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I lived in New York City for a decade and did everything really fast. I heard a podcast once, I couldn’t find it for this, talking about the power going slow, of Turtle medicine. Going slow is an antidote to the intensity and stress that hits us all day long in the whirlpool of capitalism. I moved away last year and am trying to make an effort to slow down. A great way to consciously slow down is to focus on walking slowly. When I can successfully catch myself, my whole mentality shifts. I realize I can breathe and my shoulders drop. I create additional tension for myself when I rush. I found this popular Ted Talk on Slowness that demonstrates how going slow can transform our daily lives for the better. Stop and smell the roses.
Jan 28, 2021
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Growing up in a Russian household, you become acquainted with the ritual of evening walks after dinner. Beyond its obvious health benefits, there’s a spiritual dimension to the act itself— believe it or not, with my headphones on and my sneakers laced up I’m a biomechanical contemplation machine. A heightened awareness of the landscape and my place in it overcomes me, I might occasionally notice great and strange things. The more aimless the walk is, the better. Getting your steps in is good, but not everything in life needs to be about self-improvement. I find that the longer my walks are, the weirder and more hypnotic they become. The gratitude I feel when I finally return home is really a nice feeling too. For a walking shoe, I recommend Mephistos which feel like gliding on air. Happy trails.
Nov 22, 2023
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i used to ride my bicycle/take public transport all the time, but walking is really good actually! it slows down the wildness of modern life, shows you small things you would otherwise drive past. its all around a good idea if you have time to spare of course. great for calming down, thinking, good for relieving stress, good for meeting new people
Feb 29, 2024
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If you have a dog, walk them! If not, walk anyway! I have found my whole life that walking is the best way to feed my mind, body, and soul simultaneously… and to see and discover any new city. I travel a lot with my films, and sometimes I clock in 13 miles in a day… On any day at home, it’s a sacred time, as the sun sets and we walk our dogs. But if I can take care of phone calls, listen to podcasts, do Zooms and catch up with my partner and friends while moving my feet down the street, waving at neighbors and taking in the natural beauty that is waiting to be discovered around every corner - I will choose that any day. Wandering around a city is also our favorite way to experience any city in the world.
Jan 16, 2025
Top Recs from @alexis-schwartz
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When you’re a broke gourmande heirloom beans feel heaven sent. I’m Brazilian and whenever I’m there, I eat a ton of the green beans indigenous to our region in the North East. When I’m eating them every meal I always feel my best. Turns out beans are incredible detoxifiers. Beans bind toxins in our body to bile which pull out toxins more efficiently from the body. I think they’re an important part of balancing out my wine drinking heh and they feel like a hug.
Jan 28, 2021
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I started an herbalism apprenticeship this year with an Indigenous elder and now am surrounded by a bunch of inspiring herb people. Every one that you talk to about their “Top 5” herbs can’t resist including nettle. It’s so unassuming. It’s not crazy aromatic, or even a particularly beautiful plant at first glance. But, Nettle is an all around, super-nourishing plant for humans. It supports the respiratory system, hormone regulation, and reduces inflammation (which many of us city humans are wrought by). You can also sip it all the time without worrying you’re overdoing it. It’s very harmonious with our systems. It is easy to grow in a pot on your fire escape, too!
Jan 28, 2021
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Okay I had to. I turned my Natural Wine Events biz into a wine club, and I’m very excited about it. It’s called The Six Seasons Wine Club. You get wine from my favorite winemakers around the world and we talk about the lessons of each season. There are medicinal recipes to help you stay balanced, and I want to start doing some workshops. My events were always festive but discreetly educational. It’s been rewarding to push myself to share more of what I’ve learned over my 10 years in the wine biz and get over my imposter syndrome.
Jan 28, 2021