Simplistic Living in Motherhood's Embrace

13th November 2019 | Embracing Authenticity

Beth Henson is a minimalist mother and the visionary behind Someday Slower, a platform sharing the lessons she and her family have learned from adopting a slower, simpler lifestyle. Her work encompasses the challenges and rewards of a streamlined home and life, and her Instagram offers a captivating glimpse into their journey.

In this interview, we explore Henson's exploration into minimalism, her decision to home-school her children, and how she has integrated them into her journey.

Hello Beth! Let's start with a bit about yourself.

I'm Beth, a 30-something mother of two, residing in Dorset by the sea. I cultivate a love for reading, writing, hiking, and movies that stir the heart. I cherish my sensitivity, once perceived as a flaw, as a gift that defines me. You'll often find me along the shoreline, basking in the breeze, or nestled with a comforting mug of tea.

What inspired you to simplify your life?

Four years ago, I was drowning in possessions, both tangible and emotional. My marriage was in shambles, I grappled with chronic illness, and depression threatened to entrap me with no escape. This was not the life I had envisioned for myself and my children. A Netflix documentary, "Minimalism: A Documentary About The Important Things," introduced me to minimalism, and it forever changed me. The lightness exuded by these minimalists left an indelible mark on me, and I yearned for that more than anything.

Did minimalism and intentional living intertwine from the start, or was physical minimalism the starting point?

In a sense, aspects of slow living emerged before minimalism. My older son, who is autistic, found a fast-paced world challenging, so we inadvertently slowed down. Although I was not as deliberate in my intentions then, my journey towards minimalism was the catalyst for my pursuit of essentialism and honoring how we utilized our time.

How did your children react to the process?

Gradually, as I introduced minimalism to them, they were receptive. I decluttered the house with them by my side and fostered a sense of gratitude by explaining how fortunate we were. In time, they took up the mantle, decluttering their own possessions and embracing less as a way of life. We now share a balance between minimizing and the inevitable chaos that comes with a family home.

You home-school your children — how did you come to that decision?

The decision to home-school was born from my son's inability to conform to societal expectations. I did not want to mold a round peg into a square hole, nor did I wish for him to lose his unique identity. For me, home education offered a viable alternative, and it has proved to be a transformative experience. It enabled us to gift our children a simpler childhood, the pace of which could adapt to their needs.

What do you hope this simpler, more intentional life will provide for your children?

My primary goal as a parent is to nurture my children's authenticity. I believe that the hours of unstructured play, time in nature, and cultivating relationships will instill strong emotional foundations for them to carry into adulthood. I aspire for my children to learn self-worth and value one another above all else.

I also encourage their creative pursuits, embrace boredom, and aspire for them to appreciate the natural world. Ultimately, I desire for them to recognize life as more than a race to be won; it is a gift to be cherished.

Why did you create Someday Slower?

I launched Someday Slower out of an innate need to share the wisdom I had gained through my journey towards minimalism and slow living. I write for those who are where I once was, offering insights I wish I had encountered earlier, and sharing my passion for a simpler existence.

What does slow living signify to you?

Slow living means embodying my core values each day. It encompasses savoring the small, everyday moments, and saying no to what I don't desire, so I can affirm what resonates with me. A slow life is a solitary path, different from most, but it's a journey I am proud to embark on. Ultimately, slow living grants me the opportunity to stop and take in the beauty of life's simpler pleasures.

Beth Henson, a 30-something mother of two, founded Someday Slower, a platform that shares the lessons she and her family learned from adopting a slower, simpler lifestyle, which encompasses their home, life, and even their educational choices.
Through her work, Henson explores topics such as minimalism, intentional living, health-and-wellness, family-dynamics, home-and-garden, relationships, education-and-self-development, and personal-growth, offering a captivating glimpse into her journey.
Henson's children have been integral to her journey towards minimalism, reacting positively to the process as she decluttered their home, fostered gratitude, and integrated them into her lifestyle changes.
Home-schooling her children was a deliberate choice made by Henson, as she sought to cater to her son's unique needs and put an emphasis on providing a simpler, authentic education for her children.
This simpler, more intentional life is designed to provide Henson's children with strong emotional foundations, instilling values such as self-worth, empathy, and a love for creativity and nature.
Driven by her passion for minimalism and slow living, Henson created Someday Slower as a platform to share her insights and wisdom with others who are also seeking to simplify their lives and find authenticity in their daily routines.