In Pursuit of A Simple Life | Slow Living

Life moves fast. Often too fast. And honestly, I'm sick of it. This is where slow living comes in. Today we raise some thought provoking questions about rest, recreation, and work.

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Hey! Welcome to my channel. Here we do weekly videos about minimalism, productivity, and living a better life. Thanks so much for being here.

[lukeddm]

Hey Nick! I've been watching your videos for a couple of months now and am stoked I found your channel. You're great at clear, concise delivery of your ideas and it's rare to find a 'smaller' creator with such quality production value as well, making it a treat to watch.
We're aligned on many key values when it comes to what makes a life satisfying and meaningful, and it's great to hear your takes. As someone on a similar journey, keep it up. These are messages that need spreading in this era of fast tech and hijacked attentions, and they'll help people change their lives for the better.

[lensofjess]

'Being' to me are those moments where I lay on the floor and stare up at the dust particles catching in the light, when I go outside just to enjoy the sound of birds or the smell of rain, or any other moment where I consciously try to mute my mental chatter and take in what is going on around me without judgement.

[triplevhome]

Im used to simple living in the Philippines thats why I chose to live also the province life here because I just want to simple slow life. I never bring work issues at home that way I have my peace. this is a great video for a great view in life🎉🎉🎉

[ZachMurtaugh]

Your episodes are calming and relaxing

[simplelivingindonesia]

This is a video that comfort my slow night, after I worked so hard ❤

[PenniP]

This is the first video of yours I have watched. I am a get it all done on my todo list… until I am sick, my house is overwhelming and all I want to do is sleep. THANK YOU for this very timely video. My word for 2025 is reset.

[iunn]

maybe being is the state of mind you’re in when doing those activities you find restoring - for me that’s cooking and just enjoying that process. my mind is simply there but i do not actively think about anything/ plan ahead, i am in the moment and only focused on the task at hand

[josephbrooks]

A great video! It was nice to take some time to slow down while I'm on study break. I look forward to more videos from you good sir. ( Tips hat )

[macelloni]

Hi Nick from Italy! If you want "to be", I suggest trying to contemplate. Stay outside, feel the breeze in your hair, then the sun on your skin. Look at the panorama surrounding you and focus on one thing that catches your eye. Breathe, and be grateful for everything around you. It takes time, but you're such a great guy. Keep publishing videos—they mean a lot to me as I'm on a similar journey to yours. Mec

[MissAndDav]

Great video. Thank you. I really like the definitions of rest and of recreation and your comparisons of them both.
I have been working on 'being' and using mindfulness to get into the 'present'.

If I delve too much in the past I can get depressed. If I go too far into the future I get anxious. So I am trying to spend more time being in the present time. It is good to plan ahead and then put the plans to one side and try to get back to the present.

There are loads of mindfulness techniques. I like the ones engaging the senses. Eg what can I see, smell, hear etc.

I like the idea of rest bringing peace to the soul (like that definition).

[jadonswanson]

Hey, so I am a 21-year-old, and I am in the same exact boat this year of learning to just be. I feel like I am trying to live in the simplicity of life. I have never related to a video on YouTube more I found your content a few months ago and it has really been impacting my life so thank you

[NicolineXD]

Loved your video! I'm in the same kind of process right now, and struggle with recreation and resting. When we aren't asleep we always have to direct our attention somewhere, and that is a form of doing. Maybe doing and being can't be separated completely, but we can maybe do being. If that makes sense.
The only "do being" I can think of is doing meditation and mindfullness; spending attention on the present moment. That is the closest thing to motionless and inacrivity I can think of.

[MrThePonder]

Holy shit, I'm doing the exact same thing where I don't allow myself to relax until I got everything done. Which in retrospective is impossible... There's always going to be something to clean or fix or do.

[sarahjanser]

Oh I really love this book as well! I keep re-reading it at least once a year. Rest for me means to be active, whether it is going for a walk and taking photos, enjoy nature, cleaning, go for a run, reading, thinking and journaling. I feel uncomfortable resting (at least the way one is supposed to be resting). Always tried to "fix" that, but I came to the conclusion that it's totally ok to rest a different way. I'm really curious what you will come across in your journey! Love your channel and content a whole lot! Thanks for sharing!

[chezsonson]

Curious why you think rotting on the couch is not rest? Being a very active/hardworking person myself, it's actually hard to stay rotting on my bed/couch. So making myself do that is part of the learning to enjoy being.

[adrianq]

Maybe you can be being also while you're doing, it's not an either or ? However it's more an Eastern mindset like beginner's mind, letting go of outcomes and efficiency, etc. of course there needs to be a balance and we all need to get things done but for those big on doing, really need to emphasise slowing down, be curious, do your tasks wholeheartedly for the task itself, etc. ideally being should be 7 days a week, not just sunday plus an evening 😂

Thank you, btw, i enjoy your videos and insights, i hope you keep it up.

[jeremy]

Hi Nick, It has already been said that if you expend all of your energy and do "Everything" all at once, you might think you are doing good work to all of them, but in reality, it isn't.
If you try to expend all your energy doing everything you wish to do, it will become half ass work, and poor. Living Slowly brings that expectation down to something MORE manageable.
The less you have to point your energy at, the better your work load will be, in the long run.
Ya know, taking an afternoon nap with my partner is something we enjoy, and I am here, watching your video, instead of napping !!! UGH !!!
Ya can't do everything and expect to be able to expend that kind of energy at that level, for a long period of time, before you CRANK OUT and Drop Like a Cement Block !!!
You can either DO A LOT and DIE TRYING, or you can Do Less, and Live A lot LONGER !!! If you do not rest your body and recharge your batteries and FILL your own CUP,
What on earth will you have to give to all that Hysteria you do on a daily basis ??? NOTHING !!

[dhrqnd]

For some inspiration on how to rest, I recommend the book "create space" by Derek Draper and "Rest, 7 ways of rest to.." by Allison Hay. Enjoy the journey!

[JohnDoe-kgy]

I also solved two puzzles over new year. 🙂

[andrewalexander]

8:13 Where is that? That looks so cool!