Commencing Education in Your Late Forties
Feature: Embracing the Slow Living Philosophy
August 27, 2019
Vanessa Simpson, a writer, photographer, and proprietor of Oak Tree Barn, shares her journey towards a slower, more intentional life. Originally a family home in Somerset, now retrofitted from dilapidation, Oak Tree Barn serves as a venue for events and workshops that champion slow living.
As her daughters grew older, Vanessa decided to pursue photography full-time, furthering her education at Cardiff University. In this interview, she discusses her path, her opinions on slow living, and how it has shaped her personal and professional life. This feature includes excerpts from an article by Fiona Barrows and Vanessa Simpson, complemented by images captured by Vanessa herself.
Getting to Know Vanessa
As she reaches the end of her forties, Vanessa describes herself as a mother, wife, sister, and daughter, with a host of other endeavors as well. After spending two decades focused on raising her children and accommodating her husband's career, she established Oak Tree Barn for creative workshops and retreats. The venture started serendipitously, but has since evolved organically.
The Evolution of Slow Living Business
Inspired by her enjoyment of creative workshops abroad, Vanessa recognized the potential to offer them at home. She began with simple workshops like lino printing and eventually expanded to courses in personal development, day retreats, and even small business planning. By allowing the process to grow naturally, Vanessa acquired connections and opportunities that led her to where she is today.
In her view, this approach reflects slow living, a philosophy that eschews aggressive growth and prioritizes enjoyment in the process. Vanessa belies that, with no pre-set goals, she's been fortunate to avoid financial pressures and embrace a lifestyle centered on experiences rather than possessions.
A Life in Slow Motion
Nowadays, Vanessa's craft revolves around providing attendees with an enjoyable, warm, and camaraderie-filled experience, regardless of the workshop's specific focus. However, she developed an unexpected fondness for the marketing aspect—writing and photography.
This interest led her to pursue a degree in photography at Cardiff University, despite not having attended college herself previously. By setting realistic intentions and giving herself the time to think and explore, she managed to secure a spot on the program.
The Challenges and Rewards of University Life
absorbed by the fear of being an older student, Vanessa applied, created a portfolio, and landed an interview. Recognizing the opportunity to learn in a supportive environment and tackle her past academic struggles, she is now heading to university in the autumn with a mix of excitement and trepidation.
Despite concerns about fitting study into her existing schedule, Vanessa aims to embrace the experience and trust in her ability to adapt during this new chapter in her life.
Slow Living: Finding Balance and Enjoying the Slow Moments
As she reflects on slow living, Vanessa discusses its various interpretations—from a movement to an ethos to a hashtag—but ultimately states it is about appreciating nature's rhythms and giving oneself the time to slow down and savor life’s moments.
Her favorite slow moments include gardening, reading in the summer outdoors, or simply taking time to appreciate the beauty around her. By living intentionally and making mindful choices, Vanessa continues to advocate for a slower pace of life that enhances well-being and promotes sustainability.
Vanessa's Kitchen Tip
In addition to discussing her philosophy, Vanessa shares a recipe for roasted vegetables that she believes exemplifies slow living. The simplicity, flexibility, and versatility of this dish encourage relaxation while cooking and ample opportunities for enjoying leisurely moments afterwards.
Sources:1. Jackson, D. (n.d.). The Slow Movement: An Introduction. In The Slow Movement.2. What is slow living? (n.d.). In The Slow Movement, Slow Living.3. Bourne, K. (2010, March 22). Slow living benefits for business. Fast Company. Retrieved from https://www.fastcompany.com/1624062/slow-living-benefits-for-business
- Embracing the principles of slow living, Vanessa Simpson uses Oak Tree Barn as a platform for events and workshops promoting mindfulness in lifestyle, including personal development, day retreats, and small business planning for the fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, and education-and-self-development sectors.
- Vanessa's slow living journey is reflected in her personal growth, as she pursued a degree in photography despite not having attended college previously, focusing on her education and taking the time to explore her interests realistically.
- Small businesses, like Vanessa's Oak Tree Barn, embody the slow living philosophy by avoiding aggressive growth and prioritizing enjoyment in their business processes, ultimately leading to a sustainable lifestyle centered on experience rather than possession.
- Through her workshops and retreats, Vanessa encourages relationships with others, fostering camaraderie and personal connections that contribute to her intentional and fulfilling life.
- Practicing slow living with mindfulness, Vanessa Simpson finds enjoyment in simple pleasures like gardening, reading, and appreciating the beauty of nature, embracing a lifestyle that promotes mental well-being and a deeper connection with her surroundings.
