained.
This 30 tips are exact definition of slow living life...
Thanks. Enjoy moments 🎉🎉
Thank you so much! I'm doing well, hope you are too!
I was Eagerly waiting for this one..as I'm always in rush no matter what..wanted to start slow living..Thanks for inspiration..😃As always loved your video..❤❤ ideas are put together in excellent way..Appreciate your efforts in bringing such valuable content..😇kudos to you👏...Specially 3rd point I would like to give it a shot..😅
So happy to hear you enjoyed the video! Yes, if you feel like you're always in a rush, definitely try nr 3. I think it could be helpful :)
I really needed this today, thanks Vera xxx
You're very welcome :) Take care!
This is such an amazing list...thanks for sharing!❤👍✌
Hey. I want your opinion on something. Can someone love rock and heavy metal, but also yoga and meditation? Btw, I was looking forward to this vid. Thanks 🙏
Yes, of course! :) I love rock and heavy metal and yoga and meditation haha. Certainly. You don't have to pick your interests all from the same 'group' or 'life aesthetic'. You can pick and choose and personalize as much as you want.
Beautiful, inspirational video. Thank you from my heart, Vera!
Thank you so much Kiki!! Hope you're having a nice weekend so far 💐🌿
Great video 🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️
Thank you so much :)
I love this content ❤️
Thank you Julie! :)
Thank you for the tips 😊!
You're very welcome Ana! :)
Hi Vera! Great content as always! Totally off topic question: do you have a house tour video? ☺️
Hi Steph, thanks so much! I haven't really done a house tour yet, because it always felt a little too private to share online for the world to see 😊 But I'm thinking of doing kind of like a modified version of it haha
Ha ha. It’s prob a good exercise in patience for me once I apply the furniture stripper (redoing furniture lol). You often have to sit back and let the chemicals do the harder work for you for about 15-45 minutes. 😅😅
Haha funny 😄 Good luck with your furniture project!!
@@SimpleHappyZen Lol. Thanks! Taking my time. I often have to remind myself how I’m not 20 something anymore. (Well my body def isn’t, that’s for sure. Lolol). I guess at least the one thing I do more of now is pay a lot more attention to the achy or pain or tired cues than I used to and I let things rest more or have more breaks. I also stop in the middle and just notice things more like ok that hurts your knees. Go get a stool. Etc. Lol. I often have to remind that hyper little kid inside of me that Rome wasn’t built in a day. Lol. Or it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Etc. I think one huge thing prob is whatever we want to achieve, we need to work WITH it like a partner and not FOR it like we are its lackey grunt worker or slave and think more long term and not just short term. 😬
Excellent 👏🏻💕
Thanks Suzy, glad you enjoyed it! :)
All good tips
Thank you :) Have a nice day!
great video i love it and u r so pretty.
Perfect 🎉
I enjoy ur videos
Thank you so much! :)
Here’s my extra: reading a book leisurely that has nothing to do with my business. Just for pure enjoyment. And I don’t rush either. Oh, and it’s a real book…not digital.
Stoicism. My occupation is being a good person. 😊
Can you make a video on how to make a schedule for yourself? I remember in one of your videos you said The most important thing is to schedule a day to make the schedule but it's hard for me since my work schedule always changes how can I make a flexible but structured schedule? Thank you
Slow living in a cabin in the woods making my own clothes, growing my own food, sounds like a lot of hard work to me.😎
Hahaha yes, I guess that's true 😂
Neko Atsume! Darn Tubbs. 😂❤️
Hahaha yes!!
Vera, what is FOMO?
fear of missing out
Yes 😊 Fear of missing out. My apologies, probably should have explained it in the video 😊
Beautiful always ❤️😘
Thank you so much, enjoy your weekend!
Tell me more Tell me more! ❤️ I’d love to hear about how you celebrate the new season if you want to share. Video?? 😎
Hahahaha thanks for the suggestion!! :)
wow Im first! 🥰
Wow im 2nd🤪
I feel that Do's and Don't's are not for me. I prefer to be reminded like: "remember to..." or "It is helpful to..."
I love your tips though.
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