What Is Slow Living? How to Embrace It Even If You Have a Busy Schedule

We live in a time when the entire world seems to move at the speed of light. We can barely keep up with the changes happening all around us! So, what is slow living? It’s taking a break! Leaning into slow living calls for small steps to slow down and give ourselves the reprieve we seek.

“Sometimes what you don’t do is just as important as what you do.”

― Greg McKeown, Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less

What is slow living?

SpiritVibez states,” A slow lifestyle is an approach that values a slower pace of life and emphasizes mindfulness, simplicity, and meaningful connections. It’s about prioritizing well-being and taking the time to enjoy life’s simple pleasures rather than being constantly caught up in the demands of a busy life.”

It seems like a radical concept! Let’s take a look at how slowing down can benefit us now.

Reasons to lean into slow living in your daily life:

Slowing down offers many benefits, including:

• Better mental and physical health
• Decreased feelings of stress and anxiety
• Increased clarity
• Deeper connections with people you care about most
• More time for the things you enjoy
• Increase in overall happiness and sense of well-being
• Feeling recharged, which can lead to more productivity and creativity

Sign me up!

We have many reasons to slow down; now, let’s look at exactly how.

Here is a list of ideas to get you started on a path to slow living today:

Steps to take to incorporate slow living tips into your days:

This is a list I’ve gathered from experiences I’ve had, as well as from research I’ve done on this topic:

• Simplify your living space
• Embrace a slow and satisfying morning routine
• Take long walks
• Practice present-moment awareness
• Limit screen time
• Engage in meaningful hobbies
• Do one thing at a time
• Focus on deepening connections
• Spend time leisurely reading
• Set boundaries

These slow-living tips will help you embrace a slower and more intentional lifestyle. We’ll examine each one below.

Simplify your living space.

Our outer world reflects our inner world, so we can ease our minds by creating environments that resonate with calm and centered feelings.

“We’re embedded in our physical spaces, and different features of those spaces activate psychological forces inside us, which affect how we think and feel,” writes Kross. “If we make smart choices about how we relate to our surroundings, they can help us control our inner voice,” says Ethan Kross of Chatter.

When faced with excess, we can be distracted and overwhelmed. Getting rid of things in our environment can have a soothing emotional impact.

So, not only eliminating clutter but also creating a comfortable space is vital.

Simplifying our outer world urges us to enjoy a healthier inner world and positively impact our everyday lives.

See more tips on creating a haven for yourself here.

Another tip: Consider a slow and satisfying morning routine.

There is no set way to embrace a slow morning routine. You can experiment with many different ideas.

I like this inspirational template from Gina Lucia at Limit Breaker:

1. What will you prioritize?
2. When will you wake up?
3. What aspects of your morning do you want to do slowly?
4. Is there one thing you’d like to do that you usually don’t have time for on busy days?”

So, a bit of planning ahead is helpful. The night before, you can decide to have a slow morning and think about what you want to do.

Other suggestions include:

• No phone. No to-do’s.
• Open the blinds. Sit quietly.
• Let your body lead. Do you feel like resting more? Do you feel like stretching?

Starting your day on the right note is key.

More ideas on creating a slow morning routine here.

And check out my morning routine here.

Also, take long walks.

“Walking outdoors and being among nature helps us to calm down, relieves stress, sparks creativity, and encourages the release of happy hormones,” says Field and Nest

I love this one.

Sometimes, we push ourselves to work out intensely, but taking long walks can invite a slow-living vibe with less effort and more joy. Plus, it’s a great way to explore your neighborhood and discover hidden gems.

And you can still reap the benefits of physical exercise without pushing yourself too hard.

Embrace present-moment awareness.

“Mindfulness teacher Jon Kabat-Zinn argues that if you want to live a longer life, presence — not drugs, healthy eating, or any other strategy — is the best solution. You may not live longer in terms of calendar time, but your life experience and perception of time will expand. The days, months, and years can be richer, more meaningful, and more fully lived.” says Eric Langshur and Nate Klemp at Mindful.

While practicing present-moment awareness, our mind slows down. In a state of presence, we can’t think and rethink. Tuning into awareness allows your mind to rest.

Slow living is about relaxing our constantly churning minds.

** Read more about seeking peace and clarity in our ever-changing world here.

Limit screen time.

This one goes without saying.

In today’s technology-driven world, we are constantly bombarded with screens and notifications that demand our attention. This constant stimulation can lead to a scattered and anxious mind. By limiting our screen time, we give ourselves a break from the constant flow of information and allow our minds to rest.

While technology has its benefits, it can also be a major source of stress and anxiety. Make it a habit to disconnect from technology for at least an hour each day. Use this time to engage in activities that nourish your mind and soul such as reading, meditating, or spending quality time with loved ones.

We can’t move slowly while receiving constant notifications and becoming trapped in endless, meaningless spirals.

Slow living requires mindful letting go of our devices to explore a world that moves gracefully and effortlessly.

Spend more quality time with others. Focus on deeper connections.

“In a culture that values efficiency and productivity, genuine connection often takes a backseat to superficial interactions. According to the Three Dots blog, “Slow living challenges this notion by encouraging us to cultivate deeper relationships, engage in meaningful conversations, and invest our time and energy in building strong, authentic connections,” according to the Three Dots blog.

We can jam-pack our days and spread ourselves thin with multiple social engagements, but are they leading to deeper connections?

Slow living and sharing a sincere moment with a friend can lead to a more meaningful, profound connection — something we desperately crave.

** Read more about the power of listening here.

Engage in various hobbies.

When we indulge in a hobby, we take the time to slow down and be present in the moment.

Summer is a perfect time to consider what you’d like to do.

Some ideas include gardening, painting, photography, cooking…

Consider preparing a special meal at a leisurely pace, savoring the process as much as the result. This approach aligns with the ‘slow food’ movement, a vital aspect of the slow living philosophy that emphasizes mindful living and intentional consumption.

** Read about the connection between gardening and well-being here.

Do one thing at a time.

Have you heard the arguments against multitasking? Not only is it ineffective, but it also leads to burnout and a lack of productivity.

A slower lifestyle requires doing one thing at a time.

Doing one thing at a time allows you to be fully present with whatever you’re doing. Giving a task all of your attention can experience and delight you with layers of depth.

“Learn to do one thing at a time, mindfully. You can’t savor that piece of cake if your brain is busy balancing a budget report, but those extra calories will hang around. You may as well enjoy them!” from the simplicity habit.

** Learn more about finding calm and clarity from the wisdom of Verse 15 of the Tao Te Ching here.

Bring leisurely reading into your day.

So, how often do you take the time to sit quietly and read?

This tried and true habit is key to slowing down and enjoying the moment.

Check your screen time every week and see if you can carve out time to read a favorite novel.

If you allow 30 minutes per day to read, you might be surprised by how quickly you can get finish that book you’ve been wanting to read.

Manage responsibilities and set boundaries.

“Slow living involves making deliberate choices about how you spend your resources, including your most valuable resource: time. Learn to say no when necessary. Setting boundaries allows you to focus on what truly matters and avoid overcommitting.” from Wild Linens.

We don’t live in isolation. We live in an ecosystem with friends and family and are surrounded by expectations all around us. It takes deliberate effort to create space for a slow day.

When you’ve committed to having one, be clear! Not only to yourself but to those around you.

Wrapping Up and My Experience With Slow Living:

So, I didn’t realize it, but I was practicing the art of slow living long before the slow living movement came about.

For me, it was a need to have a day to relax and do very little physically, mentally, and emotionally.

When I became a young, divorced, single mom at the age of 30, I knew I needed to keep my reserves intact. I did this by taking one day per week — in my case, Tuesday — to myself.

Fortunately, I had the resources to ensure that this day stuck. I practiced optometry and worked for myself, so I had a mandate — no work on Tuesdays.

As my daughter grew and went to school, the day became more and more cherished.

On Tuesdays, I would wake up, get my coffee, get her ready for school, and then take my coffee and go back to bed! I would lay around, read, relax, and do whatever I wanted.

Later in the day, I would take a walk, go to a yoga class, or do whatever I felt like doing.

I would often go out for dinner with her instead of cooking.

Above all, looking back, this day served as more than a day off. It was a ceremonial day of respite, keeping me charged throughout the week. No matter how much I had going on, I could count on Tuesday to get me through. It was my slow living day.

So what do you think?

Do you have a weekly slow day? Mine has moved to Sundays.

Share any thoughts you have below.

For a list of quotes, look here https://www.milkglasshome.com/slow-living-quotes/