A woman walking on a leaf-covered trail in an autumn forest, wearing a beige jacket, plaid skirt, patterned tights, and knee-high boots.

Hi! I’m Janine
— writer, slow living advocate, and curious soul

I write about slow living and mindfulness as an antidote to the rush, the noise, and the constant call to do more. My reflections and creations all have one thing in common - reminders to pause. So you can breathe, notice, and remember what truly matters. My mission isn’t do do more. It’s to do less. I want the world to choose peace over pressure, presence over performance, and to find beauty in the in-between moments.

Slow isn’t passive. It’s powerful. And it’s how I live, work, and create.

Me in a nutshell

  • Age: 31 (June 30, 1994)

  • Nationality: Dutch

  • Degree: Korean Studies

  • Languages: Dutch, English, Korean, French

  • Hobbies: writing, reading, traveling, photography, singing

    I’m guided by curiosity and authenticity. I’m always learning, always asking questions. I believe in slow living not as an escape from life, but as a way to be fully in it. I’m light up by deep conversations, small joys and eureka moments. Still waters run deep… and sometimes they sing

My slow awakening

There wasn’t one grand epiphany that led me to create Slow & Steady. No burnout. No drastic life change. Just a deep sense that I wasn’t living a life that truly felt like me. Slow & Steady started as my personal creative outlet. I started writing as a way for me to make sense of the fast-paced world and feel a little less out of place. Around my 30th birthday, something clicked. I realized I had spent most of my three decades trying to catch up. To what, exactly?

For many, turning 30 is a milestone — a time to have it all “figured out.” The house. The five-year plan. The big life goals. I have none of those. And strangely enough, it felt really good. I’m happy with my apartment in the woods, I have time and space to honor my curiosities instead of a rigid societal timeline, and I live for the small joys.

Now I’m reclaiming my place. I’ve made peace with the fact that the fast-paced life isn’t for me. But what strikes me is how much the fast-paced life is costing all of us. The world bombards you with messages to do more, be more, earn more. But on a hedonic treadmill, you never stop running. It’s exhausting - and it shows. Burnout rates are at an all-time high. It’s not a coincidence that autoimmune diseases have increased along with stress. How is it possible that we’re living in a time where it’s easier than ever to connect with people, yet reports of loneliness are skyrocketing?

So I’m not buying the ‘‘grind’’ narrative anymore. We need to unwind. Stop listening to the ‘‘mundane Mondays and TGIF’’ narratives. You don’t have to wait for Friday. Or for the holidays.

Life is now.

People don’t need to change who they are.
They need to become who they are.

— Gabor Maté


How I can help you

Through Slow & Steady, I create resources, spaces and inspiration for living with more rhythm, presence and self-agency. Every offering is designed to help you slow down, tune in, and walk your own path.

  • Inspiration & Reflection

    Soulful words, slow essays, and aphorisms you can return to like old friends. From The Slow Revolution to my Slow Letters, these pieces are crafted to help you tune out the world and tune into yourself.

  • Tools for your journey

    Practical, beautiful resources to anchor your slow living practice — from postcards to tote bags and seasonal kits. Each piece is made to be used, not just owned.

  • Guidance for your soul path

    Discover your unique rhythm with the Soul Paths Quiz and explore courses, eBooks, and rituals tailored to your archetype. Whether you’re a Slow Soul, Seasonal Soul, Sovereign Soul, or Sage Soul — you’ll find guidance that feels like home.

  • Partnerships with purpose