In today’s modern world, everything has begun to feel rushed, making time move faster. With new technology, constant social media use, and tight schedules, it can feel impossible to slow down. Yet I’ve found that embracing a slower, more intentional lifestyle has brought me greater peace and overall happiness.
Slow living doesn’t mean doing less or being lazy. It means being fully present in the life God has given you. Below I share five simple ways I embrace slower living in my home.
Slow Living Starts With Mornings
One of the best ways to embrace a slow living lifestyle is to start the day slowly and intentionally.
Spend a few moments after waking up in prayer and set intentions for your day.
I also love soaking up the first soft rays of sunshine in the morning.
Even 5 minutes of morning sun can support an optimum circadian rhythm (aka you may sleep better at night).
Afterwards, I like to sip on a cozy drink, typically a matcha or herbal tea.
I always make sure to pair caffeinated drinks with breakfast in the morning. Aim for a balance of protein, healthy fats, and fiber for steady energy and blood sugar throughout the day!
My favorite part of my mornings has quickly become spending time playing with my baby. Time is fleeting as he grows so I soak it in as much as possible.
If you’re one to rush around in the morning, spend a few minutes before bed to reset.
Do your dishes, pick up around the house, meal-prep breakfast, or pick out your clothes. Checking off these simple tasks before bed will make mornings much easier!
Be Intentional With Your Time
Time is fleeting. We only get 24 hours in a day and sometimes that doesn’t feel like enough.
I am one that likes being productive with my time. I often feel like there is always something productive I could be doing.
A big time-sucker is, and has been, social media: Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, etc.
It’s so easy to scroll (for hours), however I always feel like that time was wasted and I could’ve done something more intentional with my time.
If I find myself mindlessly scrolling, I try to put down my phone and do something else. This can look like a quick workout, playing with baby, spending time with my husband, or doing chores.
While social media can make us feel busy without accomplishing much, an overpacked schedule can be just as draining.
I’ve come to learn that slow living isn’t only about spending less time on my phone. It’s also about being mindful of how much I commit to in my daily life.
As I’ve grown up, I’ve noticed being much happier on a more unpacked schedule.
I’m over the hustle and bustle of our modern world.
I would much rather go through my days slower and more intentional rather than rushing to the next big thing.
When working on my personal health, stress was a huge factor I had to consider.
At the time, I was in college rushing from the gym, to classes, to the dining hall, then hanging out with friends.
The stress from doing well in classes combined with the stress of overworking my schedule left me exhausted and inflamed.
Now, I keep plans to a minimum, try not to overwork myself and feel happier throughout the week.
Take Up Slower Hobbies
Have you ever noticed yourself rushing the task at hand? I’ve been there. Once the baby is down for a nap, I only have so much time to do the chores, make dinner, get quality time with my husband… the list goes on and on.
But I must remind myself to take things slower. Rushing around creates excess stress that nobody needs. When I begin to notice a little overwhelm, I try to do a slow activity to calm my nervous system.
Slow hobbies remind us that not everything needs to be productive. Sometimes the simple act of slowing down is productive in itself.
Walking
My favorite thing to do is go on walks, especially when I’m feeling overwhelmed or need a break from the house.
We live in a neighborhood with sidewalks, making it easy to grab the stroller and head out for a walk.
Not only is it a great form of exercise, but I also get quality time with my husband and an ease on my nervous system due to fresh air and sunshine.
Reading
One thing I wish I had more time to do is read.
I have always enjoyed reading. I was a top reader in my first grade class and ever since I discovered Goodreads, I set a reading goal each year.
My interests have definitely shifted over the years and now my main reads include books on nutrition, health, and cooking (we can’t forget about the many books I read for baby!).
Regardless, reading can be a great way to wind down and spend more time in the present.
Journaling or Scrapbooking
Another slower hobby I enjoy is journaling or scrapbooking.
I had a slight obsession for notebooks in recent years, so I’m left with a stack to be used.
I’ve slowly been filling them with reflections of my life through college, dating, marriage, travel, my health journey, pregnancy, and now motherhood.
Sometimes, I come across an old journal of mine and get to relive that portion of my life.
Similarly, scrapbooks, or even photo albums, show snapshots of life throughout time.
I’ve been planning on starting a scrapbook to document all of the weddings we have and will attend! They each hold a precious memory that I know we’d love to look back on when we’re older.
Plan Your Time
If you’re wanting to embrace slow living and be more intentional with the time you’re given, planning can be a game changer. I am very type-A so I thrive off of planning and organizing my time and life.
Ways to Plan Your Time
One of the main things I plan each week is our meals. By doing this, we save money, mental energy, and above all, time.
Taking just a few minutes on the weekend to plan meals and create a grocery list helps our entire week run more smoothly. There are fewer last-minute decisions, fewer trips through the drive-thru, and less food waste.
As a dietitian, one of my favorite benefits of meal planning is knowing that I have nourishing meals ready for my family. Like anyone else, I can be tempted by convenience, but I always feel better when I have a plan in place.
If you’d like to simplify your week and take one thing off your plate, I’ve created a free weekly meal planning template to help you get started.
Sign up for our newsletter HERE to receive the template, plus healthy recipes, homemaking inspiration, and practical tips for intentional living.
Another helpful tool is creating a weekly schedule.
Set aside time at the beginning of the week to note events, work schedules, activities, etc.
By doing this, you’ll be able to plan accordingly and prepare yourself for the week ahead. Setting goals for the week also sets intention.
These goals can align with your health, meals, prayer, downtime, or whatever you feel you need most this week.
Setting intentions is the first step of being successful with any goal. Brainstorm ways you plan on achieving the goal to better prepare.
Practice Gratitude For Slow Living
It’s easy to let time pass by and not thank God for making it all possible.
Practicing gratitude doesn’t look the same way for everyone.
Prayer at the beginning and end of each day is a great way to set intentions and reflect. Prayer is also a great time to thank God for the life you have been given.
Another way to practice gratitude is by journaling.
Each morning, list out three things you are grateful for, three things you’re looking forward to in the day, and three things that would make the day great.
Before bed, reflect on three highlights of the day.
By doing this simple routine, it can make it easier to focus on the positives rather than dwelling on the negatives of the day.
Gratitude helps us slow down enough to recognize the blessings already present in our lives.
The Act of Slow Living
Slow living isn’t about having a perfect routine or eliminating all of stress.
Life will always be busy, especially during certain seasons (hello motherhood).
Instead, slow living is about being intentional with the time God has given us.
It’s choosing presence over hurry, gratitude over distraction, and peace over constant busyness.
Start small. Pick one of these habits and build from there. You may be surprised by how big of a shift can occur when you simply slow down.
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