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, I’m delighted to share the story of Alanna O’Neil. Alanna is a Vermont-born visual storyteller and photographer whose work is rooted in presence, sensitivity, and deep curiosity. Raised on a small horse farm, her early life was shaped by the rhythms of the seasons and the quiet beauty of rural living. After working as a designer for Calvin Klein in New York City, she uprooted her life and moved to Hawaii in search of greater balance and a life more aligned with nature.

Her photography and creative work center around soulful connection to the natural world, seasonal living, and the quiet power of visual storytelling. Alanna is the founder of Visual Voices Collective, a holistic photography program that empowers emerging photographers to find their visual voice through inner work, creative development, and nature-based practices.

She is the author of two cookbooks and has been published in Hawai‘i Magazine, HL1, Flux, and her work has appeared in The New York Times. Alanna works with small artisans, makers, small businesses, conservation efforts, and cultural projects throughout Hawai‘i, using her lens to honor the beauty, spirit, and stories of the place.

What does living slowly, simply and seasonally mean to you?

Living slowly and simply with the seasons means attuning ourselves to the natural rhythms of Nature and the Earth. It’s about moving in harmony with her cycles, trusting that Nature is our greatest healer, teacher, and nurturer. I believe that what we seek, the answers we long for, the paths we hope to stumble upon, can often be discovered when we tune into nature’s frequency: presence. This is an absolute truth for me. It’s in the quiet moments, the simple moments, when I’m in Nature, do the answers I seek rise to the surface.

Photographer Alanna O’Neil capturing the sea from the shore in Hawai‘i, embodying her deep connection with nature and creativity.

For me, living slowly, simply, and seasonally is an act of presence. When we joyfully meet each season, each moment, with our full attention, we open the door for joy, peace, clarity, and contentment to flow in. It’s a practice of appreciating the beauty of the “now” and embracing its quiet potential and hope it holds.

Nature’s seasons are our constant guides. In the depths of winter, nature draws inward, resting, nourishing, and invites us to do the same. In summer, she overflows with abundance, light, and vitality, reminding us to step into our gifts, accept the abundance present that we deeply deserve, live freely and authentically with an open heart, feel the sunshine on our face, take up space, and pursue our dreams wholeheartedly. Each season teaches us how to live in flow with its offerings, helping us find deeper meaning and connection along the way.

How does living in this way have a positive impact on your life?

Living in this way has brought me such a sense of peace and clarity. By slowing down, taking daily pauses in Nature, throughout my day settle my spirit and help me feel more grounded and self-assured. I can’t imagine living any other way because of the peace and contentment it brings me. Slowing down and tuning into the simple joys of the moment has brought a deep sense of gratitude. I feel like it is a doorway, a way of returning back to yourself. It invites you to have a deeper conversation about who you are, what you value, what you want to create, and your purpose. It’s the slow, simple moments that allow space for me to fully see myself, my soul. In turn, I have a deeper, more loving relationship with myself and compassion for who I am in this chapter of life.

Are there elements of living in this way that challenge you?

I think I have a bit of a paradox because I thrive in my own company. I need my alone time, especially in Nature, to recharge and nourish my spirit. Yet, at the same time, a part of my deep desire is connection, and I miss my family dearly. I grew up in Vermont in New England, so my entire life has revolved around the seasons…running barefoot in the summer, snowshoeing in the winter, picking apples in the autumn. It was a very simple, idyllic childhood living on a rural horse farm. Now that I live in Hawaii, a huge part of me misses that deeply. It feels like part of me is missing, which is why I try to travel home as often as I can. Hawaii life is deeply rooted in slow living and living in the present, but it’s a different way with a different seasonal rhythm…and that child who had picnics under the snow-covered pines in the woods and made fairy dresses out of spring tulips in my mother’s gardens deeply yearns for that kind of seasonality.

Pink flowers glowing in the sunshine, captured by photographer Alanna O’Neil in a moment of natural beauty.

When did you first become aware that you craved a slower and simpler approach to life?

I had a unique and idyllic childhood, one I’ll always be deeply grateful for. Growing up on a rural horse farm in Vermont taught me, in the most natural way, the beauty of living simply and seasonally. We grew most of our own food, boiled maple syrup from the trees on our land, and lived what many would now call a homesteading lifestyle. Each season was honored with its own traditions, tapping trees in the spring, harvesting gardens in the summer, stacking firewood in the fall, and cozying by the woodstove in winter. We had no television, no constant hum of screens, just fresh air, open fields, and long days spent outside, even in the coldest Vermont winters.

Vermonters are hearty, resourceful, and humble. They are honest, hardworking people who make the most of what each season offers. It wasn’t until I moved to New York City after college to pursue a career in fashion design that I realized just how deeply I missed that slower, simpler rhythm. The city felt like another planet. I rarely saw the sky or sun, catching only a glimpse of stars, and being surrounded not by birdsong but by the constant screams of sirens.

The turning point came one day as I stood in the dark, windowless, dingy design studio basement of Calvin Klein, shaving fur animal skins for a several-thousand-dollar handbag no one truly needed. A voice rose up inside me - clear, insistent: “this is not for you”. “This is not why you’re here”. I couldn’t ignore it. That very moment, I decided to leave. I packed my bags, quit my job, and returned to Vermont. Eventually, my path led me to find a balance between the quiet grounding of Vermont and the wild, nourishing beauty of Hawaii, a life that feels more like a home to my soul.

The Hawaiian coastline with turquoise ocean, golden sand, and rugged cliffs — a glimpse into Alanna O’Neil’s island surroundings.

Who has inspired you on your journey to living a slower, simpler, and more seasonal life?

I suppose the biggest influence on me was my mother. At the earliest age, she taught us how to be resourceful with the seasons, the gifts each one offers, and how to make the most of them all. She taught me and my siblings to bake, cook, and to grow our own food. We had a large farm, and she primarily ran it all herself, including managing the large kitchen and flower gardens. She is an artist and florist too. So by her nature, she was constantly showing us the beauty of the simple things, like the peonies blooming or the freshly harvested heirloom tomatoes from the garden. Her artistic eye, by default, rubbed off on my siblings and I to see beauty and appreciate the simple things. She would pack delicious, but simple picnics to honor the seasons, whether it was an orchard outing or a snowshoe in the woods with hot soup. Because we had no technology, really, these picnic outings were our way of connecting, being present, and just enjoying the season, regardless of the weather.

Are there any books, websites, or other resources which have helped you and which you’d recommend to others?

I really love the work of Robin Wall Kimmerer. Her book Braiding Sweet Grass is such a beautiful, poetic book that changed my relationship to Nature.

A delicate posy of dahlias and garden flowers on Alanna O’Neil’s desk, reflecting her love of seasonal living and creative presence.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to others looking to embrace a slower, simpler and more seasonal approach to life?

I think it begins by being honest with yourself…really having an intimate inner conversation with your soul and asking what it needs. Ask yourself questions about what small, simple rituals or additions to your life would make you happier? What areas of life can you give yourself permission to slow down? What are some simple seasonal rituals or traditions you want to create? Start small and use what’s available to you; it doesn’t need to be grand. What are some ways you can carve out time in your day to take a pause and simply be? I think embracing a slower, simpler, more seasonal life is about honoring your spirit, your soul, and what brings you the most joy, peace, and excitement. It’s in the slow moments that we can actually hear our soul speak. Start there and see what you discover.

How do you embrace slow, simple and seasonal living within your business and work?

As a photographer, I work at home, which allows me to take pauses when needed. I’m grateful, and I appreciate that it is a privilege to be able to do so. When I feel work is a bit stale or I need a break from the screen, I step away, regardless of how pressing something is, and take a brief pause outside. If I have more time, I go on several walks at home throughout my work day - just quick resets that help me get back to myself and clear my head. My dog, Winslow, my little love of my life, is the best excuse to just take a quick 15-minute walk without my phone or any other distractions. Sometimes we just sit simply outside for a few minutes together, and it's often in these quiet moments that the creative hits or rushes or ideas flood in.

Another thing, which is so simple but nourishes me, is to always have fresh flowers at my desk in a little bud vase or something I picked up at the farmers' market. It's just a bit of beauty that I can look at and lifts me up inside. Flowers, anything in nature really, have such a high frequency and energy, and bring so much good energy to my workspace and home. You can just feel it, and it affects my productivity and just how I feel generally. Another small ritual I have is around 3 or 4 pm, I make a cup of tea and have something sweet, be it a bit of dark chocolate or maybe a bit of cake I made. It’s a quiet pause for that afternoon lull that feels a bit stale and allows me to have a moment to check in with myself and my day.

Do you think your approach to life can challenge others? Is slow living easy to stereotype?

I think because a slower, simpler way of life can be a bit quieter by nature, that could be a bit of a stereotype, or maybe a challenge, although it doesn’t have to be. Living on a farm with ten horses, dogs, chickens, and the whole nine yards was loud, spontaneous, and boisterous as ever! So I don’t think a slower lifestyle means you need to isolate or be more socially quiet. However, in the chapter I’m in now, I definitely am more in that quiet space, but it’s intentional and what I need right now. In time that probably will change, but that’s the beauty of honoring the present, simply being where your feet are planted, and listening to the season your soul is in.

Soft pink roses bathed in sunlight, photographed by Alanna O’Neil as part of her celebration of natural beauty and quiet moments.

How do you think the past can help us live with more awareness in the present?

Absolutely! I yearn for those slower, simpler days in my own past. I think with the rapid rise of technology, AI, and just how quickly things are changing and evolving, turning to a simpler, seasonal way of living is almost necessary because they are honest and true. There is something to be said for how things were done in the past, be it 15 years ago or 200 years ago. I think the slower, humbler, more seasonal lifestyles of the past can teach us a great deal about being present, staying rooted, being resourceful, and seeing the beauty in the process. Today, convenience and instant gratification are prioritized. While I’m not saying to give up some of the things that make our life easier and, in turn, simpler, I think the old way of doing things invites presence and reflection. A simple picnic is just a simple picnic. It is what it is…a humble loaf of bread you make is just that. Beans you harvested from your garden in August are just that. There isn’t drama, stories, or things attached to it. It’s wholesome and honest, which is why those things feel so good in our spirit.

What’s one thing you think we could learn from the way our ancestors lived, which would help us face the changing world of today?

I think living by seasons and alongside nature is the greatest lesson to take away from our ancestors. For thousands of years, we lived by the phases of the moon, the tides, the changing of the leaves, the harvest, and the first bees on the blooms. Many, if not most, of modern Western society is disconnected from the natural rhythms and flow of nature. We now look down to our phones to Google or AI for answers…it’s time to look up again, to the stars, to the sky as our ancestors did for millennia. This is partly why I love living in Hawaii, because the culture celebrates living in harmony with Nature, even in its most raw, pure form. By seeing ourselves in Nature, by realizing the same life force that makes flowers bloom rushes in our veins, and by knowing we are a part of Nature, we can begin to heal that disconnect.

Footprints trailing across a quiet Hawaiian beach, symbolising reflection and connection in Alanna O’Neil’s visual storytelling.

How do you see your slower and simpler life evolving in the future?

I needed to isolate and find solace in nature to come back to myself for a variety of personal reasons. I feel like I’m at the point where I can now open back up again to invite new connections, new people into my life. I live in a quiet cottage in the countryside in Maui, which has been a beautiful and gentle place to heal and nourish my spirit, but now I feel like it’s ready to bloom into another chapter…still simple but maybe not as quiet or disconnected from life outside.

If you could choose one word, phrase or quote which sums up your approach to life, what would it be?

‘Rewilding yourself is about reclaiming your inherent wildness and the freedom to be fully alive.’
~ Mark Anderson

You can find out more about Alanna and her approach to life over on her Substack publication. You can also follow her on Instagram, and she has a beautiful website, including an opportunity to sign up to the waitlist for her holistic photography program.

Inspired by Alanna’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.

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Slow Spotlight: Alanna O’Neil on Visual Storytelling, Nature, and Finding Balance