Inside: Discover six slow-living habits that will help you to slow down and savor the moments in your life.
In today’s fast-paced, hectic society, many people spend their days rushing from one task to the next. They’re focused on sticking to schedules and accomplishing as much as possible in a day.
While this approach is great for productivity, it isn’t great for much else.
Instead, most of us could benefit from embracing the concept of slow living.
The idea is simple – by slowing down and living with more intention and mindfulness, we can reduce our stress and increase our happiness.
If this sounds like a seismic shift to your current lifestyle, you aren’t alone. Fortunately, you don’t have to take an all-or-nothing approach to slow living.
Start small by incorporating some slow-living habits into your everyday routine, and you’ll soon find you’re savoring the little moments even more than before.
6 Slow-Living Habits to Help You Savor the Moments
What’s slow-living, and how can I practice it? I’m glad you asked. Incorporate a few of these six slow-living habits to savor the moments and be more present in your life.
Slow-Living Habit #1: Start Your Mornings Slowly
Many of us leap out of bed to the sound of our blaring alarm and launch into our morning routine on autopilot. A quick shower, a cup of coffee, a bite of breakfast – and then we’re sprinting out of the house and on our way to our first appointment of the day.
That’s a surefire way to start your day on a stressful note.
Instead, try incorporating morning habits to start your mornings a bit more slowly. That might mean waking up a little bit earlier – but you’ll quickly realize that you benefit more from a slower start to your day than from that extra sleep.
A few ways you can incorporate slow living into your morning include:
Switch up your alarm clock. A sunrise-style clock can be a great way to ease into your day and wake up more naturally.
Incorporate one or two self-care practices into the start of your day. Dedicate a few minutes to journaling as you enjoy your cup of coffee, eat breakfast outside in the fresh air, or think about three things you’re grateful for as you brush your teeth.
Avoid the temptation to grab your cell phone the moment you get up, and leave the television off as you prepare for your day.
Slow-Living Habit #2: Spend More Time Outside
Slowing down and appreciating the beauty that surrounds us costs absolutely nothing but time. And it’s a great way to add happiness and joy to your day.
Additionally, there are physical and mental health benefits associated with spending more time outdoors.
There’s no wrong way to enjoy nature. Love to exercise? Take a walk, go for a run, or ride your bike through your favorite park.
Prefer a slower, more relaxing approach? Read a book on a park bench, enjoy an afternoon snack on a picnic blanket, or grab a pair of binoculars and see what birds you can spot in your nearest nature preserve.
Slow-Living Habit #3: Cut Back On Screen Time
It’s hard to deny that, as a society, we’ve become reliant on technology and screens.
Our phones are our lifeline, connecting us to information, resources, and each other. And our televisions have become a source of on-demand entertainment that can be a struggle to avoid.
While cutting technology and screens entirely out of your life may not be realistic, cutting back is doable – and beneficial.
To start, be more mindful of how much time you spend on screens as well as when you use them.
You might be surprised to find you’re spending far more time than you’d like focused on devices instead of being more fully present with the people and world around you.
From there, set a reasonable goal and hold yourself to it. It might be trying to limit the total amount of time you spend looking at screens each day.
Alternatively, you might choose to focus instead on screen-free activities, like committing to putting your devices away during meals.
Creating boundaries with technology will help you to embrace a slower pace and enjoy the present moment.
Slow-Living Habit #4: Make Time For Your Hobbies
The hustle culture many of us embrace today doesn’t leave much time for doing the things we love.
Slow living, on the other hand, encourages you to prioritize those things that bring you joy – even if they aren’t necessarily productive in the traditional sense.
Create art. Read books. Write poetry. Make pottery. Sew, knit, embroider. Learn how to arrange flowers, focus on your yoga practice, or volunteer in your community.
Contrary to what some believe, you can practice minimalism and enjoy hobbies. You just have to be intentional with how much stuff you bring into your home for them.
And if you aren’t sure what brings you joy? Carve out some time to explore and see what you feel drawn to.
Slow-Living Habit #5: Practice saying “no.”
To fully embrace slow living, it’s important to make time for relaxation, reflection, and fun. In many cases, that means saying “no” to commitments to create space and margin in your life.
There are some commitments that can’t really be pushed off – like the jobs we hold that keep us financially secure.
But there are plenty of other things that find their way onto our schedules, like social events, optional appointments, or favors for friends. They might be nice, but they aren’t necessary.
While turning down offers and asks might not come easily at first, with a little bit of practice, you’ll be able to more easily stand your ground and protect your peace.
Keep in mind that no is a complete sentence, and you don’t have to provide a lengthy explanation.
Decluttering your schedule will help you to live more slowly so you can savor the moments in your life.
Slow-Living Habit #6: Make your home a calming space.
Your home should feel like your sanctuary. After all, it’s hard to slow down and relax in a cluttered, chaotic space.
By taking a more streamlined, simplified approach to your home and getting rid of things that aren’t actually adding value, you create a space that’s welcoming and inviting. This relaxing space is perfect for enjoying a slow start to your morning or winding down after a stressful day at work.
Clear off those counters. Tidy up those bookshelves. Say goodbye to loud, distracting art and decor in favor of pieces that bring you joy and add to your environment. Liven things up with a few plants and invest in low, warm lighting.
While it might require a bit of work to get your home into a cozy, simplified state, once it’s there, a little daily maintenance is all you need to keep your space neat and tidy.
Which of these slow-living habits will you try first? Leave a comment and let me know!
Sign up on the form below to get weekly decluttering and simplifying inspiration sent straight to your inbox. You’ll also get the free 8 Quick Wins for Decluttering Worksheet to help you start to simplify your life today.