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 creative guide, website designer and artist Rhiannon Adler shares how living in harmony with nature's rhythms has transformed both her life and work. From embracing seasonal living and simplifying her possessions to following her own energy and trusting a gentler pace, she offers an inspiring reminder that a slower life begins by listening to ourselves.

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

It means living day to day at the pace my mind, body and spirit ask of me, and existing in tune with nature’s rhythms as much as I can. This makes me feel connected to something deep and meaningful, and much more conscious of my existence on the earth and the impact I might be having on it.

This often shows up in lots of small ways in my life. For example, I stopped using a routine alarm clock a few years ago and instead started to let myself wake up naturally in the mornings. Over time this developed into rising and retiring with the sun (as much as is possible), which means that in the winter, I allow myself to follow my desire to go to bed earlier and sleep more, and in summer I climb into bed later in the evening as the sun goes down, often rising earlier too. Putting my body in closer harmony with nature’s seasons and cycles just makes me feel better in myself and makes me so much more aware of the changes that are happening through the year – both inside me and outside.

I also love to cook from seasonally foraged food, as my mother was a mean maker of pickles and preserves and she taught me the art from a young age. You can’t beat a homemade cordial, jam or chutney in my eyes, and there’s a particularly sweet satisfaction that comes from sharing a pudding with friends or family that you’ve made from fruit gathered from outside. Slowing down means savouring these kinds of moments that truly matter in life.

Living simply for me is also about moving away from materialism and finding enjoyment in owning less. I’ve been living nomadically for the past eight months with only my car to carry my belongings around, and it’s shown me how little ‘stuff’ I really need. Apart from my clothes and the essentials, I only really need my laptop, a book or two, my art materials, a craft project and a puzzle to keep me happy. The only things I miss are my yarn supply, baking equipment, jigsaw puzzles and my book collection. I think living with less has made me appreciate (and actually use) what I do have more.

Rhiannon Adler holding an enamel mug while enjoying a quiet moment outdoors.

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

I feel more alive! It grounds me and puts me in deeper connection with nature and the greater universe that I am a part of, and that brings me a sense of peace and fulfilment. So much of the modern world is created around making us feel like we are not enough, and that we should be doing more, working more, trying harder and fighting to earn our worth as a human, but our worth comes from simply being alive. Living more slowly, simply and seasonally reminds me that I am good enough, and that whatever I accomplish each day is enough. I think this makes me a kinder and more compassionate person, and more able and capable of contributing to the world.

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

Some things can take more effort, and as I live with chronic health conditions, I don’t always have the energy to do the things I want to. I’d love to bake more than I do at the moment for example, and make more handmade things from scratch, but I don’t often have the capacity alongside trying to work, cook, clean and do the daily chores.

A sketchbook, rucksack and mug of hot tea on a blanket outdoors, representing slow, simple and seasonal living.

It also seems like I am in the minority of people who live this way, and this can feel disheartening when we’re being faced with such extreme consumerism and extractive practices in the world. I can feel like a very small cog in a giant wheel moving in an opposite direction. I think this is partly the narrative we are told rather than the reality though, as the more I travel about, the more I realise there are so many people trying to live simply and sustainably in one way or another.

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

Zen Buddhism and its teachings within Japanese culture have been so insightful for me. I’d recommend learning anything about those, especially exploring moss gardens and concepts such as wabi-sabi and ma. Beth Kempton’s books are a great place to start.

Mindfulness meditation has helped me to slow down and feel more rested and present. I’d particularly recommend Jon Kabat Zinn’s book Full Catastrophe Living and any relaxations by Linda Hall, which you can find on YouTube.

I also absolutely adore Claire Branigan’s EcoNidra sessions at In Tune Wellbeing. These tend to run in the winter months and help me feel so connected to the seasonal rhythms of nature.

In relation to my work, Sarah Phelps from Sarah + Maude also has some wonderful seasonal resources for running a small business – including seasonal planners and the Seasons in Business podcast. Sarah is always full of such gentle wisdom and has often provided a guiding light.

Rhiannon Adler knitting indoors as part of a slower, more mindful and creative lifestyle.

There’s also heaps of great blog posts on seasonal and cyclical living on Life, Aligned. I was a part of the community when it was running a few years ago and met some amazing people who I still connect with, so I also thoroughly recommend finding a like-minded community if you can!

And lastly, any and every resource by Jen Carrington has been immeasurably helpful in helping me create a slower and simpler business. I’m currently a part of her group programme Your Simple & Spacious Business, and it’s helping me immensely.

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

Trust in yourself, and any voice or tug inside that is telling you it’s the right thing to do for you. Embracing a slower, simpler and more seasonal approach might take you on a slightly different path to other people in your life, and they may not understand, but living in alignment to your values and your truth brings a sense of centred fulfilment that is priceless. Life is short, and the time to live the way you want to live is now.

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

As much as possible, I let myself move with the ebb and flow of my energy and any seasonal changes which affect it. In my day to day work I listen to my ‘inner seasons’ which tell me what I feel able or inspired to work on. My energy changes depending on my health, sleep, the phase of the moon, my menstrual cycle, the weather and the season, and so I check in with myself often to see what task would best suit my energy.

I find there are four main phases or seasons to my energy – spring (ideation and preparation), summer (creation), autumn (reflection and organisation) and winter (rest) – and they each come and go in their own time. When I let myself focus on the tasks that feel most in tune with my inner energy I find work more easeful and energising – and I always end up doing what needs to be done.

Rhiannon Adler sitting in a sunny grassy field holding a mug, embracing a slower, simpler and more seasonal way of living.

I also make a lot of space for rest in my working week and try to not let my calendar get too full (which thankfully is possible as I run my own business and get to make the decisions about my working days). It’s hard to shake the idea that busy = productive, but the more I embrace slowness and simplicity in my business, the more I realise that success doesn’t just come from working longer and harder. Some of the best opportunities that have come my way have been from just showing up and sharing my voice and perspective gently but consistently.

Do you think your approach to life can challenge others?

Yes, it can. I think because it goes against a societal norm that worth is generated from productivity and overwork, people can be quick to view my slower and simpler approach to life and work as laziness. I have certainly had some people treat me as if I sit around doing nothing all day, although some of this I think is also due to simply not understanding the self-employed life. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with feeling challenged by something different that you don’t understand, the problem is only really when you approach the difference with criticism rather than curiosity. I would love it if we embraced our differences more given the division that exists in the world today, and taught curiosity and compassion as a standard.

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

I would love to make my work almost completely asynchronous, so that I can spend less time in front of my computer and have more time to be outside, create, and make things with my hands. I’m trying to change this now, and I hope within another year or two it might be my reality.

Rhiannon Adler writing in a notebook, reflecting a thoughtful and creative approach to slow living.

I don’t see myself being nomadic forever either, and I hope to find a small space for myself to live someday where I can start to grow my own fruit and veggies. I’m not the most green-fingered person, and I’d like to change that so that I can live more sustainably. As a single person, I’d also love to live among a community that values a slower and simpler life and supports one another to thrive. I sense a societal shift going on at the moment towards more community and in-person connections, and I’d love to get in on that!

Rhiannon Adler runs a solo business as a creative guide and website designer supporting creatives & change-makers to bring their creative projects and dreams to life. She is also a visual artist and creative writer, and she facilitates creative wellbeing spaces through workshops and participatory arts projects.

Visit her website to discover programmes, playbooks and events to live a full creative life in alignment with the seasons and your natural rhythms. Or join her Creatively Curious newsletter for weekly-ish sparks of creativity, play and inspiration, as well as access to a library full of free resources to help you find creative flow in your everyday life and small business.

You can also connect with Rhiannon on Instagram and on Substack at Conversations with my Creativity.

Inspired by Rhiannon’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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