Slow Spotlight: Emma Connolly of A Bunch of Wild
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.
A huge thank you to Emma Connolly for sharing more about her own journey towards a slower and simpler life below.
I’m an artist, gardener and floral stylist. I live in a small Bedfordshire village with my family. I create atmospheric paintings, floral-inspired ceramics and put together seasonal arrangements from the garden. I also teach from my garden, encouraging others to slow down and connect with nature. My work is influenced by the seasons and landscape. I spend a lot of time in Suffolk for the quality of the light, and exhibit my work at small fairs and shops.
What does living slowly, simply and seasonally mean to you?
Time spent engaged in the now, noticing the quality of light and the seasons. Living in a village by fields and towns, it’s very easy to appreciate the little things; just stepping outside and noticing how the air smells that morning, how the hedgerows are growing, and what the farmers are growing. The seasons each have their joys and it’s learning what lights you up in each. I used to hate winter and would pray to rush through it, always in a hurry for spring, but then I started to notice little things at first that I liked about it.
The dramatic skeletons of trees in their dormant state looked so beautiful; I found I was drawn to these textures in nature and was mesmerised by how beautiful winter starkness could be. Reading and coffee shops, light-filled windows of shops and people going about their day, cooking crumbles from fruit picked and frozen in autumn. Eating what the season has produced makes me feel more connected to our home. I think that with age, comes a certain wisdom of letting go. I try and pass on my love and appreciation to my daughters. But in a nutshell it’s simply noticing what’s around me and what I need right now.
When did you first become aware that you craved a slower and simpler approach to life?
It was very sudden. I remember the exact day: it was autumn and I was walking my dog over the fields. I was in pain from an RSI caused from working as a hairdresser for 20 years. I owned a busy salon, taught hairdressing, and it was all coming to an end as the doctors told me I had to give up. I was in despair that a career I’d nurtured and thought I’d have for life was abruptly ending. I knew I had to get out of the feeling of darkness before it consumed me and I was struggling to see a way.
For as long as I could remember I’d lived a fast life, ticking off box after box. I was worried about income and how financially things would change. But on that walk, I noticed the hedgerows and the trees, I walked and picked grasses, seed heads and blackberries. It was the first time I’d slowed down and connected to the earth since I was a child. I felt calmer and my mind stopped racing. Each day I’d go for a walk and notice the changes around me. I’d gather things like lichen-covered twigs and old fallen branches to take home and arrange in my house; bringing nature indoors became very important to me. I realised I’d not taken any time for myself since I was a teenager, and knew that for the sake of my children (now young adults), I needed to be more present.
Who has inspired you on your journey to living a slower, simpler and more seasonal life?
My grandparents were a huge part of my life and looked after me a lot of the time. My grandfather was an artist, master carpenter and French polisher who worked at the bottom of the garden. I’d spend time in his workshop playing in the wood shavings and watching him turn a spindle on a lathe. It was slow, honest work, and I felt a deep appreciation for skills that could make something, just like my grandfather making furniture from wood.
Lunch would come and my nan would be in her pinny making sandwiches, and bringing out a cake that she had made that morning. My uncle was a horologist who also worked in the garden, and as customers came and went, my nan would always provide tea and cake. She’d take me to the pick-your-own fruit farms and we’d pick till our fingers were stained with deep red juice. We’d then prepare the fruit and freeze it. It’s the resourcefulness that I remember. Her making me jumpers and unpicking clothes for fabric or wool. She made everything beautiful! They lived frugally and looking back, it taught me the value of what really matters - it was time and traditions, not money or things.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to others looking to embrace a slower, simpler and more seasonal approach to life?
Make a list of everything you enjoy no matter how small, and make a point of doing at least one of those things every day, more if you can. Putting phones away really helps. I know it’s hard to do, but just moving them into another room so you’re not wanting to reach for them. My biggest advice to anyone wanting a slower life is to connect with nature whenever you can. If you live in a town or flat, then treating yourself to a plant or two - something green to nurture gives us purpose and joy. If you can walk outside, even if it’s a town, notice the air, sights and sounds. Notice how your mood feels with the changing seasons and notice the little things that make you smile: make a note of them. Gratitude journals can sometimes be hard when we’re feeling low, but a little book of things that have brought you joy, no matter how tiny, can be really helpful, especially if you need to feel inspired and uplifted.
How do you embrace slow, simple and seasonal living within your business and/or work?
My work as an artist and floral grower/stylist depends on the seasons. I fell into this career from the walks I talked about at the beginning. I engage heavily with textures and forms in nature and I try really hard to inspire others through creating something beautiful. I believe putting beauty into the world is really important. If it can uplift someone or encourage them to have a more creative life and get outside, then I feel my time is well spent.
I have learned that working with nature simply cannot be rushed. It forces you to slow down and I love that. Nature will always do as it pleases, and I enjoy the challenges of working with it. It engages my mind and brings me to the moment; it’s a very relaxing way to work. As for running a business that relies on online sales (as well as in-person), I’ve learned to find slower ways with technology and my customers; writing a newsletter brings me closer to my customers in a slow and considered way. I love to share my photography this way too. I respect the deep connections I can make this way, and it’s not throw-away like a fast TikTok.
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?
The mending, up-cycling, and preserving are all things we can do today to help save our planet. Being more conscious of what we buy and the longevity of items: do we really need them?
How do you see your slower and simpler life evolving in the future?
I mean to carry on as I am, and I’m always looking to make living as creative as possible. I love building new connections with people, people are interesting and enrich life. I can see myself writing more and running more workshops for people to come together. I like to spend time allowing things to come in and out. This is a skill I’ve learned over the years. I let go of possessions a long time ago. I live as cheaply as possible; it eliminates a lot of stress, and I don’t buy things I don't need. Letting go of material possessions is, I believe, one of the key things to living a slower, simpler life.
If you could choose one word, phrase or quote which sums up your approach to life, what would it be?
Open. Be open to opportunities, but trust your gut response.
