History of the slow movement

Slow living is part of the wider slow movement which began in the 1980s in Italy. Faced with the opening of a McDonald’s in the heart of Rome, Carlo Petrini and a group of activists formed Slow Food, a movement that defends regional food traditions. The slow food movement now has supporters in over 150 countries and continues to protect gastronomic traditions, promote fair pay for producers, encourage enjoyment of good quality food and engage in activities around sustainability.

Slow Food has sparked a broader slow living movement that encompasses our entire way of life, although there are other prominent strands. One of these is slow travel which encourages making a greater connection with the destinations visited when travelling. As we discover that faster isn’t always better, other areas of our lifestyles are adopting the word ‘slow’. Slow fashion, slow fitness, slow gardening, slow interiors and slow design are further examples which adopt slow living principles and sustainability considerations.