THE BUBBLE THEORY

This is why and how I slowed down

It all started when I was 18, packed my little life into a van, and drove 18 hours with my parents to arrive in the country where I began my degree and a new life. I left my home and moved to Denmark to study. You might think this is a Scandi-life appreciation post (and you wouldn't be entirely wrong), but I have much more to share about slowing down than describing the effects of calm mornings in a small Danish town, biking around (one part of) the island, eating raisin buns every Friday and creating my hyggeligt (cozy) home.

Scandi vibes

How it started

This was the age when the world opened up to me. I was no longer a kid, but I wasn’t an adult either. Every person I met, every project I worked on, every activity I was invited to had a huge effect on me.

Let me break it down:

I did meet a lot of people - I met people from different cultures, age groups, and diverse backgrounds. Very quickly I learned that language is not the only thing that helps us connect with people from other countries. Ideas, interests, lifestyles, and life stages can bring us together.

I worked on dozens of different projects—at school and at work. I quickly learned to collaborate and respect the flow of every group I’m a member of. It became clear that results are not as important as the road we take when working on something. I made connections, and I picked up the rhythm of every work I was involved in.

I finally started to enjoy the outdoors - my teachers organized many outdoor activities, starting with a 20 km bike tour during the first week of school. Well, I didn’t want to miss blending in, so I said yes and after a few kilometers, they put my bike on a trailer and I finished the tour by car. But it started something in me. I started to appreciate nature and the opportunity to move my body in the fresh air.

I studied design - to learn the basics of design, Denmark seemed to be a great choice and it didn't disappoint. From the very beginning, I soaked up everything about the less is more rule, the importance of quality materials, the meaning of natural lines, and most importantly the feelings these create when functionally used.

At that time, it wasn't about slow living; it was more like LIVING. Living in the present and learning to enjoy things I already have. It was about accepting, exploring, and getting to know myself - doing it all SLOWLY, at my own pace. I learned to be present and be the main character of my own story. By not thinking too much about the next chapter of my life I could slow down and be aware of the world around me and the changes happening with me.

This is how it started and since then I still keep those values with me.

What does slow living mean anyway?

There are hundreds of researches on this, but this letter doesn't aim to analyze academic papers and share the definition of slow living. As someone who works on research papers, I do feel the call to do it, but not here and now.

If I were to describe my idea of slow living, I would say it’s about being content with what you have and being in the present. Appreciating the tiniest things and fueling yourself with thoughts that warm your heart. It’s about surrounding yourself with easy, approachable, functional things and people who make you feel seen. It’s about learning, going to places, and enjoying the quiet. Caring about yourself and your environment. It’s about moving with your life, not moving against it. These together allow you to practice gratitude, feel safe, and be the version of yourself that feels the best at the given moment.

Basics of THE BUBBLE THEORY (TBT)

Although my slow-down journey started in the heart of Scandinavia, where slow living and consciousness are valued and practiced, I believe it can be felt and experienced in other places too. I moved back home after 5 years and I created a lifestyle I refer to as my BUBBLE. This helps me keep things quiet, slow, and fulfilling.

The BUBBLE can be designed in so many ways, as we all live at different paces. I believe we don’t have to follow a recipe and force ourselves into things we don’t feel comfortable about. A 5 am wake-up might be part of one’s slow-down life method, but it might feel too overwhelming to others. So the best is to create your own BUBBLE.

Here are a few things about mine:

I walk every single day. I walk with my thoughts - whether to leave them at some point during my walk or to see them from a fresh perspective when I’m back.

I do not rush. 90% of the time I leave on time, but if it’s not possible, I either cancel or let others know I’ll arrive later. I don’t stress myself about being late.

I take care of my health. I believe in holistic methods and I go to regular checkups with the doctors I trust.

I eat good food and I keep a balanced diet. I am on a plant-based diet but I do allow my body to tell me what it wants. If it’s cheese for a week, I do eat it.

I have a tiny garden where tomatoes are always the biggest success. From early spring it’s a nice little habit to go out and love my plants. It helps to keep things slow and be in the present.

I talk. Actually, I talk a lot. I ask questions and I share my thoughts with my husband. We laugh, think, and reflect.

I create. I knit, I bake, I paint, I make recipes, I sew, I take photos, I build things, I renovate old furniture. I do things with my hands as much as possible.

I feel good in my protective net. I visit my family. I go to knitting afternoons to my grandma where we both work on something and do a little chit-chat in between rows. I organize girl dates with my mom. I bake birthday cakes for my mother-in-law. I respect and love my family, and I strive to accept them as they are.

I learn. Learning new things and picking up new hobbies helps me find fulfillment and reflect on my life on a deeper level. It helps to stop and be in flow.

I spend time watching my dog. I have learned a lot from her about the easy life we should all live. I love how she trusts us and how we, as a family with a dog function as a whole.

I read. I’m not a total bookworm, because I’m a picky reader. But I have a sacred home library with selected books and magazines. I swap books and I spend hours in second-hand book shops. It helps time stand still - I highly recommend it!

I work. I’m a freelance copywriter and in the past years, it was my goal to create a system that feels good to work in. I spend so much time at work and I’m very happy with how I manage my clients.

I take care of my environment. I declutter my home twice a year. I make my decorations and I make sure to have a clean, tidy home. I respect my home and I practice gratitude often towards my place.

I travel. I plan consciously and I go with an open heart and open mind. I lived abroad, I recognized and accepted when it was time to move back but I respect my body’s and heart’s desire to explore more. When on a trip, I explore the surroundings but also a new version of myself.

I stay on the realistic side. I do not overconsume. I appreciate small, intentional things more than expensive, nonfunctional objects. I’m very strict in regard of this. I believe that unwanted items make us draw and I stay away from these energies.

I spend time with myself. It’s one of the most important things I do to live a slow life. I spend time reflecting on my goals, reactions, and journey. I am constantly working on myself. I journal, I cry a little, I make plans and I believe in myself.

A new role to strengthen my personal TBT

I’m a soon mom-to-be and preparing for the arrival of my daughter makes me feel even more safe and content in my little BUBBLE. It’s a new journey that allows me to practice all the things that matter to me and make my life slow and complete.

I strongly believe you don’t have to move to the countryside, be isolated, or delete social media and start over to live a slow life. Of course, if this makes you happy, do it! But the real essence of slowing down is about practicing those (not so) small things that make you feel alive.

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What is your slow living journey? Share with me please, I’m really curious to learn what it means to you and what is important in your TBT.