10 Ways to slow down that would make grandma proud

We’re constantly running from A to B, as soon as we wake up there are already 101 things bouncing around our heads, things we have to get done before the end of the day.

But because we’re time-poor we take shortcuts, we sit the kids in front of the telly, we grab takeaway for lunch or dinner because it’s quick and easy, we drive the car down the road to the shops because we can’t take the time in our busy lives to take a 30-minute walk. It can all get a bit much and even though it is great that we have all these things to rely on to make our lives easier and more efficient, it might not be such a bad idea to make a plan to get back to basics and simplify our lives in ways that would make our grandmas proud. From getting crafty to getting to know your neighbours, give yourself permission to slow down.

We know it’s tough to get a home-cooked meal prepared among what is expected of us during the day. Usually the last thing we want to do at the end of a big day is cook a meal. But make time for it. Turn off the television and make a night of it. Whether it’s just for you and your housemates or your partner or the whole family, give yourself some down time in the evening to cook a healthy meal for everyone. The satisfaction you will get by watching your loved ones enjoying something you’ve prepared will have you returning to the recipe books before you know it.

Recipe ideas. Chicken Pad Thai recipe >>

Of course we can’t rely on walking to get us from A to B all the time, but why not make weekly plans to go for a walk instead? Walk to the shops, to work, to a friend’s house — no matter where you’re off to, leave the car in the driveway and get some fresh air and exercise.

Gran might not have grown her vegies herself but she would have bought them directly from the farmer. None of this multi-national supermarket business. Get back to basics by knowing exactly where your produce comes from — it could be your own backyard! Then you can use all the delicious fruit and vegies to make all those family dinners you’re going to be preparing.

No-one likes to have to clean the house, especially when time is limited, but our living environment is a direct reflection of our emotions and feelings. If our home is cluttered and an unorganised mess, then chances are our mind will be just as cluttered and messy too. Take the time to organise your home and make it a reflection of the calm and in control person you are, or at least want to be.

Take up a hobby which lets your creative juices flow. Not only is it a great distraction from the busyness of work and home life, it will allow you to become relaxed and creative which just might help other areas of your personal and professional life. If you really want to make Nan proud, why not try knitting or crochet. Think they’re just for nans? Think again, these crafts are big among younger generations too. Give it a go and impress your nan with your scarf-making abilities.

Need some craft inspiration? Here are craft projects from recycled materials >>

With email, WhatsApp, Facebook and the rest of them, the art of letter writing seems to have been forgotten. But not for long, why not get your notepad and pen out and write a letter to a friend or a loved one? Whether they live interstate or just a couple of suburbs over, they will be surprised when they receive your well thought-out postal message. Who doesn’t love receiving letters in the mail?

The cakes from the local patisserie are, no doubt, delicious, but why not take the time to put some love into your very own homemade cake. Share it with your neighbours or bring it along on a family dinner. Taking the time and effort to bake something for the people you love will be sure to put some smiles on some faces. Why not use one of Grandma’s favourite recipes?

There is nothing better than waking up to the smell of freshly baked bread wafting through the house. By baking your own bread, not only can you use your own hands to create something delicious but you will know exactly what ingredients go into it. Why not create your favourite blend of ingredients?

Do it one night a week or every night if you can handle it. Instead of plonking yourself on the couch in front of the telly after work, why not listen to music, put the radio on, sit down with a good book or do some work on your new hobbies?

Give yourself time to relax, like really relax, and do absolutely nothing. You’re not listening to music or thinking about what you have to get done tomorrow, oh no, we dare you to sit in a chair, or lie down and do absolutely nothing. No thinking, no talking, no reading. Just sit and be for 10 minutes whenever you can.

Think of your own ways of how to get back to basics that would make your grandma proud. Be sure to share your ideas in the comments below.

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