One of the ideal lives most of us dream about is living in an idyllic farmhouse away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Imagine being surrounded by nature all the time, living a slower, calmer life with not a worry in the world. Sounds perfect, right? But in reality, many of us can’t leave city life due to our jobs or the convenience of amenities nearby, as well as being closer to our families and friends.
Fortunately for us, we don’t even need to move thousands of miles if we live in the city to experience a simpler, slower, and more relaxed way of life. We can start practicing small steps in our daily lives to make them a bit more in tune with our ideals.
In this post, I’ve listed down some simple but intentional changes to embrace slow living, even if you live in a city. Give it a try and see how it can change your daily life too.
01 Schedule a ‘nothing day’
Once or twice a month, add a full day on your schedule where you don’t have to do anything at all. It may sound radical, I know, with our calendars packed to the brim with appointments and priorities. But it is very important to take a step back once in a while and carve out time just for ourselves. Take a breather, cancel all your appointments, and commit to doing absolutely nothing stressful. You can take a walk outside with no set time or particular destination. Maybe you’ll find a cozy cafe and spend a couple hours people-watching over a warm cup of coffee. This is your day to allow yourself to just be. These ‘nothing day’ can help you recharge a little bit and can make you feel like you had a mini vacation.
02 Spend an afternoon on cafe reading a book
Next time you have a free afternoon, skip the usual rush meetups or hectic shopping and look for hidden cute cafes in your area instead. Find a place where you can enjoy a bit of peace and quiet moment. You’d be surprised at how many cozy spots are tucked away in your area if only you looked more carefully. Grab a good book, order a cappuccino, and maybe a sweet bread, and slow down.
03 Cook meals from scratch
This doesn’t mean to grow your own food, raise your own chicken, or anything. Not at all. But simply cut down on consuming convenience foods and food delivery if you can. There’s nothing more satisfying than making a delicious meal for yourself and your family with your own hands. Not to mention how fulfilling it is to know exactly what’s in your food and make sure it’s nutritious and wholesome. When you’re just a beginner cook, find recipes that are not complex. Start simple. Make a basic pasta dish with a sauce made from fresh tomatoes and fresh herbs. A simple salad with homemade dressing. You could also prepare a hearty vegetable soup made from produce from the local farmer’s market. And as you get more comfortable preparing home meals, you can try baking your own bread or making a batch of homemade granola. Cooking has that magical way of slowing down time and teaching us patience at the same time.
04 Start your every Monday right
Many people dread Mondays. It’s hard not to, especially when they’re packed to the brim with things to do after jolting you right out of your wonderful weekend. I’ve found that a little preparation can make a huge difference. Spend a bit of time on Sunday evening, around 10 minutes, to list the tasks for Monday and the rest of the week. This way, you wouldn’t be caught off guard by a forgotten dentist appointment or a meeting you didn’t remember scheduling. Knowing what’s coming helps to start the week right.
05 Eat your meals slowly
While we may want to rush through meals during a busy day, it is important to prioritize our body’s nourishment. When we eat quickly, we miss out on the benefits of truly enjoying our food. Turn off the TV and put away your phone for a while. There’s nothing more important now than appreciating the food in front of you. Set aside dedicated time for your meals, even if it’s just 20 minutes. Sit at a table instead of eating on the go. Make it a routine to eat without distractions. Finding time to eat more slowly might feel challenging at first, especially if your schedule is always packed. But once you start making it a priority, you’ll be more appreciative of the food you eat. So remember to slow down and savor each bite of your next meal.
READ MORE: 7 Small Japanese Habits to Add in Your Life
06 Try paint by number
Painting can be a wonderful way to slow down and be present in the moment. Even if you don’t consider yourself particularly artistic, why not give paint-by-numbers a try? It’s a relaxing activity that any adult can try. You can spend a few minutes here and there on this project. And it’s not something you have to rush through. You can take your time, working on it little by little whenever you have spare time. You don’t need any special skills or supplies to get started. All you have to do is pick a design that you like, and when you are done painting, you can hang it on your bedroom wall or give it to your friends.
07 Stroll around the library for hours
One of the most underrated spots to hang out in the city is the local library. If you have a library near where you live, you absolutely need to take advantage of it. There’s nothing quite as peaceful as strolling through the aisles, just browsing the shelves, and finding an interesting book title. So head to the library without a specific plan, pick up a book that catches your eye, and find a cozy corner to settle in. It’s time to get lost in a book and completely lose track of time.
08 Set boundaries between your personal time and work time
It’s so easy to let work hours creep into your personal time, but if you want to live more slowly and intentionally, it is important to set a firm boundary. Separating your mental space to signal that work is done for the day can make a huge difference. Start by implementing a no-reading-emails rule after a certain hour or setting a routine that signals the end of work time, like turning off the computer completely by unplugging it. It’s not always easy, and it takes practice. Give yourself some time to adjust. The goal is to become better at disconnecting. Remember, it’s a skill to master, so take your time and don’t beat yourself up if you slip up occasionally.
09 Sit next to your window when it’s raining
When was the last time you took a moment to just savor simple experiences like watching the rain fall? Simple moments like these can easily be overlooked in our busy lives. But when we take the time to appreciate them, they can bring a sense of calm and mindfulness. There are so many moments to appreciate in our daily lives, like a nice walk in the morning, the evening sky, or the laugh of a small child. Even the smell of freshly brewed coffee in the morning can be a lovely experience if you take a moment to really enjoy it.
10 Visit green spaces in your city
Whenever we feel overwhelmed by the fast pace of life, have you noticed that we often wish we were near natural places? I’m talking about parks with lush greenery or a nearby lake with plenty of trees or a botanical garden in your city. So make it a point to visit pockets of nature in your area. You can take a leisurely walk through the park, admire the flowers, or listen to the birds singing. Better yet, pack a picnic and enjoy a meal al fresco with family or friends. Or simply, bring your book and find a quiet spot to sit and read for hours. Spending time in nature can help us slow down life in several ways. For one, it gives us time to disconnect from the constant distractions and noise of the city. Instead of being hit by notifications and endless emails, we can take a moment to breathe and soak in the moment. The fresh air, soothing green colors, and wide open space help us feel more grounded and centered.
11 Play a calming music while cleaning the house
Rushing through our house chores and always thinking about what’s next on our to-do list seem to be part of our nature. You can make simple chores like cleaning the house a more enjoyable and slow-paced experience by playing some calming music. Whenever I clean our living room, I always turn on classical music. Something light and melodic, like a Mozart piano concerto or a Vivaldi string quartet. There’s no distracting lyrics, just heavenly sounds. I find this type of music provides the perfect backdrop for my cleaning routine as well as helps me stay focused and more relaxed.
12 Be mindful of the contents you consume from social media
The constant urge to check our social media feed can leave us feeling anxious, always trying to keep up with the latest trends and updates. I’m not suggesting we ditch using social media altogether. But instead, be mindful of what we consume from it. Limit the time you spend scrolling through your feed each day. Set a specific time you allow yourself to check on your accounts, rather than your usual mindless scroll whenever you have free time.
13 Use evenings for offline activities
There are nights when we all want to just curl up on the couch and binge-watch Netflix for hours on end. But you should instead save those valuable hours for offline activities. Use that time to disconnect from screens and have real-life experiences. Dedicate it to some much-needed me-time or to have a fun bonding moment with your family. Have a fun little game night by playing some board games or cards. Or dedicate it to an offline hobby like knitting or journaling.
14 Have a chat with your family while having tea
There’s nothing more important in the world than spending quality time with your loved ones. Even if your day is packed with work and obligations, make sure to carve out a little time to have a chat and connect with your family. Make a pot of tea or coffee and gather around the table. Set aside all the distracting technologies and talk to them face-to-face. Talk about anything under the sun, like your funny stories, future plans, or reminiscing about fond memories. Having a heartfelt conversation with your family builds deeper connections and adds richness and meaning to our lives.
15 Wash your dishes by hand
If you have a few dishes to clean, try cleaning them by hand. Trust me on this: I actually enjoy washing the dishes because it feels so therapeutic. It can be a simple way to take your mind off things. Washing your dishes by hand can also be a calming break in your day, as it allows you to focus on the present moment. So the next time you finish a meal, instead of automatically loading the dishwasher, just so you can spend time watching television, take a few extra minutes to cherish a simple, everyday chore.