Have you heard about living more simply and been intrigued? Has slowing down your life been on your radar but you just don’t know where to begin? Don’t worry – I’ve got you because I have been there too. Life in this modern world is busy, it’s bright, it’s always on, and sometimes we don’t necessarily know how to begin to slow our lives down.
A common question, or statement, I hear when I talk about slow and simple living is that people feel they can’t do it because they have a 9-5 job or they live what they consider to be a busy life. They have this idea of what it is ‘supposed’ to look like and feel like it’s completely unattainable for them. Slow and simple living isn’t about never being busy, or not having those demands that sometimes seem like a lot. Instead, it is about finding ways in our already established lives to create slow and simple rhythms that help us create a more intentional life for ourselves.
What if I told you that whatever your life looks like there are things you can do to start to put slow and simple living in motion? These go-to slow and simple living tips will help you re-evaluate what busy means to you and help you implement areas of slowing down and simplicity in your life. Whatever that looks like in your life, these tips will help you live more intentionally, starting today.
Leave hustle culture behind
Leaving a multi-level marketing company and the onset of the global pandemic provided the perfect opportunity for me to reassess my life and fully embrace the art of slowing down. While the pandemic brought about immense challenges, it also granted our family the chance to reconsider our priorities and the way we choose to live. It was during those initial lockdown days that I first delved into the world of slow living. As we adapted to a life where work took place within the comforting confines of our home, I often found myself standing on my balcony, gazing out at a world in turmoil, and pondering the mysteries of the outside world. This practice still resonates with me today.
Many aspects of slow living had already found their way into our lives, but this period marked the beginning of a profound transformation. As the world gradually reopened, I realised that I was in no rush to return to the fast-paced routines of the past. The significance of many things had shifted in my perspective, and I found solace in embracing a simpler, more intentional way of life.
When you finally feel ready to leave hustle culture behind and embrace a slower, more intentional way of living, you can start by identifying your why. Ask yourself why you want to make this change and what truly matters to you. Is it more time with your family? Do you want to pursue a passion? Or do you just want to create a better balance in your life? When you start to pinpoint your motivations you will have a better idea of how to make decisions that align with your values. Your why will then become your anchor in this busy world, constantly reminding you of the path you want to take toward a more fulfilling and meaningful life.
Declutter your space and mind
When we think about decluttering we often think about tidying up and minimising our physical surroundings, but it is also a powerful practice that can extend to your mental landscape too. When you clear out the excess of the physical possessions that no longer serve you, you create room for mental clarity and peace. The act of decluttering becomes a metaphor for letting go of mental burdens, unnecessary worries, and distractions. As you simplify your physical space, you’ll often find that your mind follows suit, becoming less cluttered and more focused. It’s a beautiful synergy between our external environment and internal wellbeing, where the art of decluttering paves the way for a simpler, more intentional way of living.
Decluttering your physical space and sometimes seem overwhelming, so start with a small, manageable area like a single drawer, shelf, or even your workspace. When you tackle a small space you start to accumulate small wins which will help your sense of accomplishment and motivate you to keep going. As you begin to declutter your physical space, pay attention to the sense of lightness and clarity it brings. This physical transformation so often leads to a mental one, which inspires you to re-evaluate clutter across your entire life. You can download my decluttering checklists from my shop here.
Nourish your wellbeing through mindful living
When you nourish your own wellbeing you start a holistic journey that starts with the practice of mindful living. It’s about being fully present in many of life’s moments, savouring the simplicity of lifes simple pleasure, and finding a balance in a world that can feel overwhelming as it encourages constant busyness. Mindful living isn’t a trend, it is a way to connect deeply with your inner self and the world around you. By practicing mindfulness you are better able to cultivate an awareness whereby you are better able to make conscious choices that along with your true values and desires.
When people hear the word Mindfulness they often think it requires sitting for hours, with a blank mind, in a meditative state, and therefore immediately dismiss it out of hand as something they don’t have time for. Incorporating mindfulness into your life doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing endeavor. Instead, you can choose just one small mindful activity that resonates with you. It could be mindful breathing, a short meditation, or enjoying a tea or coffee without interruptions: anything that feels manageable for you. When you start with one practice you can slowly ease yourself into the concept of mindfulness and how you can weave them into your daily routine. Every small step that you take will help contribute to your wellbeing and help you integrate slow and simple living into your everyday life.
How you can start to embrace Slow & Simple Living in your own life
Are you yearning to hit the brakes and embrace a slower, more intentional way of living, but you’re unsure of where to begin? I’ve crafted this delightful freebie just for you, designed to kickstart your journey into the world of slow & simple living. It’s packed with practical tips to help you infuse slowness into every facet of your daily life.
So there you have it! My go-to ways to help you start to embrace that slow and simple lifestyle you’ve been thinking of but haven’t had a clue where to start. Are you ready to embark on a journey of understanding what slow and simple living truly means and how to infuse it into your own life? Don’t forget to download the Slow & Simple Living Guide above. Also be sure to check out The Slow Living Collective Podcast where we unravel the essence of slow and simple living in our weekly episodes, providing practical steps and holding space for you to begin your transformative journey towards a more intentional and fulfilling life.