Snailosophy - To live at your own pace and curiosity. Like a snail.
- Krimmu
- May 13, 2024
- 7 min read
Updated: Aug 15, 2024
"Oh my God she's made a whole belief system around snails." OH HELL YEAH I DID.
Thanks to ChatGPT, we made Snailosophy sound like a legit concept. And yes, I said WE - that AI is practically my writer's assistant so if you guys wanna chew my butt about AI go ahead idc. Come at me bro. So before I start listing off a bunch of quotes I'll give a little schpeel :D If you haven't noticed, my brand is inspired by snails. And I happen to have a couple of tiny pet snails who live in a repurposed pretzel bucket filled with dirt, rocks, and sticks.
(MTV Cribs much?)
Every day (or almost every day tbh) I take them out and place them on a plastic lid to feed them some lettuce bits and watch them play on a pretty succulent plant beside my desk while I build my plot on Palia, jigsaw puzzles or work on projects. Cozy af 😌 <3 <3
Tika Catches a Ride ;D
It's just really entertaining to watch these little creatures, doing things soooo slowly. What they decide to do is entirely up to them. Eat more tasty greens. Run laps on the rim. Slo-mo parkour on the succulent. Catch a ride on another snail. Escape and explore my desk.
Sometimes I even let them crawl on my hand, feeling little nibbles from their tiny 10000 teefs. Then when they go to sleep I put them back in their pretzel house.
Magic Trio Chillin' on the Succ <3
So my point is buddies: these slow little critters vibe. And I feel like a slow little critter, just vibing. (Besides, aren't we all slow little critters in God's eye? Or to Galactus? Whoever you wanna imagine lol)
I work at my own pace.
Lately, I feel like I've been working slowly tackling one of the many creative projects I have in my mental syllabus, and not finishing them until weeks or even months later. I don't want to force ideas as it can drive me crazy (and I happen to get some of my best ideas when I'm not actively seeking for them) Sometimes I work super fast when I get in the groove or have a set-in-stone step-by-step routine. For example, at our writer's group I get a little intimidated by the rapid fire typing (CLICKITY CLACKY CLACK.) Although I type fast I can't "write" that fast (unless I'm doing one of my high-journal sessions and I am literally typing what's echoing in my head).
But when I'm TRYING to come up with plots and dialogues... I lag. I pause. I think. And it hurts. 😩 Eventually some good stuff stuff will be on the page but the thoughts are like running around a track trying to keep up
Sometimes I get overwhelmed not only with the multiple projects but also with... myself.
Anxiety and ADHD love to pay random visits like annoying friends in those sit-coms we like to watch (That 70s Show anyone???) I become mentally sidetracked. I'm here. I'm there. I'm everywhere. All at once. So I take breaks to attend to them. The snail-brain hits hard (more on that in another post.)
So what to do to rid of those a-holes? The laziness? It takes a while but I go out. Caleb and I like to take walks. Sometimes we skate downtown. Find a nice hammock spot. to chill and read. Touch grass yo. And I need it.
I started to take more solo trips to the coffee shop on my days off - and it does make me happy when I take my time picking out a cute outfit, making me look forward to go cause im all dolled up. On top of that, I get productive, wether it's reading a book or working on my art. And I love my little pretty town <3 I am also getting in touch with my witchy side 🧙
In our beautiful corner altar of our living room I activate my crystals by holding them and writing my intentions in a journal. I cleanse them, clean them, carry them. Yeah. I got pretty rocks on me all the time. I love rocks.
Lastly, I'm 5"3. They call me Smol Bean back in the hood.
So yeah, after all of this reflecting, Snailosophy was born: Snailosophy: a concept that revolves around the philosophy of living life at a slower, more deliberate pace, much like the movements of a snail. It encourages embracing a mindful, patient and reflective approach to life's journey, allowing individuals to savor each moment and find beauty in simplicity.
Key Aspects of Snailosophy:
Slow and Steady Progress: Embracing the idea that gradual, steady progress can lead to meaningful growth and success. It promotes patience and perseverance in achieving goals.
Mindfulness and Presence: Encouraging individuals to stay present in the moment and appreciate the journey rather than rushing to the destination.
Self-Care and Rest: Prioritizing rest and self-care to maintain balance and well-being. Snailosophy emphasizes the importance of listening to one's body and taking breaks when needed.
Appreciation for Small Wonders: Finding joy and inspiration in the small details of life, such as the beauty of nature, art, and everyday moments. (And watching snails.)
Resilience and Adaptability: Learning to navigate life's challenges with grace and resilience, much like how a snail retreats into its shell for protection when faced with danger.
Cultivating Gratitude: Practicing gratitude for the simple pleasures and blessings in life, which can lead to a more positive and fulfilling outlook.
Avoiding Burnout: Recognizing the risks of rushing through life and working too hard, and instead choosing a pace that allows for sustainable growth and enjoyment.
Appreciate Nature: Finding balance and peace by connecting with the natural world and its calming rhythms.
Inspiring Quotes <3 :
(Imagine a guru snail chilling on a psychedelic mushroom telling you these words of wisdom)
(Or this space snail AI generated when it didn't understand my prompts)
"Life is not a race. Slow down, breathe, and enjoy the journey,
"In a world that's always rushing, be a snail: steady, patient, and always moving forward."
"The snail teaches us that progress doesn't have to be fast to be meaningful.
"Sometimes the best way forward is to take it slow."
"Like the snail, we carry our home within us. Find peace in your own shell and journey through life with grace."
"Life's challenges may slow us down, but they also give us the opportunity to grow, just like a snail emerging from its shell."
"The snail teaches us that progress is not about how fast you move, but about how far you've come."
"Embrace the beauty of being small in a big world."
"Thrive by embracing our smallness and finding awe in the world's splendor."
"The snail's slow path teaches us to savor the beauty around us, no matter how big the world may seem."
"Even the smallest creatures can navigate the largest landscapes with patience and grace."
"Find your own pace and let the world move around you."
"The snail's path is a gentle reminder to trust your own journey."
"In life's twists and turns, move with grace and calm."
"Celebrate progress, no matter how small."
"In the art of moving slowly, find clarity and peace."
"In the simplicity of the snail's path, find your own way forward."
"Take time to reflect, just as the snail takes time to travel."
"Journey mindfully, leaving a trail of grace in your wake."
"The magic of moving slowly: you notice the wonders others rush past."
"Snail your way through life—take care of yourself and soak in the journey while others work themselves to death!"
(Desktop and Phone wallpapers of these inspiring quotes coming soon!)
And some fun facts I found on the internets:
“The Snail’s Palace”: Japanese folklore features a story where a snail is said to live in a beautiful palace within its shell. This story conveys the idea that even in a small and humble existence, one can find beauty and richness.
“The Lucky Snail”: In German folklore, snails are sometimes considered symbols of good luck. Finding a snail in your garden is seen as an omen of fortune and happiness.
Aaand an inspiring video ft. my tiniest snail Tika
If Tika can do it, so can you.
__________________________________________________________________________________ So yeah man, that's my made-up Philosophy. Pretty fking zen right? Some of my friends already love this idea and I hope I get more people to join the cult- I mean practice 👀...
I felt like for a long time I've been practicing this. I've always valued self-care and do what I need to do. As I grew older I built new appreciations for nature. Now I have beautiful flowers that are straight out of a fantasy book on my patio and I take care of them, along with my snails.
On top of that, I got to know myself way more than I did before. My anxiety. My ADHD. My curiosity. My art. Who am I. I love dressing up - I like to dress like boyish some days, and like a fairy princess other days. I find people beautiful. I love going to libraries. To skateparks. To clubs. To raves. I love to get my friends together, smoke pot and be stupid and laugh.
I've also always been drawn to spirals. The way they move and known for hypnotism but also confusion. After reading a sigil book to design this sigil (Sigil Craft by Lia Taylor) I was challanged to research my culture and what type of sigils they use. I'm Puetro Rican. And behold: Taino symbols.
We are not living our life according to some guy with a quill pen and a cool beard we are following slow tiny aliens with swirly shells... written by some chick with a laptop and fake elf ears.
But I feel like this wouldn't have happened if I have encountered a snail on the sidewalk back in 2018 - B.B.
I love my little snails. My little self. My little apartment in my little town. I love my pretty little crystals. My plushies. And I love my progress with my art no matter how slow and scattered it is. I cherish my spiraling thoughts which make their way onto paper so they won't feel neglected and ignored. I am grateful for my shell protecting me from unwanted energies, presences, and opportunities that might seem dangerous or unfit for me.
I am grateful for the growth I have made these past couple of years and I am excited to continue whichever pace I am most comfortable with to achieve the goals I dream about. I hope you all have a wonderful day <3 thank you for reading another one of my blogs. Take care of yourselves. Attend to your thoughts. Touch some grass. And good luck with whatever you are currently working on - you are doing great no matter what pace you are on.
Trail on homies 🐌
-Krim
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