When psychologist Pooja Vegesna moved to her grandparents’ house in rural Andhra Pradesh, she had only one motive: to admire the way her grandparents lived and document her journey through her social media platforms. Her grandparents, who used to lead a simple life away from the busy and dynamic metro cities, are now living a ‘slow life’ and she too is trying to live such a life, which includes cooking food on her own, connecting with nature and being spiritual.
Pooja is not alone. Recently, many Indians like Pooja from all generations – Gen Z, Millennials, Boomers or Gen X, are changing the way of life. This change is evident in various trends like social media, fashion, relationships or travel.
The art of doing nothing
Rush. 70 hours a week. 75 hours of hard work. If there is one group of Indians who prefer to work 18 hours a day, there is another group of people who are ditching the regular 9 to 5 or hectic lifestyle and are adopting a slow, sustainable life.
Indian billionaire businessman and founder of tech company Zoho, Sridhar Vembu, is a well-known example of this. In 2019, he left his high-profile job in the US and moved to a village in Tenkasi district of Tamil Nadu. He made a factory in Mathalamparai village his office instead of the metropolis. According to NBT, Zoho Corporation’s revenue had exceeded Rs 8,300 crore by 2022 and Sridhar is enjoying the peace of village life while running a successful tech company.
“There has been a significant shift in the lifestyle choices people make. From a dynamic and stressful life, people are moving towards living at a slower pace,” says Ashmin Munjal, an ontologist and mental health and relationship expert.
Slow Media
Siddhashram, a mystical and secret land in the Himalayas, is considered a retreat for Hindu yogis. However, the concept of slow living in the Himalayas is not limited to Hindus. Many places in the region also hold religious significance for Buddhists, Jains, Sikhs and Muslims. Recently, slow living as a lifestyle has piqued the interest of many.
Social media is currently full of trends that reflect the principles of slow living. Cherry Sin quickly rose to fame on social media for her slow life. With just 581 posts on Instagram, she has over 3.5 million followers.
A recent study by travel company Agoda revealed that Indians are choosing to explore places like Ahmedabad, Goa and Ayodhya. “Slow travel has resonated deeply with the modern traveller. In a world where life moves fast, the opportunity to slow down and really connect with a destination is invaluable,” said Krishna Rathi, senior country director for India and Maldives at Agoda.
What do the figures say?
The sustainable fashion market in India is set to grow steadily with a growth of 10.6 per cent from 2021 to 2026. Indian fashion brands like Nicobar, Okhai, Ilamara and others are carving out a niche by moving away from the constant cycle of trends. One such name is Sabyasachi Mukherjee who often advocates Indian crafts and his clothes also point to the same.
business today In an article for , he writes, “I can say without hesitation that Indian craftsmanship is unparalleled. We do not have cheap skills but cheap labour, which leads to cheap products because of narrow-minded business decisions.”
He further writes, “Many countries have great economies, but only a select few have crafts and culture. Maybe today China can do things that India cannot. Still, India has a competitive advantage through crafts. We have preserved and honed our traditional skills, which has ensured their continuity. When crafts and culture skip a generation, they never come back. When India turns 100, the demand for luxury goods will be driven by crafts and authenticity.”
Analysis by apparel and footwear brand Public Desire also shows that India ranks ninth globally for slow fashion, with US$9 billion or 8.491 per cent of the market dedicated to sustainable fashion.
Why is slow speed life important?
Dr. Mayurika Das Biswas, psychologist and manager of the internal transformation department at Freedom from Diabetes, explains, “A fast-paced life often leads to a number of physical and mental health problems. It is less beneficial as the quality of life is reduced, making experiences seem less satisfying. Even if friends live nearby, connecting and meeting them can be difficult due to busy schedules. As a result, many people find that a slower paced life is healthier for their mental health and essential for a longer, more satisfying life,”
How to live a slow paced life?
If you want to try a slow-paced life, experts like Ashmin Munjal suggest that you don’t need to make too many changes to begin with.
- According to Ashmin, the first step is to identify and prioritise the aspects of life that are most important to you. Don’t waste your energy on non-essential things. Simplify your schedule by reducing your responsibilities and activities and you can start living slowly.
- Practice mindfulness and unplug regularly to relax your mind and soul. This will help you enjoy the present and live in the moment.
- She also says that instead of moving away from cities, spend quality time with the people you really want to be with.
- “Always remember to appreciate every little moment in your life, no matter what your environment is,” she says.
- Dr Biswas suggests that relocating to a smaller city reduces travel time, giving you an extra 2-3 hours each day to relax, self-refresh or catch up on sleep.
- She adds that if relocation is not possible, consider working from home or working remotely a few days a week. This can help you regain valuable time spent traveling.
- According to Dr Biswas, it is also important to prioritise self-care. Remember that these steps are even more important if your job doesn’t allow you the time to ‘live slowly’.
- “Make time every day for exercise, yoga, and meditation, which can naturally slow down your pace and help you focus on the things that really matter,” she says.
(Report- Drishti Sharma)
Source (PTI) (NDTV) (HINDUSTANTIMES)