When we think of a slow living daily routine, we often imagine a life free from responsibilities — no deadlines, no stress, no rushing. But the truth is, a slow living daily routine isn’t about escaping real life. It’s about meeting it with more presence, more intention, and more grace.
Living slowly is a daily choice. It’s an invitation to experience life fully, to value the process as much as the outcome. Today, I’d love to walk you through what a slow day might actually look like — not a perfect one, but a mindful one.
Morning: Starting Your Slow Living Daily Routine with Intention
- I wake up around 8:30, without a harsh alarm — At this point in my life, this happens naturally, due to years and years of habit.
- Before reaching for my phone, I greet my cats who are eager for attention, then I open the curtains and take 1 minute to contemplate what the weather is like. In a few seconds I mentally thank for the weather today, whatever it may be.
- From there, I begin my morning organization routine, which includes making the bed, personal hygiene, feeding the cats, and opening the remaining curtains in the house. All of this without distractions from videos, podcasts, or background music, just mindful action. This works for me like meditation. If you need background music to start your day, do it! But be careful not to overdo it within minutes of waking up.
- When I sit down to have breakfast, I often check my phone and play a video in the background. If your day is full of stimuli and/or stress, it might be a good idea to enjoy your morning coffee without distractions. Notice the sounds that are naturally occurring around you and use this as a small moment of peace before your day begins.
- Before diving into the day, I spend 10 minutes writing down the things I should/want to do during the day. If you enjoy journaling, this might be a good time to do so.
Afternoon: Working with Presence in Your Slow Living Daily Routine
- I focus on what matters most at work, instead of getting lost in a never-ending to-do list. I make sure that when I’m talking to someone, my full attention is on that person.
- Every hour, I take small mindful breaks — a quick stretch, a breath by the window, a moment of stillness.
- Lunch is screen-free. I sit by a sunny window and eat slowly, savoring each bite. Note that on my days off, my lunches are not screen-free. The screen is not the villain, but rather the excess of stimuli that may be causing anxiety or preventing you from having moments of silence and reflection.
Evening: Slowing Down and Nourishing the Spirit
- I turn off my computer early and spend the evening in slow, nourishing activities — maybe a quiet walk or tending to my plants.
- I cook a simple but thoughtful dinner — a warm soup or a favorite family recipe. Do I cook dinner every night? No. There are those days that are so tiring that the body simply asks for rest. The important thing is to try to build the habit of cooking dinner because it helps me to live a slower life. It is important to recognize if our days of exhaustion are more frequent than our days of willingness. See how being present in what is happening in your routine can help you reflect on whether there is something you can do to change your quality of life, not in a monetary way, but in terms of self-awareness and mental health.
- After 10pm, I unplug from screens and wind down with a warm shower, music, a good book or even with household chores, like folding laundry.
- Before bed, I do a short guided meditation and give thanks for the day — letting go of what didn’t fit into it, and knowing that’s okay.
Conclusion: Embracing Your Own Slow Living Daily Routine
Your routine doesn’t have to be perfect — and it definitely doesn’t have to be final. It can change as often as needed until you find a rhythm that feels like a true balance between real life and a slower, more intentional way of living.
Just as toxic habits can follow us for years, quietly shaping our lives in harmful ways, healthy habits have the power to do the opposite. They can gently transform how we experience our days, shifting our perspective and bringing unexpected benefits into every area of life.
That’s what The Slow Living Way is all about: not doing everything slowly, but doing everything consciously. Being present. Choosing with care. And remembering that even small, mindful changes can lead to a life that feels more aligned, more grounded, and more your own.
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