Slow: Simple Living for a Frantic World

by Brooke McAlary

Overview

Free Yourself from a Frantic Life and Embrace the Joy of Slow Living

What is slow living? It's a way to find happiness by stepping away from the never-ending demands to constantly succeed and acquire more and more. It's easy to get stuck in the carousel of frantically wanting, buying, and upgrading the things in your life. The philosophy of simple living is about finding the freedom to be less perfect and taking time to enjoy the pure joys of life: a walk in the forest, sharing laughter with family, a personal moment of gratitude. Reconnecting with the living world can help you integrate moments of peace, joy, and mindfulness into an otherwise rapid life.

Simple living: After being diagnosed with post-natal depression, Brooke McAlary learned about the power of minimalism and found that the key to happiness was a simpler, more fulfilling existence. She put the brakes on her stressful path and reorganized her life to live outside the status-quo, emphasizing depth, connection, and meaningful experiences. Brooke shares the story of her journey alongside practical advice for simplifying in ways that work for your life.

In Slow: Simple Living for a Frantic World, you'll find:

• Guidance for forming your own slow life
• Ways to declutter and de-own
• Tips to replace messiness with mindfulness
• Paths forward to answer the question "Where to now?"

Slow: Simple Living for a Frantic World is an excellent addition to your library if you have read Soulful Simplicity, The Art of Frugal Hedonism, The Year of Less, or Destination Simple.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781492665540
Publisher:	Sourcebooks
Publication date:	07/10/2018
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 8.10(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Brooke McAlary is a slow-travelling, gutsy shiraz-appreciating writer who, after being diagnosed with severe post-natal depression in 2011, embarked on a one-woman mission to cut out the excess in her life and reconnect with what was really important. She is now immersed in the Slow Living philosophy, and makes it her mission to help others define and achieve their slow living goals.

She writes the blog Slow Your Home, and hosts and produces the podcast, The Slow Home Podcast. She is currently slow-travelling her way around North America with her family.

Table of Contents

Introduction vii

Start with Why 3

Declutter 31

De-Own 77

Mindfulness 109

Disconnect To Reconnect 149

A Cabin in the Woods 185

Wobbly Balance 211

The Art of the Backslide 241

Where to Now? 251

Further Inspiration 259

Acknowledgments 261

About the Author 265

Editorial Reviews

05/14/2018
McAlary (Destination Simple) gives a much-needed gift to the chronically overcommitted with this wise self-help primer. After McAlary suffered from a debilitating bout of postnatal depression following the birth of her second child, she took a hard look at her life and realized that she was miserable trying to “keep up with the Joneses” by accumulating more accomplishments and possessions, while working too much to ever fully enjoy them. Inspired by blogger Leo Babauta’s “Zen Habits,” the author began a campaign to simplify her life. She began by decluttering—both literally and figuratively—and makes a critical point when she reminds readers that any lasting change comes gradually. Wisely, McAlary doesn’t insist readers immediately and drastically streamline their lives. Instead, she encourages asking clarifying questions, such as “Do I want this?” and “Do I need this?” She also dispenses a prescription for mindfulness, beginning with “the simple art of paying attention,” and recommends putting down one’s smartphone or tablet and interacting with others. Refreshingly, McAlary is the first to admit that getting from anxiety to zen was anything but a smooth process, and her candor will encourage others to follow her inspiring advice. Agent: Maggie Thompson, Allen & Unwin. (July)

Publishers Weekly

"McAlary gives a much-needed gift to the chronically overcommitted with this wise self-help primer. " — Publishers Weekly

"When so much of the messaging out there tells us to speed up, Brooke shows us how and why we might want to slow down. There is no one right way to do it, but it does start with noticing. Noticing what weighs you down and letting some of those things go. And noticing what leaves you feeling fulfilled and making time for more of that, instead. With the words coupled with the imagery, this book is a manifesto for what happens when you pursue a slower, simpler and more meaningful life." — Cait Flanders, author of The Year of Less

"I loved this book! It was short and sweet with many moments of brilliant and insightful ideas to live a more meaningful and thoughtful life." — Paul Jarvis

"If I could only give three words to describe Brooke McAlary's Slow, they'd be gentle, honest, and actionable . . . the perfect ingredients for a meaningful read." — Courtney Carver, author of Soulful Simplicity

"A highly readable and attractive resource for anyone looking to slow down and decompress." — Library Journal - STARRED review

"Finally, a slow living guide for the imperfect folks. If you're looking for a rule-riddled, anxiety-ridden manifesto thick on sanctimony and decree, you won't find it here. Paired with tremendous insights and joyful illustrations, Brooke McAlary's exuberant, honest words are a refreshing contribution to the slow living community. If you're seeking a simpler path, start here." — Erin Loechner, Blogger at DesignforMankind.com and author of Chasing Slow

"Brooke McAlary shares her recipe for living a meaningful life in her new book, Slow. After reading this book, you'll have an amazing list of ingredients that can help you create a meaningful life, too!" — The Minimalists Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus

From the Publisher

★ 07/01/2018
Several years ago, McAlary found herself consumed by busyness, sky-high expectations, and a lot of clutter. She set out to change all that and found that a slower life was a more contented one, offering this practical guide to living simply. Photographs, guided exercises ("Check in with Your Why," "Taking Stock of Your Senses," "Spreading Kindness"), personal experience, and helpful lists assist in showing readers how to declutter, disconnect from technology, and employ mindfulness as a tool for savoring every moment of every day. VERDICT A highly readable and attractive resource for anyone looking to slow down and decompress.

Library Journal

Australian author and popular podcaster Brooke McAlary advises listeners on how to slow down to embrace their own best lives. When she finds herself diagnosed with postpartum depression, McAlary’s psychiatrist asks her whether she’s ever considered “doing less— slowing down.” Narrator Larissa Gallagher’s pleasantly Australian voice shares insights from McAlary’s long (and ongoing) journey to do just that—create a life with less anxiety and more health, happiness, and peace. Gallagher captures the author’s own imperfect efforts to understand why a slower life is a better life. Striking a sympathetic and conversational tone without any preachiness, she’s easy on the ears for those contemplating their own too-fast, too-cluttered lives. Listeners will enjoy learning to embrace “wobbly balance”—the realization they can’t do it all perfectly—and to harness their own best versions of mindfulness techniques. J.C.G. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine

DECEMBER 2018 - AudioFile