We live in a world that glorifies busy. The to-do lists, the multitasking, the pressure to be constantly available, it all adds up. For YEARS, I lived on busy mode with an insane daily routine! My alarm would go off at 5 am and I’d jump out of bed and start right into my day. Seriously, I’d either immediately workout, do a bit of work or clean the house, but I was always busy.
I hit a breaking point after a couple of decades (yes, it took awhile!) but I realized it wasn’t serving me. I said to myself, what if, instead of speeding through the days, I slowed down on purpose? What if I chose simplicity, presence, and intention over hustle?
Welcome to the beauty of slow living, a lifestyle rooted in mindfulness, sustainability, and finding joy in the everyday moments. You don’t have to move off the grid or change your life overnight to experience it. You can begin right where you are, with a few small shifts in your daily routine.
Here’s how to create a more mindful rhythm in your days (with my favorite tips!), one that feels good for your heart, your home, and the planet.
🌞 Start Your Day Gently
Instead of diving straight into screens or tasks, give yourself a moment of stillness. Light a candle. Sip a warm drink. Step outside for a breath of fresh air.
Ideas to try:
- A 5-minute morning stretch or meditation
- Journaling or writing a few words of gratitude
- Opening the window to let in natural light and birdsong
This is how I start every morning now. Jayson and I wake up together, he makes me a cappuccino, and we snuggle next to the fireplace for quiet time!
It doesn’t have to be elaborate, it just has to be intentional. And since starting this routine, I feel so much more relaxed throughout the day!
☕ Create Rituals, Not Routines
Routines are helpful, but rituals are what ground us. A morning cup of tea, an afternoon walk, lighting a candle while you prep dinner—these simple habits become little anchors of peace throughout the day.
My morning ritual looks like this: cappuccino -> workout or a hike -> get ready -> ease into my morning work! The work out is definitely a ritual that I do not skip, it’s a lifesaver!
Ask yourself: What tiny moment can I turn into a sacred pause?
🧺 Do Less, More Mindfully
We often think productivity means doing more. But real productivity, the kind that leaves you feeling fulfilled, comes from doing fewer things with more presence.
Whether it’s folding laundry, cooking dinner, or working on your laptop, try doing just one thing at a time. Slow living invites us to stop rushing through tasks and instead connect with them.
This one is TOUGH for me. I’m a multi-tasker to a fault! But I’ve been trying to slow down, do one thing at a time, and it’s making a difference.
🧼 Make Everyday Tasks Beautiful
Yes, even the dishes. Especially the dishes. Choose tools and products that you love to use, beautiful, functional, sustainable. A wooden dish brush, a glass bottle of natural soap, a handmade dish towel.
Turn on music, take your time, and let it be a part of your rhythm instead of a chore to check off.
As I’ve gotten older, this has become very important to me. I don’t buy anything unnecessary that doesn’t light me up!
🌿 Get Outside, Daily
Whether it’s a morning walk, lunch on the patio, or a quiet moment in the garden, nature has a way of slowing us down. Let the sun, breeze, and birdsong remind you to breathe deeper and live more gently.
This is essential to my own well-being, I love to sneak a hike in the morning or the afternoon (depending on how busy my day is!)
Leave your phone behind and allow yourself to simply notice, the smell of fresh earth, the sound of wind through trees, the way the light shifts.
🧘♀️ Let Go of “Shoulds”
A big part of slow living is rewriting the story of what a “successful” day looks like. It doesn’t have to be packed with productivity. Maybe success looks like taking a nap, saying no to a commitment, or spending 15 quiet minutes reading a book you love.
Again, this one is a work in progress for me! I’ve gotten better at it now that Jayson works for me and is home all day! He’s great at letting go of “shoulds” which in turn is rubbing off on me.
Give yourself permission to rest, recharge, and redefine your pace.
🕯️ Create a Soft Evening Wind-Down
Let your evenings signal a gentle transition. Dim the lights, close the laptop, and swap screen time for something more soothing.
Try:
- Reading by candlelight
- A lavender-scented bath
- Herbal tea and journaling
- A short walk under the stars
Now that we are empty nesters, it could be really easy to grab dinner on the sofa (or bed – my favorite! Don’t judge!) but Jayson and I have been very mindful to have dinner almost every night at the dining room table, just like we did when Eben lived at home.
The way you close your day matters. Let it be slow, soft, and nourishing.
💚 Slow is a Superpower
Choosing slow doesn’t mean you’re falling behind, it means you’re tuning in. To your breath, your surroundings, your values, and your life.
Start small. Pick one slow habit and make it part of your day. Let it root you in something deeper than the scroll, the schedule, or the rush.
And remember: you don’t have to do it all to do it well.
💬 I’d love to hear: What’s one way you’re slowing down this season? Share your favorite slow living rituals in the comments!
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