As I entered my 40th year, a new perspective was birthed. I found my work/life balance was very unbalanced, and the world – quite simply – moved too fast for me. Everybody wanted everything yesterday, and I just wanted to … switch off.

During the past few years, I began to explore lifestyle vlogs that leaned towards slow-living – usually emphasising self-care, home-care, and cafe-hopping. My favourites were set in South Korea and Japan as I enjoyed the more peaceful vibes they provided with the calming soundtrack and subtitled narrative. I felt they were more the lifestyles I aspire to experience. However, it is not my objective to create similar vlog-like content. Though I enjoy consuming video content, they simply give you an illusion of slow-living. I cannot imagine that filming, editing, changing camera angles, walking back and forth to film different shots results in slow-living.

So, what is slow-living and what will I be doing?

For me, it’s about slowing down and finding balance. It’s not about doing nothing, but it’s about doing what you want to do at the pace which works for you. It is also subjective, as is everyone’s wellbeing journey. I have many creative interests including journaling and photography, and therefore creating a website to share my journey seems perfect, and removes, for me, the illusion and is part of the slowing down.

BE is the initiative behind the journey:

• BE well
• BE strong
• BE creative
• BE inspired
• BE you

Though this website is more for me to record my journey, it may inspire some of you to try the same. For those with similar interests, I hope you find some new things to try. Remember, each journey is different, and this is mine. Please find me on social media and share your own journey, especially if you try any of the recipes or media I share. Though intended for a self-record, it would be amazing to create a safe space for people to encourage and support each other.

Therefore, this will be a safe space for all. No hate or discrimination will be tolerated.