Interested in slow living and enjoying your life even more? These simple tricks will help you slow down, savor more and live intentionally.
For me, this year has been all about slow living—slowing down, letting go of the things outside my control, doing less and finding a flow that feels effortless and good. It’s a process for sure, but the more I lean into it, the easier and more enjoyable my life has become. For so many years, I actually kind of loved the hustle culture. If I was busy, I felt important and even more successful.
But, for whatever reason, this year, I said screw it. I don’t want to keep pushing and feeling exhausted by keeping up with some made-up expectations for myself. And, you know what? It feels good to slow down. To not take on as much, to say no when it doesn’t feel like a hell yes, and mostly I’ve learned to not take on other people’s emotions and problems as my own, and wow, talk about a weight being lifted.
More and more, I find that I’m not alone in this desire to live a slower pace of life. While all pieces can’t be calm and easy all the time—hello, we have two young kids who are the opposite of calm—finding more space to let your nervous system really chill out, actually makes the crazy moments a lot easier to manage.
Here are few simple ways to start adopting a slower pace of life and get more joy out of living.
8 Ways to Adopt Slow Living & Build a Live You’re Totally Obsessed With
Romanticize your Life
This one might sound a little silly at first, but romanticizing your life, taking note of all the small, insignificant things, and finding joy in places you once ignored is key to slowing down. When you start doing this, you start noticing more good in your life.
It becomes easier to see when you’re mind is focused. You savor the little things, take joy in everyday things like your skincare routine, making your bed or simply getting dressed. Make it fun, feel good in the moment and watch how it transforms your days.
Make Time for Morning Routines
I’m a big routine person over here and while I love my morning routine, I realize that mine might not work for you. The goal here is to find something that feels good. Don’t just look up someone else’s morning routine and copy it because they say it’s the only way.
If you like sleeping until 7 (and don’t have kids that will wake you up before then), do it. If you like getting up before them and having a coffee in peace, do it! Slow living is all about creating routines and rituals that feel wonderful to you.
There is no right or wrong way, but a morning routine that gets you into your own happy place will set your day off on the right foot and create more peace throughout your day.
Spend More Time in Nature
Getting away from technology and screens by stepping outside into nature is one of the best ways to slow down. Being in nature connects you to your surroundings like nothing else.
Leave your phone at home and enjoy the sunshine or cold air on your face while you go for a walk. Not only does exercise benefit us physically, it also is so good for our mental state.
Part of slowing down, is letting your mind and thoughts slow down too, and spending more time outside is one of the quickest ways to chill your brain out.
Do Less
Sounds easier said than done, right? But think about how many things we often try to squeeze into a day. As a to-do list lover, I take pride in being able to check-off my to-do list everyday.
Not that long ago, my to-do lists were wildly long, like there were physically not enough hours in the day to get all that done! I still love my lists, but I don’t put as much on there. If it’s not essential, I let it go.
Slow living means you’re not rushing, and when we take away all the extra stuff that causes us to rush, we can fall into this habit more gracefully and easily.
Only Say Yes when it’s a Hell Yes
This can be a tough one for anyone who considers themselves a people-pleaser, but saying yes to stuff because you feel obligated creates resentment and exhaustion. If it’s not a hell yes, then it’s a no.
You don’t need to explain yourself either. If someone invites you to something that you don’t want to do, all you need to say is, “thank you so much for the invite, but I’m not available that night!” You don’t have to make up a story or explain why you’re not available—just a reminder because I know sometimes I feel the need to explain and then it gets awkward.
Savor Your Meals
Okay, as you may have noticed, I love to cook and I love to eat. Meal time is so special to me. Gathering around the table with my loved ones, or even by myself to nourish and fuel my body is an absolute pleasure.
Don’t rush through your meals—savor them, seriously! Really take in the flavors and textures and be grateful for the people who created the food for you, even if that’s you.
Prioritize Relationships
Humans are meant to be around humans! I think we all saw how hard it was on all of us to be separated from family and friends during the pandemic. It really put into perspective just how much we need those relationships for our own mental health.
When you’re working on slowing down and finding more joy in your life, make your relationships, the ones that matter to you a priority. Maybe that means a weekly phone-call, or text check-in, or making plans to go walking or out to dinner with a friend.
For romantic relationships or marriages, make time to really connect with each other and spend time focusing on one another. Cherish and pour into your relationships and you will get so much happiness back from them.
Make an Effort to See the Good
This is one of the biggest mindset shifts we can make and practice every single day. As a former pessimist, I one day woke up and realized, wow, I am creating all this negativity in my life. And, for what?!
It can feel weird or even fake at first when you start doing it, but the more you practice seeing the positive and the good, the silver lining, even in situations that seem crappy, you will completely change your life.
People are attracted to your infectious joy and positivity and before you know it, good will surround you everyday. Negative thoughts and situations don’t shake you, and living a peaceful, slower, calm life comes easily.
How do you slow down and live more intentionally?
BTW, 3 easy rituals for a better morning, and 6 insane benefits of daily movement.
