From constantly being on the go, to transitioning to a slower pace has been a jarring experience to many people who found themselves in a pandemic. This has also resulted in an impact on our mental health.
According to a recent report by Google, there has been a significant cultural shift when it comes to 'slow living' that the pandemic has unleashed. The shift has caused more people to embrace this new space they find themselves in by taking on a new hobby or self-care activities to help them destress.
What have we been searching
Being in a different and often stressful space makes us look for inspiration and relaxing ways to keep sane. Baking banana bread, searching for meditation videos, relaxing soundscapes, and taking on hiking trails are just some of the trends that have been keeping many South African's sane.
Looking for ways to cut back and relax has been an ever-increasing theme of slow living with more people flocking to YouTube to find ways in which they can embrace simple living.
If you have found yourself searching for relaxing or calming activities or being influenced into purchasing candles and aromatherapy products, you have entered the slow living phase.
A new way of looking at things
One of the benefits that have come with this cultural shift is being able to spend more time reflecting on things that can add value to our lives and cutting back on things that tax us mentally and financially.
Google trends have found that most people search for two main categories: Aspirational and escapism content. Looking at things that help us retreat from the space we find ourselves in and tapping into a different mindset by learning something new makes the changes most people face bearable.
The same goes with finding practical ways to adapt finances to ease the financial stress of being in a pandemic. The pandemic exposed just how underprepared many South African's were when it came to planning for the future and unexpected expenses. Not only were budgets stretched thin but having basic protection in the form of life insurance, funeral cover, and income protection was not in place.
However, with the rise of slow living more people have shifted towards contemplating ways in which they can create a financial safety net that will protect them when they need it the most.
Creating a lasting legacy through slow living
Whether slow living is something that you have already embraced or pushed into embracing, it has shown that changing how we did things is crucial for anyone to thrive.
Being more mindful of how you tackle your finances, creating a safety net that protects you and your loved ones when you need it the most, and enjoying the simple things in life such as spending more meaningful time with the people you love can create a long-lasting impact.
It's within the small healthy habits that you create daily that a legacy is built on, even if it is the simple act of slowing down and reflecting on how you can create the most out of life.
