About

Welcome to The Slowdown.

A pause in the daily grind. A step away from the doing. A place to take a breath. A dip in the ocean. That moment when you’re completely submerged in sea water. Where there’s no room for anything, no one calling your name, demanding anything of you… that’s what The Slowdown looks like through my lens, but what about yours?

This is what we will explore here; because The Slowdown moment, hour, practice and life is so important. For all of us. It looks different for everyone, but that time – that second of pure joy – is where life can really get exciting.

The Slowdown Press is an exploration into our individual stories. No holding back. Just honest, vulnerable tales. Because none of us are exempt from life’s challenges. In the same way, all of us have the joys of the universe right at our fingertips.

Our interviews are involved and raw; sometimes difficult, sometimes tender. Our people are shot on film, because it just feels right.

So, stay as long as you like. There’s no hurry here. No pressure. No preaching. Nothing to do, but read our stories. Share our experiences. See how we all bloody survive. Take space. Take pause.

Dive right in. The water is perfect right here, right now.

Kate Pascoe Squires, Sydney
Editor, The Slowdown Press

Kate Pascoe Squires is a Melbourne girl, who ended up in Sydney some 13 years ago and has never looked back. A vibrant career in restaurant and alcohol PR lured her north, but she fast fell head over heels for the Sydney lifestyle and never looked back. Oh, she also met her husband here.

Kate has a son and a daughter, two step daughters and a step granddaughter. It was after the birth of her daughter Helena eight years ago that she started a successful homewares business with her sister in law Kate Pascoe. Kate & Kate produced a glorious array of blankets, towels, linens and cushions, designed between Melbourne and Sydney, produced in India and South Africa. During that time, they collaborated with an incredible array of creatives and brands, including Arent & Pyke, Marsha Golemac, kikki.K and norsu interiors.

Kate & Kate was put ‘on hiatus’ late in 2018 and, after years of chronic health issues, Kate is now dedicated to looking deeper into the slow down – what that means for her personally and also what it means for others. Aside from ocean dips and time in the sun, #thekpsslowdown includes the exploration of this very important subject, writing and connecting like-minded folk.

Kate has written on her slow down journey for the likes of Elle, The Grace Tales, Minty Magazine, The Broad Place and The Lifestyle Edit. She has appeared on SBS’s Insight program, talking about her ongoing health struggles, and appeared on The Grace Tales panel as part of International Women’s Day 2019.

For creative business consults, writing and speaking opportunities, please contact kate@theslowdown.press.

Follow on @katepascoesquires.

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Stay: Natalie Walton

In your first waking moment
can you hold a space for now?

Can you embrace the quiet
calm of early morning,
the fresh start that’s possible,
and the gift of a new day?

Are you awake to now
or off in some other world
that takes your light
and life force.

Stay in this moment.
It’s beautiful here.
You have everything
that you need.

The freedom
to choose
this moment
this life.

Hold that space.

Stay still.

Breathe.

– Natalie Walton, 2020.

Natalie Walton
@nataliewalton

Fin.

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