When you hear the words “slow living,” you might picture a woman running through a field of lilies or lounging in a lush backyard in a flowing white dress and a flower crown. This woman air-dries her laundry on a clothesline, grows tomatoes and basil in her spacious garden overlooking the countryside, and spends her days pickling pears while listening to crickets sing lullabies at sunset. She has no responsibilities, no neighbors, and apparently no need for money.
I’m not going to lie—these days, my life somewhat resembles this woman’s, minus the endless countryside, spacious backyard, and outdoor clothesline. I live in a studio apartment in the city and definitely use a washer and dryer. But I do love a good slow-cooked pear, and sitting outside to tune into the sound of birds is one of the most magical moments I enjoy every day. However, there was a time when the idea of slow living felt completely foreign to me. Something only available to other people. People living in houses with backyards, people with smaller dreams than mine, or people with bottomless bank accounts and not a care in the world. And yet, I craved what they had. It seemed like a simple enjoyment of life.
This longing tugged at my heartstrings, calling me back to a life I remembered from childhood—a modest upbringing in the Sunshine Coast hinterland of Australia, at the base of Cooran Mountain. I remember picking mulberries from the bush at the back of our property, observing Saturdays as a “day of rest,” and riding in the back of our old red convertible Volkswagen (our “buggie”) to go macadamia picking in the rainforest near Yandina.
But slow living in the city? How could that be possible when everything around me moved so fast? The hum of the city is ever-present—sirens, garbage trucks, impatient motorists, and people fighting their way to get ahead. It seemed impossible.
What Is Slow Living?
Slow living, to me, is about reconnecting to a way of life that is in harmony with nature itself. It’s about being fully present in my life—tuning into my surroundings, my body, and the natural rhythms of the world. It’s about rejecting the idea that life has to be a constant race, where productivity is the ultimate measure of success. Instead, it’s choosing to savor the in-between moments, to move with intention, and to trust that everything unfolds in its own time. It’s not about doing nothing or living without ambition; it’s about creating a life that feels good from the inside out. Slow living is the art of being where you are, whether that’s a quiet countryside or a busy city street, and finding beauty in the moment.
Related: What is Slow Living? An Unexpected Path to Freedom.
How Do You Start Living A Slower Life?
First and foremost, embracing slow living means believing that it is the pathway to experiencing everything you truly desire—peace, happiness, love, connection, success, and joy. You have to adopt a slow living mindset!
Years ago, when I first started my business, I worked long hours trying to make something happen. I was desperate to prove that I was “somebody”. At the time, I worked a 9-to-5 job and would wake up at 4am to work on my business before rushing to work. I was financially struggling, constantly chasing success, convinced that my worth was tied to my productivity. I look back at videos from that time and my eyes were bloodshot, my voice was croaky, and I was wound up tight. I was far from the picture of health or relaxation.
At some point, I realized enough was enough. I decided to eliminate the word “busy” from my vocabulary, along with the frantic energy it carried, and instead embrace the word “full,” which felt more abundant and nourishing. I started believing that slowing down would bring happiness and health, which mattered more than material success. I let go of the belief that my value was determined by how much I achieved. As I slowed down, my whole life improved. I created space for better health, more peace, and smarter, more focused work. And, ironically, I also started experiencing more prosperity in my life and in my bank account!
So, How Can You Practice Slow Living in the City?
1. Take Advantage of Transit Time
We often see buses, trains, taxis, and rideshares as contributors to the fast pace of city life. But one of the benefits of living in a city is that we have the option to let someone else drive. While many people use these moments to scroll through social media or catch up on emails, I see them as an opportunity to slow down. I close my eyes and take a deep breath, or I gaze out the window and notice the city passing by—the people, the buildings, the trees swaying in the wind. I might listen to music or simply soak in the ambient noise of life happening around me. These moments of stillness ground me, even amid movement. The choice to be a passenger rather than a driver becomes a simple yet powerful way to build in extra downtime during my day.
2. Walk When You Can
Walking mindfully instead of rushing helps ground you. Whether it’s getting off the bus a stop earlier or asking your Uber driver to drop you a few blocks from your apartment so you can enjoy an extra slow stroll home, choosing to build walking into your day is a game changer. And don’t just hurry from point A to point B. Be fully present. Feel your feet pressing into the earth, notice how it anchors and supports you, sense the gentle rhythm of your arms swinging, and let slow movement transform your spirit. At the height of my frantic years, friends would joke that I walked like a robot. Stiff, distracted, plodding along with a determined frown on my face. I was so caught up in my thoughts and desperate to reach my destination that I never allowed myself to enjoy the simple act of moving my body. Now, I walk with presence, taking in the heartbeat of the city rather than being consumed by its rush.
3. Sit on a Park Bench
Have you ever noticed how cities are dotted with benches? Some are tucked into quiet corners, others line bustling streets, and a few seem to be placed at random, as if someone simply thought, “this would be a nice spot to sit”. And yet, how often do we actually sit? The presence of these benches reminds me that I can stop. That somewhere, someone thought I should take a moment to rest. So, why not? Instead of rushing past, try pausing. Sit for a few minutes, feel the air on your skin, watch people pass by. Maybe you don’t choose the bench; maybe you find a patch of grass instead. Either way, give yourself permission to slow down.
4. Grow Some Houseplants
When I was moving at breakneck speed, I used to kill every plant I owned, tending to them anxiously rather than intuitively. I really just wanted them to grow because I thought they’d make my apartment look pretty. But the more effort I put into keeping them alive, the quicker they’d die. One day, after beginning my slow living journey, I decided to buy some plants to bring a piece of nature into my home and learn to care for them more intuitively. I had recently read a passage from a poem by Naomi Long Madgett that shifted my mindset: “Much growth is stunted by too careful prodding, too eager tenderness. The things we love we have to learn to leave alone.”
I started treating my plants as symbols of slow living. They grow at their own pace, reminding me that life doesn’t need to be forced. Watching them flourish with time and care became a meditation in itself—a lesson in patience, trust, and the natural rhythms of life.
5. Attend a Yoga or Sound Bowl Class
Cities are full of studios offering yoga, meditation, and sound bowl ceremonies. Intentional spaces designed to help us access peace in our busy lives. If you’re in a major city, chances are there’s a studio near you offering yoga for those who prefer slow movement or sound bowl ceremonies for those who simply want to lie back and relax. These classes have been game-changers for me. Reminding me that even in the chaos of a city, we can carve out moments of slowness. And if yoga or sound bowls aren’t your thing, there’s always the option of checking out a local sauna or day spa. Setting aside even an hour for stillness and movement creates ripples of peace throughout the week. These classes act as reminders that slowness is something I can cultivate anywhere, regardless of what’s happening outside.
6. Sit at a Cafe
One of the simplest joys in life, for me, is sitting at a cafe. There’s something about being at my favorite little French cafe on a rainy day or soaking up the sun on a cozy afternoon at my local bakery that reminds me of life’s sweetness. It’s also how I romanticize my life. Even if you only have 30 minutes, carving out that time to be a part of the world while still taking a pause can be so powerful. You don’t need to rush through it. Let the moment linger!
There’s an unspoken connection that happens when you allow yourself to enjoy a moment of stillness in a bustling world. I often see others doing the same—simply taking a breath, their eyes lost in the pages of a book or gazing out at the street. Sometimes, it leads to unexpected connections. Small exchanges with strangers, sharing a fleeting but beautiful moment of humanity. These pauses, are reminders that we’re all in this together, navigating the same world, yet finding joy in the quiet corners we create.
Slow Living in the City Is About Living With Intention
Slow living isn’t dictated by your environment. It’s about how you engage with life, regardless of where you are. The city, with all its hustle and bustle, can still be a sanctuary for slowness, if you allow it. There’s an art to finding moments of peace within the chaos, a dance between the constant motion of the world and the stillness within you. The city offers so much to be grateful for. It’s filled with stories, vibrant characters, and endless opportunities to slow down if you know where to look.
For instance, I find a moment of serenity as I wait for my Uber, eyes drifting lazily over the people around me. Sometimes, the rhythms of the city become my meditation. There’s beauty in the way the sun filters through the windows of the car, the way light plays off the skyscrapers, the gentle rustle of leaves on trees lining the streets. All of this can become part of your slow living practice if you stop and pay attention. You don’t need a countryside retreat to connect with the earth. You can connect right here, in the heart of the city.
So, ask yourself: How can I slow down today, right here? It doesn’t need to be a grand gesture. Maybe it’s a walk, a moment of pause at your favorite cafe, or simply choosing to be fully present wherever you are. Slow living isn’t about eliminating everything that feels fast; it’s about choosing to live with intention, to savor the moments that matter, and to create space for what brings you joy.
How will you use the city to serve your slowness? Let me know in the comments below.
Ps. Want to kickstart your journey to a slower, more romantic way of living? Sign up for the free 5 Days of Slow audio course here.
