But let’s be real. Slow living doesn’t mean stopping or going completely off grid. None of us have the luxury of dropping everything to meditate by the ocean all day (as dreamy as that sounds). Instead, slow living, to us, is about the small rituals we find in the middle of our messy, busy, wonderful lives.
Slowing down in real life
For Kristy, slowing down is often as simple as walking to the beach. Watching the waves, breathing in the salty air, even hunting for shells with her two boys – those tiny pauses are her way of resetting when the day feels overwhelming.
Bec also finds her version of slow in the rhythm of life with her two young kids – feeding, naps, Hot Wheels track-building. It’s not glamorous, but it’s a season of enforced slowness she’s learning to embrace.
And for Hannah, slowing down is curling up with a book – minimal distractions, low light, a warm drink in hand. Reading has become her daily reminder that slow doesn’t have to be complicated. She’s in her reading era and loving it.
Sance brings yet another perspective: slowing down is not having her whole day structured – finding flexibility with a free afternoon, evening, or even a weekend if she’s lucky. Walking along the coast, or taking a dip in the ocean during warmer months, gives her time out from the daily rush. She makes space for herself by stepping away from her phone, letting go of constant group messages and obligations, even if just for a few hours. She always feels better after a walk, a swim, or a coffee along the coast.
For Hannah, slowing down is curling up with a book – minimal distractions, low light, a warm drink in hand. Reading has become her daily reminder that slow doesn’t have to be complicated.
Finding the moments
Sometimes carving out “me time” can feel impossible, but each of us has learned to hold onto little non-negotiables. Kristy locks in her pilates sessions three times a week, working family schedules around them because moving her body is what helps her power through the chaos.
Hannah sneaks away with a book and coffee whenever the morning rush allows, or unwinds in the evening once the kids are in bed (that evening cup of tea is by far her favourite kind).
Bec, still in the baby season, takes her moments in 30-minute bursts: a hot coffee in the sunshine while Max naps, or a solo walk while the kids are playing with dad.
Sance reminds us that sometimes slowing down simply means giving yourself permission – to step away from screens, responsibilities, and endless to-dos, even for a short while. These aren’t grand gestures, but they make all the difference.
Why a ‘slow living’ issue?
When we started Swell, it came from a question: If money wasn’t an issue, what would you be doing? For us, the answer was instant: “making a magazine.” That moment was about choosing to step back from “busy for busy’s sake” and create something meaningful. In a way, Swell itself is our slow living practice. It’s designed to be read without distraction, savoured like a cup of tea or a golden-hour cocktail with friends.
Print is intentional. It makes you pause. And that’s why Issue 24 felt like the right time to go deeper into what slow living means – not just for us, but for the community around us. The stories inside celebrate locals who are choosing presence, purpose, and creativity over hustle. They’re reminders that while balance is messy and never perfect, there’s joy to be found in the small rituals – simple meals, walks, books and connections.
At the end of the day, we’re not claiming to have slow living all figured out. Far from it. But maybe that’s the point. Slow living isn’t a lifestyle overhaul – it’s a thread that runs through the everyday.
Swell Issue 24 is out now.
We hope it gives you a reason to pause, breathe and savour a good story.
Grab a copy of Swell Issue 24 here
