Thoughts on Slow Living
It’s amazing how much has changed for us. My days are slow and genuinely pleasant, yet when I look back, it feels like time is racing by. Lately, I’ve been reflecting on the idea of ‘slow living.’ I’m certainly embracing it here—though, to be honest, there’s really no other way to live in this place. And I truly love every second of it.
Though we have no plans to leave, it makes me wonder if I could keep this slow living mindset if I weren’t in a tiny 12th-century village. Could I still live this way if I were back in the West? The pull toward speed, efficiency, and constant productivity feels almost baked into our culture there, and I imagine it would slowly creep back into my days. What do you think?
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Surprising Benefits
I can say firsthand that adopting a slower pace has brought some surprising benefits for me. If you’ve been following me for a while, you know how invested I am in all things health and wellness. In Colorado, I hiked consistently and felt we ate well, focusing on whole foods. I always wear my Garmin to track my health stats 24/7, and since moving here, the changes have been undeniable. My stress levels are consistently low, my sleep is deeper, and my VO2 Max has improved. I’ve even lost weight and reduced inflammation I didn’t know I had.
Honestly, these stats have surprised me—moving to another country is not stress-free! It’s been challenging, especially managing it all on our own. But I think this shift has a lot to do with the slower pace here. And I’m certain the fresh, unprocessed food has helped as well.

2 Duvet System
Another little change that’s made a big difference? The two-duvet system! It’s common in many parts of Europe but less so in the States or UK. The husband and I each have our own duvet on a king-sized bed, and I have to say… it’s heavenly. We both love it! More on that later because it’s too good to brush over and you must try it if you haven’t. I’ll write another post to convince you.

I love learning new-to-me ways to do things from other cultures. When we moved I noticed people hanging their duvets outside in the mornings and laying their pillows in the window sills. This is such a simple, natural way to keep fresh bedding and promote good sleep hygiene! So, every morning I take the duvets out onto the terrace and hang them over the railing. It’s so nice to shake them out and just let them absorb the fresh air and sunshine while I tidy up the bedroom. Everything smells like the fresh outdoors when we go to bed at night.
Lamb News
Well, it’s finally happened. I don’t mean to brag or anything but a few of the older lambs have accepted me. They’re allowing me to get close to them and it’s pretty much the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. Now I have to figure out what sort of treats are safe to give lambs (and that won’t upset the farmer) so that I can win them over completely. Does anyone know? Alas, my work is never done.

What are your thoughts Slow Living?
Thank you for reading and following along on my little journey! Does a slow living lifestyle sound good to you? Or do you think you’d get bored and find it tiresome? So far, I can say that it’s been a gift for me and I’m very thankful.
You can pin any of these photos to Pinterest , by clicking on the Pinterest button and you can also find me there. I’d love to have you follow me in the LTK app. I’m brainstorming to curate truly useful content for you there- things that I use and love and that are truly helpful. And they’ve really improved that app to create more of a “hang out space”, and it just keeps getting better! I’m also on Facebook. Anywhere you share my content helps me out so much, so thank-you!
Have a great week! Chow!
You may also like:
Preparing for Winter on the Island
Lanterns, Lambs and Living Slowly








Your blog is a constant source of inspiration for me. Your passion for your subject matter is palpable, and it’s clear that you pour your heart and soul into every post. Keep up the incredible work!
I enjoyed this post! I grew up in France in a small village and then a larger town. I now live north of Atlanta and I sure still miss several things about Europe living even 30 years later!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Mireille, there’s just something really special about these European villages. The sense of communit is one of the things I’d like to see come back to the US. I can imagine you have some very lovely memories from your childhood. Thank you so much for reading and commenting. Looking forward to popping over to your blog!
~Melissa xx
I agree that the pressure for constant productivity back in the West can make it harder to maintain that mindset, but it sounds like you’ve found a beautiful balance where you are now. The two-duvet system sounds amazing, and I’m curious to hear more about how it has changed your sleep! We’re almost at the end of the week—how’s everything going for you so far? I just posted a new blog at http://www.melodyjacob.com, feel free to check it out!
Thank you Melody! And yes the 2 duvet thing- it’s gooooood. BTW- love your blog, you’re beautiful and your writing is very engaging!
~Melissa xx