The Rise of Slow Living
It feels like everything nowadays has to be bigger, better, and faster. But what would it be like to do less, slow down, to step away from the noise. Enter: slow living.
It seems to have arisen as a response to the modern way of life glorifying consumption. Against popular belief, slow living isn’t about abandoning ambition or rejecting progress. It’s about reevaluating what we value and how we spend our time. And by many accounts it’s gaining momentum—not because it’s trendy (although many influencers seem to be showing off romanticised ideas of what they say is slow living) but because we’re all a little exhausted.
What Is Slow Living?
At its core, slow living is a lifestyle that prioritises intentionality. I know I feel happier when I cut out the crap and focus on the things that are important to me. It’s not about living in the middle of nowhere or cutting ties with technology—it’s about making conscious choices to live in alignment with what truly matters to you, to allow you to craft a life you’re proud of.
It’s the opposite of hustle culture. Instead of wearing busyness as a badge of honour, slow living seems to ask:
• Why are we rushing?
• What are we rushing toward?
• And is it even worth it?
Why the World Needs to Slow Down
The pace of life nowadays with all its responsibilities and superficial connections is relentless. We’re inundated with information, deadlines, and expectations. Burnout has become so common it’s almost normalised. But faster doesn’t always mean better.
• Health: Constant stress wreaks havoc on our physical and mental health. Slow living offers space to rest, recharge, and reconnect.
• Creativity: Creativity thrives in moments of stillness. When you slow down, you give your mind the freedom to wander and dream and write.
• Connection: Rushing through life often means missing out on meaningful moments with loved ones. Slow living invites deeper connection and presence.
What Slow Living Looks Like
Slow living isn’t one-size-fits-all—it can look different for everyone. Here are some ways it’s fit into my own life:
• Simplifying my schedule: Saying no to things that don’t align with my priorities.
• Mindful consumption: Thinking twice before buying something new or rushing into trends.
• Quality over quantity: Choosing deeper relationships, fewer possessions, and richer experiences.
• Embracing slowness: Taking time to cook from scratch, read a book, or just sitting outside with my dog and taking a breath.
Why Slow Living Is the Next Big Thing
At its core I think slow living taps into something we’re all craving: meaning.
By opting out of the rat race, we challenge the systems that profit from our busyness. We choose to value time over money, relationships over status, and joy over constant striving.
And here’s the irony: by slowing down, we actually create space for growth. We have time to think, to create, to live in a way that feels authentic rather than reactive.
