After the pandemic, being in harmony with nature or learning about yourself is a special priority for many people, turning "slow living" into the most ideal lifestyle today. But how much of it is sincere? How much of it is a media gimmick?

In her book "The Atlas of Al," researcher Kate Crawford sees artificial intelligence (AI) as the latest element in mechanized production system: From 18th-century factories to closed services Packagerd at Amazon's warehouse, every job is broken down and automated every second of the clock. Reluctantly, workers compete with machines, have a body but no head, and lose the ability to percieve time without work.
Scholars from East to West such as Jenny Odell and Han Byung-Chul argue that optimization is ingrained in everyones subconcious - We become respectable members of an achievement society. Even time to rellax should be "productive". The programs we participate in, the content we read should have some value, should help with career advancement. So people can't enjoy themselves, don't have time to just sit there and yearn.

With such a level of expectation for the extraordinary in all activities, you can imaigne how "slow living" is not a new trend. This thinking began to be noticed when Carlo Petrini protested against the opening of McDonald's in Italy, against the spread of fast food that threatens local cuisine and makes people indifferent to things they put in their stomach, from here "slow food" laid the foundation for the subculture of "slow living".
Jenny Odell advocsates "doing nothing" to combat the attention economy. Han Byung-Chul writes of a "burnout society," saying, "Depression - the culmination of burnout - is derived from feelings of excitement, thinking and self-referral to the point of self-destruction. It can be said that the subject of the pursuit of achievement is tired, bor4ed, and self-destructive. Subject is tired, exhausted and full of self-hatered."

In the post-Covid-19 pandemic, the economy needs to "recover quickly", needs to "break through" while workers are not rewady to return to the office, or can completely leave their current positions here to find safety and relaxation, whether at a new job or on a farm away from city life.
Accordieng to the International Labor Organization, the global unemployment rate is expected to remain above pre-pandemic levels until at least 2023. An estimated 207 million people will be unemployed globally in 2022, compared with 186 million in 2019. The labor force participation rate in 2022 is expected to remain lower than in 2019.
On social networks, labor is no longer a glory, inst4ead it is "I don't dream of labour" - I do not dream of working. More than ever, people are cautious about the effects of work and money on mental health and quality of life.

But at the same time, "slow living" is the perfect title for a communication strategy.
The elite learns to meditate in Davos, and we reject society by dressing up in cottagecore, baking bread and knitting shawl - All the necessary tools can be purchased instantly in a few taps. Just thinking about taking a break, algorithms have directed you to a series of travel promotions, self-study courses or simple a coffee shop to help you forget about stress.
Not to mention the perks and finances you need to be able to live on a farm or spend all your free time reading.
The content we see is often performance-based, that the content creator just slows down in front of the camera and doesn't puruse this ideal on a daily basis. And while they advise us to spend more time with ourselves, they're slamming ads for one or more brands trying to reach and already tired audience. When slow living is seen as a type of content to produce and needs recognition, the message no longer makes sesne.

As with most things on the internet, it's best to analyze it from multiple perspectives. Cottagecore or Dark Academia receive a lot of criticism for being unrealistic, but so is working 80 hours a week without burnout. And you can completely slow down without framing yourself as 'aesthetic' in any way. Slow living should not only be applied in your own life, but can also be used in the food industry, fashion, travel... more thoroughly and effectively.
Expect more from a flexible lifestyle, or a job that allows you to indulge in your own space. Don't worry too much when the weekend has passed and you still haven't finished reading the book on time managment. Don't blame yourself for falling in love with baking, knitting, embroidery or any other hobby that is often judged as a waste of time - Sometimes guilt is what tells us if we really enjoy this lifestyle, or if you're just fooling yourself for some bragging pictures.

Reference: Opal Kiyoko Artwork: @taramilktea

Slow Living - Can you afford it?

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