Why Slow Living Isn’t Laziness: Embracing Rest and Mindful Choices in a Hustle Culture
Hustle culture, much like cancel culture, removes the human essence—the element of intentionality that makes life meaningful. We’ve become so obsessed with productivity, perfection, and performance that we’ve started living like robots. We cancel people out before giving them a chance, we chase after achievements without pausing to ask if they align with our values, and we rush through our days without ever really being in them.
I don’t want that. I’m tired of people showing up as something they’re not, bending over backward to book every client, attend every event, or say yes to every opportunity. I don’t want to live inauthentically, and I don’t want my life to feel like a never-ending checklist.
What Slow Living Means to Me
Slow living isn’t laziness—it’s intentionality. It’s about being present in the moments that matter. For example, when I’m spending time with people I care about, I don’t want to be glued to my phone, trying to capture every little moment. What happened to “the best moments are never captured, but felt”? Slow living is about feeling those moments. It’s about putting down the phone, lifting up your head, and really being there.
The Mental Shift: Why Slowing Down Feels So Radical
There was a moment when I realized I was spending more time capturing life rather than living it. Whether it was an event, a conversation, or just a quiet moment at home, I noticed I was more focused on documenting it than being present for it.
Slowing down has given me something I didn’t even know I was missing: SPACE. space to breathe, space to think, space to create. I’ve found myself genuinely excited to do things again. I’ve painted more, I’ve read more—and when I say read, I mean actually read… not skim. I’ve been able to sink into the pages of a book without feeling like I needed to rush to the end.
The No Spend Year: A Commitment to Mindful Consumption
Look, I enjoy HomeGoods just as much as the next person. If I’m being honest, my home might as well be sponsored by HomeGoods and TJ Maxx. But here’s the thing: I’ve built a wardrobe I love. I’ve filled my home with pieces that bring me joy. I don’t need more—I need to fully appreciate and use what I already have.
This year, I’m embracing a No Spend Year. No unnecessary shopping, no impulse buys, no adding things to my life just because they’re trendy or on sale. Instead, I’m focusing on reusing, repurposing, and finding joy in what I already own. This ties so deeply into slow living because it’s about fewer distractions and more intention.
SLOW MORNINGS, INTENTIONAL CHOICES
moment’s aren’t just captured, but felt
What Slow Living Looks Like in Everyday Life
Slow living isn’t about quitting your job and moving to a remote cabin in the woods (unless that’s your dream—then go for it!). It’s about making intentional choices in your everyday life:
Enjoying slow mornings with your favorite coffee or tea.
Creating mindful routines that nourish your mind and body.
Finding joy in repurposing what you already have.
Building moments of stillness into your day.
Balancing slow living with my creative and professional ambitions is going to take practice, but I’m learning that productivity doesn’t have to mean constant motion. Sometimes, the most productive thing you can do is rest.
Lessons I’m Already Learning
Even in the early days of this commitment, I’ve noticed a shift. I’m less distracted, less reactive, and more focused. I’m noticing how much of my previous spending wasn’t about need, but about filling some kind of void. I’m also noticing how much more creative I feel when I’m not overstimulated by a never-ending cycle of wanting more.
I know there will be challenges. I’ll be tempted by sales, by trends, by the feeling of wanting something new. But I’m reminding myself that I don’t need to keep up—I just need to keep going.
How You Can Start Embracing Slow Living
If you’re feeling the pull toward slow living, here are a few simple ways you can start:
Start small: Take 10 minutes a day to sit quietly without distractions.
Be intentional with your time: Ask yourself if what you’re doing aligns with your values.
Reflect on your spending habits: Are your purchases bringing value to your life, or are they just filling space?
Practice gratitude: Take time to appreciate what you already have.
Closing Thoughts
Slow living isn’t about doing less—it’s about doing better. It’s about showing up in your life fully, intentionally, and authentically. As I step into this season of slow living and mindful consumption, I’m excited to see how it transforms not just my daily routines, but my perspective on life.
Here’s to slow mornings, intentional choices, and moments that aren’t just captured, but felt.
