Slow Spotlight: Csermely Szilvia on a Life Shaped by the Mountains and the Land
So many people have inspired me on my own journey towards living a slower, simpler and more seasonal life, and I’d love you to be inspired too. The Slow Spotlights series shares with you some of their journeys, and I hope that by reading about these, you too may be inspired and encouraged.
What does living slowly, simply and seasonally mean to you
In this Slow Spotlight, Csermely Szilvia shares her love for nature, and the way in which growing up, particularly in the countryside of Romania, has shaped and nurtured her desire to live a slow, simple, and more seasonal life. She explores what living slowly means to her and the ways in which she thinks this could have a positive effect on so many others - particularly in a productivity-driven modern world where so many are tethered to their phones.
What does living slowly, simply and seasonally mean to you?
To me, living slowly means not feeling the need to conform to the usual narrative of our society, the one which makes us feel like we’re not ‘good enough’ if we’re not constantly productive, always engaging in social events, or keeping up with the newest fashions and trends. Living simply and seasonally go hand-in-hand with a slower-paced lifestyle, so I don’t differentiate much between the three - I relish all of these things, molded into one way of living, like a clay pot or a multimedia piece of art.
How does living in this way have a positive impact on your life?
Living simply has numerous positive aspects, which you, Clementine, and almost everyone else reading this already know. I would say the number one positive impact of living slowly upon my life so far, as a teenager who witnesses so many of my peers depressed, is this: the nonexistence, or at least very minimal amount of stress in my life.
Modern people are constantly battling time and chasing meaning, whilst their phones are taking up all of their attention - they never sit down in quiet solitude for long enough to rest - whilst those who live as slowly as possible, have the chance to take a breath and realise who they truly are.
Are there elements of living in this way which challenge you?
The first thing that comes to mind (admittedly, a first world problem) is the fact that by choosing to live in the countryside of Romania, we can’t go swimming very often. I love swimming - in lakes, and pools alike - so I’d say my biggest challenge is having to travel to swim. We choose not to have a car which can be limiting in terms of transportation, but in reality, living here in the countryside, options to get around still exist, even if it means we get to walk a lot. And we do walk a lot, which helps us to stay fit and healthy. But living in the mountains, it’s uphill both ways…!
When did you first become aware that you craved a slower and simpler approach to life?
I was born into a slow, and very simple way of life as I spent the first four years of my life on a small farm in the plains of Hungary, so I found this lifestyle to be natural and it came with ease to me. It was when we lived in Totnes, UK, when I was 6-years-old, that I did not enjoy living in a town. Even at such a young age, I realised that it is much easier to live a slow life in the countryside versus in the city, so moving to northern Romania was a welcome change for me.
Who has inspired you on your journey to living a slower, simpler and more seasonal life?
So many people have inspired me to live this way: my parents first of all, and more recently, all the wondrous people I’ve met on Substack. It would take too long to list them all, but rest assured, you are on the list!
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to others looking to embrace a slower, simpler and more seasonal approach to life?
My advice to people is this: get off your phone for as many hours a day as possible. Choosing a more analog way of life will automatically enable you to slow down - the chances are good that it will become more meaningful too.
Do you think your approach to life can challenge others? Is slow living easy to stereotype?
Many people have told us in the past, “I respect your lifestyle, but I could never live like you!” I do believe that this way of life isn’t ‘easy’ in the modern sense; however, it is so rewarding when you get the hang of it. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing - you can easily implement slow, simple, and seasonal routines into your day. Yes, this lifestyle can be stereotyped with big straw hats and fancy hashtags, but I don’t believe that degrades any of its merits.
How do you think the past can help us live with more awareness in the present?
Foraging is something people in the past knew how to do, not only because it helped them survive famine or illness, but because it was an intrinsic part of their lives. Nowadays even villagers think nettle is poisonous or only edible for pigs! I believe that relearning how to live off the land will be paramount in coming years. There are so many skills - done completely with human hands - that are in danger of being lost. It’s time to revive the ones that still mean something to us, before they disappear completely.
Csermely Szilvia is a young artist and writer. She lives in the haystackstack-studded mountains of northern Romania, drawing and writing almost daily. She loves gardening, reading, playing with dogs, and doing anything that involves nature. Her aim is to rewild the earth as much as she can, rekindling wildness within herself and within all those she meets, in person, and online.
You can read her writing at the Daily Dose of Nature, along with her Mom’s, Cheryl Magyar. She also shares her thoughts at Earth Gratitude Studio.
Inspired by Csermely’s story? Discover more creative people living slow, simple and seasonal lives in our Slow Spotlights series. You can also join our community, Rediscover · Reconnect · Re-Emerge for weekly reflections.
