Life has a way of speeding up when we least expect it. Between my full-time job in Prague, raising my young daughter, and the endless stream of responsibilities that fill each day, I’ve felt like I was losing touch with what really mattered. The pressure to keep up left me exhausted and disconnected, teetering on the edge of burnout. That’s when my family and I decided to make a change and start on our journey to slow living.
This spring, we bought an old house an hour outside of Prague. It’s not just any house—it’s a project. With only the roof and walls solid enough to stay, it needs a complete renovation. But for us, it represents something more than work. It’s a chance to step away from the busyness of daily life and embrace slow living, at least on the weekends. The 700-square-meter garden, nestled in hardiness zone 6a, is full of untapped potential, waiting for us to transform it into a peaceful retreat.
The idea is simple. We wanted a space where we could disconnect from the rush of the week and reconnect with each other. The house is becoming our free-time activity, something to work on together as a family. The garden gives us a way to get our hands dirty, grow food, and enjoy nature. It’s not about perfection—it’s about creating a haven where we can breathe, reflect, and simply be.
Balancing this dream with our busy lives is a challenge. I work full time in Prague, and with a small daughter to care for, free time often feels like a luxury. Some days, it feels overwhelming, and I wonder how we’ll manage it all. But every weekend, when we arrive at the house, it’s like stepping into a different world. Time slows down. The tasks ahead—turning the soil, clearing a room, or simply sitting in the garden—bring a sense of calm that I’ve been craving.
On my new journey to slow living, I’m learning, that it isn’t about escaping responsibilities or creating a picture-perfect life. It’s about finding moments of peace and joy amid the chaos, and creating spaces where those moments can flourish. For us, the house and garden represent that possibility—a slower, more meaningful rhythm to our lives, even if only on weekends.
This blog is a reflection of our journey. It’s a space to share the highs and lows of renovating a home, planting a garden, and finding balance in the everyday. If you’ve ever felt the pull to slow down or reconnect with what truly matters, I hope you’ll find inspiration here. Together, let’s embrace the beauty of slowing down.
If you want to read about my central european heritage, I invite you to read the About me page: https://slowlivingincentraleurope.com/?page_id=2
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