If you are out of breath at the end of each day, or running seriously low on spirit, you’re not alone. The earth feels like it’s spinning faster than usual these days and you’re one of many humans trying to fit everything in between snippets of unrestful sleep. If you’re anything like I used to be, then you may just be suffering from “hustlers’ sydrome”, nightmares and a bad case of the yawns the minute you get out of bed. If you’re always hustling to make the next dollar, snap the next picture, or sacrifice yourself at the feet of “service”, this is your wake-up call. Now is the time to try out slow living!

A slower lifestyle is just the thing you need to experience true health and happiness every day. And unlike what many people believe, living slowly does not mean being lazy—you won’t be giving up any of your hard-earned success when you do! 

What Is Slow Living? 

In a world where you can get almost anything in just a few clicks—slow living requires a conscious effort. It’s the kind of life in which you approach everything slowly and purposefully, resulting in a calmer, more satisfying experience of life.

Do you ever feel like you’re running on a hamster wheel—always chasing down the next goal or milestone? Odds are you’re so fixated on the future that you don’t even realize what you’ve already accomplished.

Slow living helps you reconnect and prioritize peacefulness. How much nicer would it feel to actually experience your accomplishments rather than simply rush past them? 

This may seem strange! So let me explain more, starting with some words that describe humans with a slow living mentality:

• Aware
• Passionate
• Calm
• Focused
• Reflective
• Intentional
• Connected

How do those words resonate for you? You may be thinking… I can’t slow down! I have things to do! We’re all conditioned to feel that way. I know I was! But if you pause to consider the consequences of slow living—they are all positive! You will feel more passionate, connected and satisfied by giving yourself the space to tune in.

Choosing a slow life is like choosing one paved in rewards. There is nothing to be afraid of when you give yourself time to think clearly, check in with yourself often and take the time to enjoy the journey.

Before you talk yourself out of it, do you remember who you are living your life for? (Hint: Check the mirror!) There is no reward for running yourself into the ground, so it’s time that you find ways to be present and enjoy the ride.

Slow living is a mindset, which means you have to practice it in order to master it. If you want to get started, it’s easy enough to climb on board! But there is some work to be done before you can become a pro.

How Did The Slow Living Movement Begin?

The slow living lifestyle began roughly four decades ago in response to fast food restaurants opening in Italy. While many Italians loved the convenience of grabbing their food in a hurry, others (the very first slow-movers) banded together to protect traditional meal habits and food varieties.

Carlo Petrini was at the forefront of the “slow food” movement! He asserted that nothing could replace the value of slowly cooking and enjoying nutritious foods. Years later, we can all see his point. Afterall, fast food is not always the best choice!

Fast food remains one of many things that detracts from a purposeful, calm lifestyle. But even more issues were brought to light in the years that followed the 80’s slow food movement. New technologies shook up old traditions and made everything–from the way people communicated, to the way they commuted—feel much too fast.

More people hopped on the slow bandwagon in the early 2000s with the publication of a book called In Praise of Slowness. The author, Carl Honoré, encouraged readers to adopt a slower way of living. He not only taught about the importance of traditionally-prepared foods and sit-down meals, but also explained the concepts of slow career-building, slow parenting, and the importance of having slow pastimes.

The development of new technologies and a whirlwind economy has made fast living a subconscious standard across the globe. On the other hand, slow living is catching on to more and more people who crave inner peace and a greater quality of life.

What Are the Major Aspects of Slow Living? 

Listen, you don’t have to move around like a sloth to adopt a slow lifestyle! Slow living is really defined by a few key thought patterns. Anyone can try them out, and everyone can benefit from them.

Have a look at four ways of thinking that may lead to a slower (more fulfilling) existence.

Prioritizing Your Well-Being by Saying No and Not Overscheduling Yourself 

The power of “no” cannot be underestimated! Think about the last time you forced yourself to accept an invitation or take on a project that you truly didn’t want to tackle. If every second of your calendar is booked (and you’re feeling weighed down by your obligations to other people) you’re probably saying “yes” a bit too often.

Years on end living a fast lifestyle gives many people a complex about missing out! (I’m sure you can relate to the fear of being left out of a memory—absent from the social media pictures.) Really, who decided that it was bad to take breaks or leave time (even whole days!) to yourself? 

To really understand what I’m saying, let’s put it into perspective… Let’s say that an old friend invites you to their wedding. There was a time when you and your soon-to-be-married buddy were close! But recently, you haven’t seen very much of them and aren’t feeling excited by the financial cost, travel, and planning associated with their big day.

Saying “no” is completely okay! And it makes sense in this situation. A wedding invitation is (or should be) given out with the hope that guests can feel relaxed and have a good time on the big day. No guest should feel like their attendance is mandatory. 

Celebrations are not chores, and there is nothing wrong with following your gut and missing out once in a while.

With a slow lifestyle, you live every day for yourself. With some practice, you will come to realize that others can understand and respect you when you put yourself first. (They might even follow your lead and try it out for themselves!)

Disconnecting From Technology to Focus On Community

You know what I’m talking about. Work emails constantly come through on your phone. Plus, social media alerts, phone calls, text messages, are all accessible through one pocket-sized device that you have with you all the time. 

Heck! Even cars have the ability to read your messages to you or channel calls through the speakers! If you don’t set boundaries on your technology, you will definitely fall victim to it.

And I get it… we all like our technology from time to time. But consider how being surrounded by tech affects your relationships and your overall mental well-being.

The next time you stroll past a playground, take a look at the parents watching their children. Some will be actively engaged with their little ones! Others will be checked out on their cell phones or listening to music—detached from the excitement of the swing set or monkey bars. Sometimes it’s a sad scene to watch. But it’s the norm now.

The same can be said for couples in restaurants, families in movie theaters, and even single folks in search of partners. Technology completely distracts people from real-world connections.

Carving out time to be away from technology benefits everyone. It helps you feel more present in conversations and closer to the people you’re with. It frees you to have creative thoughts and a peaceful mind! This aspect of slow living alone can cure so many of life’s problems.

Rejecting Consumerism and Committing to Minimalism

Consumerism takes on the ideology that things can make someone happy. News flash! You can’t buy joy and contentment in a store.

Instead, slow-living individuals are more minimalistic. They shop in their own closets, understanding that their old shirts can do the same job as new shirts do. 

And don’t get me wrong! Slow living doesn’t mean that you’ll never go shopping again. (I’d be lying if I said I didn’t go on a spree every now and then) But it will help you realize how much you already have! A slow lifestyle helps you practice gratitude and puts into perspective the things you actually need (versus those you only want).

Taking on this slow living mindset will not only bring you greater peace… It will help you save money. So your small, frantic purchases may turn into a greater investment (like a new home or a special trip) down the line. 

Practicing Mindfulness in Your Everyday Life

Mindfulness is the experience of being present—not worrying about what happened yesterday or what will come tomorrow.

There are many tools to help you be present:

• Meditation
• Self-talk
• Journaling
• Therapy
• Creating (think painting, baking or playing an instrument)

And those are just the tip of the iceberg. Mindfulness can come about through anything, so long as your intention is there. It is often uncomfortable letting the quiet sneak into your head, but it gets easier the more you practice it.

Think back to the last time you commuted somewhere by yourself—did you play out scenarios in your head that haven’t happened yet? Did you replay an unpleasant experience or conversation?

Simply steering your thoughts away from your past (or your hypothetical future) will help you with slow living. 

How Can You Start Slow Living Today? 

If slow living is starting to sound pretty great to you, these tips can help you get started. A new, calmer, more meaningful lifestyle is possible if you take these pointers to heart.

Start With Small Habits

You can’t expect to wake up tomorrow with a completely new mindset. Living slowly starts small. For example, you can begin by adjusting one or two parts of your day in an effort to be more mindful or minimalistic.

Try journaling for a few minutes before bed or first thing in the morning. I like to write out a page of things I’m grateful for, things I’m learning or even positive things that I believe in! You don’t have to write a novel, just jot a few sentences to reflect on what you’re grateful for, or what you’re proud of. Practice having present thoughts while you brush your teeth. Smell the morning air on the way to work or your morning walk!

Small changes will lead to unconscious practice later on. 

Figure Out Your Values to Know Why You’re On This Slow Living Journey

Try to put your finger on it. Do you want to practice slow living because you are unhappy? Is it because you’re overwhelmed, stressed, or overtired? Are you just curious about what it feels like to live each day for yourself?

Pegging your motivation will help you stay the course to a better lifestyle. No matter what feels off or what you’re lacking, slowing down has a way of helping you.

When you slow down, you take back your life. You stop living the way others want you to live and begin living on your own terms.

Track Your Time to Identify Where You Can Live More Slowly

Take notice of how much time you spend on each part of your day. It may surprise you how many hours a day you spend watching television or staring at social media. 

When you get a clear picture of how long you spend wasting time, it’s easier to take it back. Repurpose those lost minutes laughing at Reels to something actually good for your soul.

Maybe you’ll uncover enough time to go for a walk or write a song. Free up some seconds for meditation or writing poems. You’ll be so glad you did!

Disconnect From Your Devices

Instead of putting your hobbies or extracurriculars on the chopping block when your life gets busy, disconnect from your technology instead. 

An important component to slow living is being present with your surroundings. Having your eyes glued to a screen seriously interrupts that opportunity. You will ultimately have more time for more things if you can fight the urge to float away into cyberspace.

A good way to manage your device usage is to carve out limited time during the day for it. Leverage timers so that it doesn’t suck you in for too long.

Shop Sustainably for Your Clothing 

Too many clothing brands waste valuable resources to make their products. When you adopt slower living techniques, you understand that using or having too much of anything is senseless. I’ll admit, this is still something that I’m learning about and integrating into my life. My favorite new brand is FARM Rio for beautiful, bright clothes.

Instead of buying new clothes for every occasion, consider borrowing or thrifting for new looks. You can also look around for globally-conscious brands who share your values (and produce less waste during manufacturing).

Not to mention the clothes you already have in your closet likely have plenty of wear left. Appreciate what you have! Try pairing a few of your pieces together in a new or different way. It’s amazing the fun outfits you can create by simply reimagining the clothes you already own. I realized a few weeks back that I’ve only bought 2 new dresses in the past FIVE years! Everything else I’ve had in my closet for many years.

Declutter Your Space 

A chaotic space means a chaotic mind. So be sure to clean up along your path to slow living. 

Take a tour of your home and pluck out the items that no longer make you happy (if they ever did!). Decluttering your environment will make it easier for you to focus and prioritize your state of mind.

Every couple of months I take the time to clean out and rearrange my closet. I always give away clothes to friends, so the items don’t go to waste. I even gave away a bag of clothes to someone I met on the way to the donation bin recently! Cleaning up and clearing out is exciting… when you do it for the purpose of living a better life. 

Plan Out Your Days

You schedule things like appointments, meetings, errands, and classes. Why not schedule time for yourself, too?

When you allocate time to do the things you love, you’re less likely to skip out on them. It might feel silly turning down an invitation to something else for a date with yourself, but your time is just as important as (or more important than) anyone else’s.

It may surprise you how much energy and zest for life you will have just by carving out time for the things you like to do. 

Choose Locally and Organically Grown Foods

Consider the foods you eat on your slow living journey. By shopping locally, you support the growers in your town. And by eating fresh, nutritious foods, you invest in your health.

The biggest adjustment for this tip is that you’ll need to shop in a few different places for the things you need. The major grocery stores in your community may have everything on your shopping list, but they won’t necessarily sell products from local suppliers.

Remember! Quick isn’t necessarily better. Make a few tweaks to your shopping runs and more purposeful errands will soon become second nature to you.

Prioritize Quality Sleep 

Picture those nights your boss asked you to stay late to finish an assignment or the nights you browsed through social media until your eyes burned.

Lack of sleep not only affects your energy day after day, it impacts your mood and clouds your focus. 

You can prioritize sleep by setting a concrete bedtime for yourself! Get into a regular bedtime routine so your body and mind have time to shut down and relax at night. Soon your body will learn to recognize sleep ques and drift off peacefully night after night.

Pick Up a Slow Hobby

Slow pastimes are great for practicing mindfulness and can get you into the swing of a slower routine. Slow hobbies include reading, crocheting, putting together a puzzle, or painting a picture.

Remember that part of slow living means less screen time, so don’t mistake TV or your cell phone for a slow hobby. Ideally, a healthy habit requires all of your focus, keeping your hands and your brain busy!

It may feel old-fashioned at first. But taking on hobbies that don’t require a video-game controller or a set of batteries exercises a different part of your brain. You will definitely feel a difference in your mood and sense of fulfillment when you invest in a new hobby.

Bring Mindfulness Into Your Daily Routine

In time, mindfulness will happen automatically. But when you’re just starting out on your lifestyle transformation, you have to make time to practice mindfulness. 

The best times to practice mindfulness are during the natural pauses in your day. In the morning when you first wake up, during your lunch break, or just before bed are perfect times for purposeful thinking.

You can also leverage your daily commute for mindfulness, or get in the zone while you’re in the shower. You don’t need much to be mindful—just some calm determination.

Develop a Positive Mindset

A negative mindset—seeing the glass half-empty—will destroy your efforts to slow down. You simply cannot have optimal success with slow living if you’re consumed by sad thoughts and are unwilling to change.

On the other hand, if you’re driven to see the glass half full and appreciate the simpler things in life, you will get more out of slow living. 

Picture getting a flat tire on the freeway. Instead of sulking while you wait for the tow truck to arrive, make the effort to enjoy the view or reflect on something more joyful. On the bright side, a new tire is in my future… and thank goodness I didn’t get hurt!

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In reality, taking on slow living doesn’t mean that you’ll lose the race. In the end, nobody is tracking your speed or handing out trophies for the most parties attended, projects assigned, or apps downloaded. Your success can’t be measured by how busy you are. Rather, the only real success in life is finding sustainable happiness.