#30daysofslow Sept, 2020 series

hello girls, how are you?

As we head towards the last quarter of 2020, we are back again with our #30daysofslow challenge!

I think that there is something about the month of September that sets the stage for retreating inwards and making space for reflective moments of self-care. As we had done last year, we would love to invite you to join us in this journey with the ZS Communitea for the next 30 days starting 21 Sept (as I write this, I realise I am a day late from posting this entry -oops!)

To begin your slow journey with us, all you need is to set the intention for the next 30 days to dedicate a couple of minutes each day to slow down and check-in with yourselves. It could be dedicated time in the morning for sitting reflectively with a cup of herbal tea as you write your gratitude list/or set your weekly intentions. Or quiet evenings, as you put on the kettle & in-between prepping for dinner. In short, the quiet time set aside for the next 30 days would be moments set aside intentionally for self-care.

To get you started, here are a couple of pointers:

1. Slow down in some way, every day

The beauty about this challenge is that it's entirely up to you to set the pace and make it your own, with the added inspiration and support from the ZS Communitea. You could keep it simple, and even if it's just a simple quick few minutes of morning affirmations as you sip your morning tea, it would still be your very own self-care slow practice, just try to commit (to making yourself a priority), every day, even if it is just for a couple of minutes.

2. Set your intentions

As with most things, the act of stating your intentions (on paper) keeps us committed. In my experience, writing down my intentions has changed me in so many way and has helped me keep my focus (despite life's usual distractions). To start your #30daysofslow challenge, mark it down on your calendar (and write short notes of your intentions next to the entry).

3. Remember that slowing down doesn't mean being lazy or being unproductive

Slowing down doesn't mean being irresponsible /unresponsive to our daily responsibilities and commitments. It's about knowing where to create boundaries between what needs to be done right now vs. what can be done over time, thus leaving spaces of time during the day for proper self-care. We can't pour from an empty cup, and most often, when we make time to replenish ourselves, often, we emerge more creative & productive than we were before (try it!).

How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.. - Annie Dillard

Some books I have been reading lately about slowing down (& thought you may like):

1. Slow Down and Grow Something : The Urban Grower's Recipe for the Good Life, Tess Robinson

2. Down to Earth : A Guide to Simple Living,Rhonda Hetzel

3. Chasing Slow: Courage to Journey Off the Beaten Path, Erin Loechner

4. Destination Simple, Brooke McAlary

5. Slow Parenting Caring for Children with Intention (an inspiring approach from the Nokken Kindergarten),Helle Heckmann(Author), Nancy Blanning(Foreword), Tine Schmidt(Translator), Jonathan Eliot(Translator)

Herbal recipes you could test out while on your own #30daysofslow challenge

(to this point, I promise we would be making more recipes in the coming quarter!)

Sending you so many pots of herbal tea, x