In a world that seems to spin faster with each passing day, the concept of "slow living" has emerged as a gentle rebellion against the rush. With the fast-paced nature of modern life and its constant demands and distractions, we are often left with feeling very overwhelmed and disconnected from what truly matters.
Slow living is an invitation to pause, to breathe and to reconnect with life's simple pleasures, because when we take a moment to step back and reflect, we can see that we are a lot luckier than we realise and how much it actually affects our overall health.
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The BEDA Principles of Slow Living
Taking a slower, more mindful approach to life can actually do wonders for your skin. When you’re less stressed, your body produces fewer stress hormones like cortisol, which can cause breakouts and inflammation. Our body works as unit, and everything intertwined. Stress is a really good catalyst that like to break things down.
By being more intentional with your habits and focusing on self-care, you naturally help your skin stay calm and healthy. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) also plays into this, with its emphasis on balance—whether it’s through diet, rest, or emotional well-being. So, slowing down not only makes you feel better but gives your skin the chance to look its best too.
Soft Thoughts, Soft Habits
Embracing your softness is about being kinder to yourself, both in your thoughts and your habits. Soft thoughts mean letting go of constant self-criticism and allowing room for mistakes.
Soft habits are about building routines that support your well-being—like prioritizing rest, eating well, and finding moments to relax. It’s not about doing more, but about stepping back from the constant hustle and focusing on balance.
We are all about this (team softies only), and we can see how embracing softness into our daily habits have great impact on our overall skin health.
Create a shift in the language you use to speak about yourself and to yourself. Here's an instagram post I ran into and I loved it. It really shows how the language you use drastically affects your mindset, and therefore your action plan:
Intentionality
By being intentional with how you treat yourself, both mentally and physically, you are creating a space for a healthier, more sustainable way of living.It's about being present in the moment, being fully engaged in whatever you're doing, whether it’s sipping tea, reading a book, or having a conversation.
Try to make conscious choices about how you spend your time and energy, focusing on what truly brings you joy and fulfilment every day.
What we consume and digest is so important (and I'm not just talking about our skin food recipes), and it affects us in ways that we don't even notice day to day.
It's always good to have a cut off time. Take a moment to reflect, how much negativity are you consuming on a daily basis? What would your life be like if you cut it out? What are my boundaries or what do I want to set as my boundaries moving forward?
Having these conversations with yourself will help you better determine what and when to stop consuming things that are not good for you mentally, physically and emotionally.
Daily Reminder Check :
Did you drink enough water today?
Simplicity
The less the better, seriously. We are all for being as simple as possible in our skincare routine but, simplicity goes beyond just a basic skincare routine—it’s about decluttering all areas of your life. When you clear away physical clutter, you reduce stress and create a calming environment that can help improve your skin by lowering those stress-related flare-ups.
Mentally and emotionally, letting go of the things that don’t serve you—whether it’s toxic habits, overwhelming schedules, or negative self-talk and people—makes room for what really matters.
This holistic approach to decluttering allows you to focus on taking better care of yourself, from the inside out. When your mind and space are clear, your skin can thrive, reflecting the balance and calm you’ve created.
Something that I did recently was reading. Re-falling in love with the simplicity of reading had been such a medicine. It's been such a gift to be be a part of the Beda Book Club, because it is really one of things that helped me implement a slower lifestyle and make time for activities that support that.
But it's not just reading. There's this quote I stumbled across a while back, and I often think about it often that shows how it really is the simple things that make the largest impacts:
Connecting Body With Nature
Connecting with your body and nature through daily movement and fresh air is a key part of slow living—and it benefits your skin, too.
Simple activities like walking outdoors, stretching, or just something as simple and obvious as taking time to breathe deeply can reduce stress and boost circulation, helping your skin get the oxygen and nutrients it needs to stay healthy.
By moving mindfully and embracing nature, you align with a slower, more intentional lifestyle, which supports both your mental well-being and overall skin health.
It’s all about tuning into your body, slowing down, and letting nature do its thing.
Did You Know?
That looking at the colour green actually help release eye strain especially in comparison to focusing on a bright, artificial screen.
Taking a nature walk is so helpful to lowering stress levels. Rachel for example, found that making the effort to take a 30 minute walk before she starts her day actually plays a significant part in stabilising her mood for the entire rest of the day.
I myself also love resetting my eyes by going to cafes or parks that are surrounded by greenery and flowers to get fresh air, and I really do feel rejuvenated.
Mom Was Right, It's That Damn Phone
Yes, there's no denying that our phones are incredible tools. But the constant use can be overwhelming, and it's a major reason we feel this urgency to always be on the go.
Being online has become almost unavoidable. For some, it’s a career; for others, it’s the lifeblood of their business or how they maintain relationships. But isn’t it wild how it’s becoming harder and harder to unplug, even when we want to?
The pace of modern life often leads to burnout, stress, and ironically a heightened sense of disconnection. Slow living offers an antidote to these challenges by encouraging balance and mindfulness.
Have you heard of a Dopamine Detox?
Give it try and you might find:
Improvement In Mental Health: By prioritizing rest, relaxation, and mindful practices, slow living can reduce anxiety and improve overall well-being.
Greater Creativity: When we slow down, we give our minds the space they need to wander, dream, and create. Many people find that their creative energy flourishes in this more relaxed state.
Stronger Relationships: Slow living encourages us to invest time in our relationships, fostering deeper connections with the people we love.
Enhanced Appreciation of Life’s Small Pleasures: Whether it’s the warmth of the sun on your skin or the smell of freshly brewed coffee, slowing down allows us to savor life’s simple joys.
POV - You're Ready To Be A Holistic Skincare Girly
It’s important to remember that slow living isn’t about perfection. As much as we hold our cult favourite MATE close to our hearts, we know that the absolute best skincare can’t be found in any bottle. It really is the people and the habits that make up your life.
It’s not a rigid set of rules but rather a flexible philosophy that you can adapt to your own life. For some, slow living might mean a minimalist lifestyle; for others, it might simply involve slowing down their mornings or carving out more time for creativity.
In the end, slow living is about more than just slowing down. It’s about reclaiming your time, living with intention, and finding fulfilment in the simplicity of everyday moments. These really are the true luxuries of life.
So, take a deep breath, let go of the rush, and embrace the beauty of a slower, more intentional life.
With love,
Alia
P.S Create > Consume, Always
Spend Your Sunday Making Beautiful Things
Make new friends whilst making pretty things at our small, intimate “Art for Breakfast” workshop.
Hang out with Rachel and @jean__adrienne, founder of Ves Studio and Singapore’s quirkiest & multi-talented ceramicist.
We’ll have free pastries, coffee, tea & good music.
