As a UX Design Manager with over a decade of experience in agencies and the corporate world, I know firsthand the relentless demands. Deadlines, back-to-back meetings, and the constant pressure to excel often leave you feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, and on the brink of burnout.
Yet, amidst the chaos, I craved something more—a way to slow down and truly enjoy life without compromising my career aspirations. That longing led me to explore the principles of slow living, and eventually, to create Arum.Care—a brand that brings the principles of holistic wellness to the forefront, offering tools like Hooyo Soothing Body Oil and Qasil Face Powder to support your well-being in the midst of life's demands.
Self-awareness as the world slowed down
In 2020, the world slowed down due to a global pandemic, forcing me to take a break from the distractions and look inward. This pause gave me the space for introspection, and that's when I connected the dots between my own experience with monthly symptoms – depression, anxiety, and stress – and realized these patterns had a name: Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD).
Frustrated with the limitations of traditional solutions like birth control pills, I began exploring natural remedies that went beyond just managing my symptoms.
The Benefits of Slow Living in a Corporate Setting
This exploration, combined with my background in design and inspiration from my Somali heritage, led me to create Arum.Care. Hooyo Soothing Body Oil, our signature product, began as a personal remedy to manage the physical and emotional challenges of PMDD. But as I delved deeper into slow living principles, I saw its potential to become a tool for anyone seeking to navigate the physical and emotional challenges of modern life, not just those related to PMDD.
Incorporating slow living into my busy schedule was transformative. It allowed me to:
- Improve Focus and Productivity: By intentionally structuring my day, I found myself accomplishing more with less effort. Research shows that taking mindful breaks improves cognitive performance and decision-making, which directly benefited my work.
- Enhance Creativity: Slowing down gave me the mental space to think more creatively and approach challenges with fresh perspectives—a vital skill in the design world.
- Support Mental Health: Adopting a slower pace reduced my stress levels and gave me tools to manage the inevitable pressures of corporate life.
Practical Tips to Integrate Slow Living into Corporate Culture
If you're navigating a similar journey, here are some actionable steps that helped me balance slow living with my demanding career:
- Set Clear Boundaries: Define your work hours and stick to them. Turning off notifications after work can help you recharge and maintain a healthy work-life dynamic.
- Prioritize Mindful Breaks: Even a few minutes of mindfulness during the day can make a difference. I use Hooyo Soothing Body Oil as part of a quick grounding ritual—it’s my way of pausing, breathing, and reconnecting.
- Simplify Task Management: Break down your to-do list into manageable chunks. Focus on what truly matters and let go of the need to do it all.
Redefining Success
For me, success is no longer defined by how much I achieve but by how aligned I feel with my values and well-being. Balancing slow living with corporate culture isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. Start small. Maybe it's a mindful moment with Hooyo in the morning or setting a boundary that protects your personal time. Each step counts.
At Arum.Care, we’re here to support you on this journey. Slow living is possible, even in the fast-paced corporate world, and it starts with you. Let’s navigate this path together, one intentional moment at a time. You can find our wellness products, including Hooyo Soothing Body Oil and Qasil Face Powder, on our website: www.arum.care.
