The girlboss hustle culture is no more. We are now welcoming the “slow living era.”
This trend on social media has skyrocketed, with #slowliving having millions of videos under it on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. This lifestyle consists of self-care, sustainable living and anti-hustle culture. Instead of waking up at five am every morning, completing a HIIT workout or a five-mile run, we are waking up at a reasonable hour and reading our books or journaling. The mantra this trend follows is a focus on slow gentle movement and mindful activity. Keeping active through yoga, walks and pilates is the new “it girl” move. Complementing this is an extensive skincare routine and a lovingly crafted brekkie of avo toast. With all those morning tasks complete it’s time to head to work – but don’t worry if you don’t feel up to the grind, you can take it slow. This lifestyle sounds like a dream, however, I’ve begun to feel like this way of life is exclusive to those who can afford to take it slow…
Often, trends on social media are created by those who possess masses of privilege, and this is no exception. The ability to “live slowly” discounts the responsibilities of reality for most. Those who are juggling multiple jobs, have children or are carers, may not be able to take part in this trend of slow living. It can be argued this lifestyle requires financial freedom and perhaps additional hours in the day. For example, paying for pilates classes, expensive journals, or meditating before work takes time and money that the majority of us do not have. Clearly, this is not accessible to everyone. Disconnecting people from reality and the fast-paced nature of certain responsibilities that some cannot afford can be toxic and create judgment, especially through social media.
This era, although focused on living in the present without being influenced by trends like “that girl” and “girl boss,” fails to be realistic. Are the influencers who are recording and posting their everyday moments truly embracing living in the present? I would argue no. Instead, they are recording themselves doing practices like meditating and journalling, which naturally are private and intimate activities.
The slow living trend can be compared with aspects of the Buddhist philosophy, of slowing down and becoming meditative within everyday life. Their focus is deliberately on slowing down and removing the stresses from our lives. A quote by spiritual author, Eckhart Tolle is useful in imagining the slow-living era; “In today’s rush, we all think too much, seek too much, want too much and forget about the joy of just being.” This embodies the core of slow living, but it has devolved into a performative act through the lens of social media.
I have been trying to embody the steps and philosophies of slow living in my routine this week, reading my book while enjoying my morning coffee and taking it nice and slow. I think it is really important to try and implement elements of this philosophy into student life, as it can be very fast-paced and, alongside socialising, it’s hard to find slow-paced parts of your week. I have found waking up that bit earlier to read my book or watch a TV show I enjoy to be a great way to start my day by having that time to myself. I think it’s fair to say that I am in my slow-living era!
Illustration by Violet SK