Slow living is not about doing things slowly; it’s about doing things with purpose and meaning. We should all embrace slow living at least once in a while to reconnect with ourselves, our surroundings, and nature, to truly find our purpose. I will share a few simple ways to incorporate slow living without stressing about it. Not all of us can wake up slowly and take our time because we have jobs, responsibilities, and children to care for, but we should all find moments to slow down and reconnect with ourselves.
If you think slow living is for unmotivated people who don’t want to achieve anything in life, think again. In reality, it’s the opposite. You have to slow down to think things through instead of living on autopilot, stuck in the rat race. You have to slow down to reassess your values, reflect on how they’ve changed, and find solutions to challenges in life, work, and relationships. Slow living allows you to appreciate life because you only notice the details when you stop racing through it.
Here are a few simple ways to slow down, even with a busy schedule:
Spend Time in Nature
Go for a walk in a park or forest nearby and leave your phone behind. Walk with your thoughts, embrace your surroundings, and appreciate the harmony of nature. Observe the trees, the changing seasons, the tiny flowers blooming, and the insects going about their day. Listen to the sounds of birds, the wind, or a nearby river. Ground yourself, walk barefoot if you can, touch the earth with your hands, or hug a tree. Notice how it makes your body and mind feel.
If you live in a built-up urban area with little access to nature, bring greenery into your home. Get a few plants, care for them, and observe their growth. There is something deeply rewarding about nurturing a plant and watching new leaves grow and mature.
Not into nature? That’s okay. Perhaps you appreciate architecture. Take a walk through your city, exploring places you’ve never been. Notice the details of the buildings, the textures, the color combinations, and what emotions they evoke. Slowing down isn’t just about nature; it’s about taking time to notice the beauty around you.
Check In with Yourself
Make time for yourself and reflect – are you happy? Are you moving in the right direction? Are you following your purpose, or do you need to realign? Find ways that work for you, whether through journaling, meditation, or yoga. Slow living isn’t about copying what influencers do on Instagram; it’s about finding simple ways to be with yourself and quiet the noise around you and in your head.
You don’t need to meditate in a lotus pose for hours like a monk. Start with just two or five minutes of comfortably sitting in silence, closing your eyes, and noticing how you feel. If it’s difficult to quiet your mind, try joining a yoga class or a meditation group to learn from others. Or simply listen to music, without multitasking. Close your eyes, breathe, and truly listen. Or dance freely, letting your body move with the music.
Step Away from Your Phone
Phones have become a massive part of our lives, and going completely offline isn’t realistic. But we can be more mindful of how we use them. Consider setting aside half a day where you lock your phone away and experience life without it. You won’t miss anything urgent, and you’ll be surprised at how freeing it feels.
Try going for coffee without your phone. Observe your surroundings, or lose yourself in a book. Walk without using Google Maps, and see what new details you notice about your city. Give yourself the gift of presence, even if just for a few hours each week. Over time, your mind will slow down, and the endless mental to-do lists will become less intrusive and will quiet down.
Recently I have observed how many people walk their dogs while glued to their phones. Instead, put your phone away and truly engage with your pet. Watch how they interact, how they gather information through their senses, and how they play. Be fully present with them. Say hello to other dog walkers, I met so many interesting people on dog walks.
Declutter
Slow living is about simplicity, which includes decluttering your space. Get rid of things you no longer use- they drain your energy. Do you have too many pots, empty jars, or clothes you’ll never wear again? Clear them out and donate them to someone who will use them.
Decluttering isn’t just physical; it’s also digital. I make it a habit to clear out my laptop every Friday, deleting unnecessary files, and emptying the trash bin, so I start the next week with a fresh mindset.
But the most important decluttering is mental. Our minds are cluttered with endless thoughts, worries, and to-do lists. Writing things down helps clear mental space. Take a pen and paper and just scribble whatever is in your head. It doesn’t need to make sense, just get it out. You’ll be surprised how much lighter you feel.
Spend Time with People Who Matter
We often say yes to every invitation out of fear of missing out, but slow living means being intentional about who we spend our time with. Surround yourself with people who uplift and inspire you, those who embrace your way of thinking rather than trying to change it.
Have deep, meaningful conversations, over coffee, during a walk, or in nature. Listen more than you talk. Slow, honest conversations with people who truly matter can be incredibly fulfilling. It is not about running to each event and having a chit-chat with as many people as you can, but slowing down and having a few meaningful conversations that enrich you.
Eat Mindfully
Food is more than just a source of energy; it is also an experience. In a fast-paced world, we often eat on the go, distracted by screens or rushing through meals without truly chewing and tasting them. Slow living encourages mindful eating, paying attention to what, and how we eat.
Preparing your own meals can be a great way to embrace mindful eating. Instead of seeing cooking as a chore, treat it as a form of self-care. Notice the textures, colors, and smells of your ingredients. Savor each bite and eat without distractions. Whether you cook a simple meal or try a new recipe, approaching food with intention can make a big difference to your satiety, digestion, and overall well-being.
If cooking isn’t your thing, you can still practice mindful eating by slowing down, chewing thoroughly, and appreciating your food. Take a moment to express gratitude for the meal in front of you, recognizing the effort that went into growing, harvesting, and preparing it. Eating mindfully helps you enjoy food more and strengthens your connection with your body’s needs.
Lose Yourself in Something You Love
One of the most fulfilling ways to embrace slow living is to immerse yourself in something you truly love. The Japanese call it ikigai, the deep joy that comes from doing something you are passionate about. It could be painting, knitting, gardening, dancing, cooking, writing, fixing cars, anything that makes you lose track of time and feel completely content.
This isn’t about productivity or making money; it’s about pleasure. It’s about doing something for the pure love of it, with no concern for the outcome. For some people, this passion becomes their career, but for many, it’s a hobby. Think about what truly brings you happiness and make time for it, whether it’s daily, weekly, or whenever you can. Doing what you love nourishes your soul and adds meaning to life.
Be More Sustainable
Modern life is filled with excess packaging and waste, but slow living includes being mindful of our consumption. While going completely zero-waste is difficult, small changes make a difference. Shop at farmers’ markets instead of supermarkets when possible to avoid plastic packaging.
Having worked in fashion, I’ve realized how trends encourage unnecessary consumption. Slow living means curating a wardrobe with timeless pieces that truly represent you, rather than chasing every new trend. Some of my favorite clothing items have lasted years because I chose quality over quantity.
Being sustainable isn’t about perfection; it’s about making thoughtful decisions, whether it’s fashion, food, or lifestyle choices.
To Summarize The Slow Living Tips
Life is not just about achievements, money, power, or titles. It’s about appreciating the beauty in everyday moments and being grateful for what we have. Slow living isn’t about abandoning ambition; it’s about slowing down enough to be focused, grateful, and truly happy.
Slow living reminds us that life moves fast, and we must pause to be present. It teaches us that happiness doesn’t come from having more, it comes from appreciating what we already have. Slow living isn’t about giving up on success; it’s about questioning, experiencing, and fully enjoying life, because we only have one, and it is so precious.
Silvija Meilunaite PN1-NC, is a certified nutrition coach and a writer in the nutrition and self-improvement field with a passion for exploring science-based knowledge focusing on holistic health and plant-based nutrition.
Featured in the Wellness on Time magazine.
