7 Slow Living Habits That Changed My Life
In 2021, I launched a new blog while working full-time. I also had a baby, a home to run, and meals to cook. My days blended together, and I had zero time for myself. No exercise, no rest, no space to breathe.
Eventually, my body gave up. I was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition, and the dizziness that followed stayed with me for almost two years.
That was my wake-up call.
Something had to change. So over the next few years, I started slowing down and rebuilding my life one small habit at a time.
These 7 slow living habits didn’t just help me feel better; they brought back my energy, my clarity, and my joy. They’re simple, grounding, and completely doable, even if your life feels chaotic. Let’s dive in.
Slow living habits that will help you change
Being offline
It’s strange that almost every piece of wellness advice now begins with the same sentence: “You need to turn off your phone.”
But it’s true.
When I removed my phone from my morning and evening routines, everything shifted.
Here’s what changed almost immediately:
- I suddenly had time for a real breakfast and a short workout.
- My sleep improved because my mind wasn’t overstimulated before bed.
- I had more space for friends, reading, and actual conversations.
- I stopped buying random things I didn’t need because I wasn’t being pushed by trends and influencers.
Being offline changed my life in the most profound way. It helped me feel much more present, calm, and in control of my time.
Having a proper morning routine
Getting up early and having a real morning routine changed my life more than I expected.
When you roll out of bed and rush straight out the door, you start the day stressed. And usually, the rest of the day follows that same pace.
But when you wake up early, everything slows down. You have time to move your body, eat a proper breakfast, breathe, and ease into your day instead of fighting it.
For me, mornings are when I need to do the most important tasks. That means exercising, writing, and checking my schedule. If I leave exercise for later, it simply won’t happen. I know myself.
So try this: wake up a little earlier and handle your most important tasks first.
Two things happen:
- You get key things done before the day pulls you in a hundred directions.
- You start the day with a boost of confidence and productivity that stays with you for hours.
A calm, intentional morning sets the tone for everything that follows.
Taking a morning walk
I’ll be honest, I don’t manage to do this every single morning. But whenever I do, the effect is instant.
I feel awake, energised, and refreshed. My mind is calmer, and I’m ready to sit down and work without feeling scattered.
On the other hand, if I stay all day indoors, I feel the opposite: tired, foggy, moody, and usually with a headache.
A short morning walk, even 10–15 minutes, changes everything. If you can fit it into your routine, it will shift your energy, your mood, and the mindset you bring into the rest of your day.
Journaling a little every day
Journaling is one of the most powerful slow living habits I’ve added to my routine.
It gives you a moment to sit still, reflect on your day, and actually notice what’s going on in your life. And if you practice gratitude journaling, it shifts your attention toward what’s good — the things you already have but often overlook.
Every morning, I write down three things I’m grateful for. It takes less than a minute, but it sets the tone for my whole day. It reminds me that even in busy seasons, there is always something positive to hold on to.
Right now, I’m also doing Morning Pages from The Artist’s Way. It’s a simple exercise: you sit down and write whatever is on your mind — your worries, your ideas, your frustrations. When I’m done, I always feel lighter, as if I just talked things out with a friend.
Journaling truly slows you down. It helps you process your emotions, stay grounded, and become more aware of what actually matters in your daily life.
Finding beauty in the smallest things
I used to rush through my days without really seeing anything. Everything felt fast, busy, and blurry — and I rarely noticed the small, beautiful moments happening right in front of me.
Reading The Power of Now changed that. When I started practising presence, I suddenly became aware of the world around me again.
I noticed the sunrise through my window.
The way my cat stretches when she wakes up.
The sound of the wind outside.
Tiny moments that were always there, but I never paid attention to them.
When you slow down and stay present, your mind opens up. You start to register details, beauty, and small joys you’ve ignored for years. It feels like waking up — seeing your life with fresh eyes and appreciating the simple things that make every day meaningful.
Reading in the evening
I used to read a lot when I was younger. Books were my escape. But as adulthood slowly crept in (work, responsibilities, motherhood) reading became the first thing I let go of.
Last year, I promised myself I would bring it back. And honestly, it’s one of the most meaningful slow living habits I’ve reintroduced.
Reading has the power to calm your mind, widen your horizons, spark new ideas, and enrich your life in ways you don’t expect. It feels like opening a window in a stuffy room, suddenly there’s fresh air, new thoughts, new perspectives.
And if nothing else, reading before bed helps you sleep like a baby.
It pulls you out of your phone, quiets your mind, and signals to your body that it’s time to rest.
A few pages a day is all it takes; you don’t have to dedicate hours to reading.
Reading the right books helped me work on my habits, improve my health, mindset and relationships. And the growth I experienced is huge.
Taking care of my home
I used to dread chores. Even now, cleaning is not my favourite activity. But this year, I realized something important: taking care of your home is a form of taking care of yourself.
You can’t feel calm or focused when you’re sitting in a cluttered, dusty room. Your home affects your mood, your energy, and even how you show up in the world.
When you declutter, clean, and create order, you’re not just organizing a space, you’re creating an environment that supports you.
I started treating home care as a small daily ritual instead of a chore. I try to be present while I clean, put things back in their place, or prepare the space for the evening.
And one more thing: try not to focus on the imperfections: the scratches on the floor, the stains on the wall, the things you wish you could upgrade.
Look beyond them. Look at the warmth, the memories, the life this home has held for you. When you shift your perspective, your home becomes not a project to fix, but a place that supports you every single day.
Final thoughts
Slow living isn’t about doing everything perfectly or adding a long list of rules to your day. It’s about small, intentional choices that help you feel calmer, more present, and more connected to yourself and your life.
The 7 habits I’ve shared have transformed the way I experience each day. They brought me clarity, energy, and joy that I didn’t even realize I was missing.
Start small. Pick one habit that feels doable today, and slowly build from there. Over time, these small, mindful practices add up to a life that feels richer, calmer, and more meaningful.
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