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Slow Living: 10 Tips to Start Now to Embrace Simplicity

Slow LivingSlow Living: 10 Tips to Start Now to Embrace Simplicity

Do you feel like there is not enough time in the day to do things you enjoy? Are you tired of always being on the go, trying to do everything, and saying yes to all commitments? 

Always being busy makes us feel like we are being productive. But in reality, our anxiety is high, and our mental and physical health are also declining. 

I used to feel the same way. The days and weeks would fly by, and I would realize I had done very little for myself.

That’s when I decided to live a lifestyle I could enjoy daily on my terms, not what everyone else expected from me.

I live a lifestyle that brings me peace and calm daily and allows me to embrace simplicity. 

Slow living is all about this, and I encourage you to embrace it now to live a life you can truly enjoy.

What is slow living?

Slow living, a concept that has existed for years, is about living at a slower pace and being more mindful in our daily lives. It’s about focusing on one task at a time and valuing quality over quantity. 

This mindset helps us align our lives with what truly matters to us, bringing balance, sanity, and low stress to our choices.

It’s not about adding more to our already busy lives but about simplifying and finding joy in the present moment.

10 Slow living tips to live a simpler life

Slow living is not a complicated philosophy but a simple and mindful way of living. It’s about appreciating what we have and the people around us. 

Here are ten easy-to-implement slow-living tips that can start transforming your life today.

  1. Practice mindfulness

From the moment we wake up, we first grab our phone and check messages, scroll on social media, or think about what needs to get done or what we will do. 

Instead, try to be more mindful during your day. 

Mindfulness is fully present and engaged in the current moment, acknowledging and accepting your feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations. 

For instance, when you wake up, stretch and take a moment to appreciate the beauty of the morning.

While brushing your teeth, focus on the sensation of the bristles against your teeth and the taste of the toothpaste rather than planning your day. 

When making meals, turn off devices that make noise, like the television, and focus on the smells, tastes, and textures of the food you’re preparing. This way, you can be in the moment while making a homemade meal.

  1. Walk outdoors

Take the time to walk outside daily, even if it’s for 10-15 minutes. Slowly increase the time, and you could use walking as cardio. There are many benefits to walking outside. 

For example, you will be out enjoying nature and can practice mindfulness. This will help you sleep better and reduce anxiety. 

Whether first thing in the morning or an evening walk, it will instantly improve your mood.

Read my 5 Benefits of a Morning Routine Plus 10 Simple Ideas to Start Now.

  1. Do not disturb

It may be hard for some to set their phones on Do Not Disturb due to work or caring for a loved one. But if you can, try to put your phone on Do Not Disturb for a few hours a day, maybe in the mornings and while enjoying mealtime with family. 

Setting your phone on Do Not Disturb can help you create alone time and enjoy meals without distractions, allowing you to be in the moment.

  1. Decrease screentime

We all have the same 24 hours daily, and many spend hours on their phone screens or watching television. If you notice how many ads come out on screens trying to get you to buy a new product because it will make your life much more accessible or better. 

This can make you feel like you are missing out and down on yourself for not having that product. It can also make you make a purchase that you did not need.

Instead of spending time on screens, try to do something more valuable with your time. You can read a book while enjoying a beverage or sit outdoors when the weather permits.

Two of my favorite books, which I highly recommend and have helped me value my time over chasing material possessions, are Things That Matter: Overcoming Distractions to Pursue a More Meaningful Life by Joshua Becker and Love People, Use Things: Because the Opposite Never Works by The Minimalist, Joshua Fields Millburn, and Ryan Nicodemus.  

  1. Start a hobby

Sometimes, we start a hobby and later do not make time for it or don’t enjoy it as much. I suggest making time for the hobby if you enjoy it or find one you will enjoy. 

I used to enjoy bullet journaling, but when I had my baby, I found it easier to go back to using a planner, which is okay. Maybe I can start bullet journaling again when she is a little older. 

Now, I enjoy trying to keep my plants alive. I only have a few plants, and when I can care for these, I hope to add more.

  1. Practice self-care

Practicing self-care may be a little complicated since, often, making time for ourselves is the last thing we do. As a mother, you can even feel guilty about taking the time away from your little ones. 

However, taking a little time daily to practice self-care benefits your mental and physical health. There are plenty of ways to practice self-care, such as some form of exercise, skincare, or even taking a nap or resting when needed. 

  1. Prioritize sleep

It would be best to try to determine precisely how many hours of sleep you need to wake up feeling rested. When you know how many hours of sleep you need, you know when you should be asleep. 

Start your nighttime routine one hour before your sleep time. This will help to let your body know you are winding down and getting ready for sleep. 

This can include avoiding screen time, reading a book, drinking a calming hot tea, or using essential oils like lavender.

Slow living. A female sleeping on a bed. Her head on a pillow.

  1. Eat Mindfully

While eating your meals, avoid distractions like watching television. Take the time to enjoy your food; if you’re eating with someone, enjoy the company. 

Avoid scrolling on your phone or watching videos. If you have a window close to your dining table, open the blinds to let natural light in and enjoy the view outside.

  1. Say “no” to commitments

This one can be hard since you can feel bad saying no. It is not that you are saying no to the event or the person. It is that you are saying yes to something else. 

For example, you say no to a get-together because you are saying yes to making time for your hobby. There are only a certain amount of hours in a day, so if you keep saying yes to everything else, you are not making time to do things for yourself. 

You can easily say no and offer to get together on another occasion.

  1. Embrace minimalism

Minimalism, simple living, and slow living go perfectly together. Minimalism means removing things or items that do not bring you joy or that you do not use and only having items or doing things you genuinely enjoy. 

Simple living means doing things to simplify your life. A capsule wardrobe can lead to less decision fatigue and fewer loads of laundry. Meal prepping will save you time and money. With this minimalism, you will also value time over money.  

Related posts

10 Benefits of a Minimalist Lifestyle to Enjoy a Simplified Life

Embrace Simplicity: 10 Simple Morning Habits to Transform Your Life

Final thoughts

These are a few tips you could implement to start a slow-living lifestyle. Make time to do things you want and enjoy and be in the moment. 

Do not think about what else you need to do or buy; instead, be grateful for what you have and what you do. 

Enjoy your day-to-day instead of planning or working for the weekend. Create a life you look forward to that includes prioritizing yourself and enjoying the season you are in.  

Comment below and let me know if you plan to start slow living and, if so, which tips you will implement.