Slow Living: 10 Tips to Start Now to Embrace Simplicity
Do you feel there isn’t enough time in the day to do the 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 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 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.
- 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 and thoughts.
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.
- Walk outdoors
Take time to walk outside daily, even 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 it’s the 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.
- 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.
- Decrease screentime
We all have the same 24 hours each day, yet many spend hours on their phones or watching television. If you notice how many ads appear on screens trying to get you to buy a new product, it is because they promise to 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.
- Start a hobby
Sometimes we start a hobby and later don’t make time for it or don’t enjoy it as much. I suggest making time for the hobby if you enjoy it, or finding 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.
- Practice self-care
Practicing self-care can 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 exercise, skincare, or taking a nap or resting when needed.
- 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.
- Eat Mindfully
While eating, avoid distractions such as 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 near your dining table, open the blinds to let in natural light and enjoy the view.
- 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 so many hours in a day, so if you keep saying yes to everything else, you are not making time for yourself.
You can easily say no and offer to get together on another occasion.
- Embrace minimalism
Minimalism, simple living, and slow living go perfectly together. Minimalism means removing things that do not bring you joy or that you do not use, and keeping only the things you genuinely enjoy.
Simple living means simplifying your life. A capsule wardrobe can lead to less decision fatigue and fewer laundry loads. Meal prepping will save you time and 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, one that prioritizes you and celebrates the season you are in.
Comment below and let me know if you plan to start slow living, and, if so, which tips you plan to implement.