What Is "Slow Living"?
I have to be honest – every fall, I have a hard time transitioning from summer mode, soaking up family and nature time in Wyoming landscapes, into the hustle and bustle of back-to-work-and-school mode in Dallas.
This past year, as I struggled to shift my mindset to accept and embrace this new season of life, I received this timely article from a client that resonated deeply with my desire to carry vacation-mode wellness into everyday life. It put a name to the shift I've been feeling to do less and savor life more: slow living.
Slow living isn't about moving at a snail's pace. It's about intentionally prioritizing what truly matters - health, relationships, and connection to nature. It's about pushing back against the relentless pressure of productivity that often defines our modern life.
Here are some tips I’m using to embrace slow living, even amidst the back-to-school rush and escalating work commitments:
- Schedule 'nature breaks': Short walks outside or tending to plants in your home or office can help. Even though Dallas doesn’t have the Teton Mountains, I visit local nature preserves for early morning hikes at least once a month.
- Prioritize family time: Block out device-free hours for meaningful interactions. Our family has device-free time at and after dinner so we can debrief the day together.
- Practice mindful work: Focus on quality over quantity. Every week, I aim for at least a few dedicated deep work blocks of 45-90 minutes without interruptions.
- Embrace rest: As Jenny Odell reminds us, rest isn't a luxury - it's a necessity. I’ve been doing daily afternoon deep rest meditations to restore my energy for the evening.
- Let go of perfectionism: Oliver Burkeman suggests focusing on what truly matters, not completing endless to-do lists. I personally journal every day on my “Top 3” tasks to keep the most important things in perspective.
Slow living is as much a mindset shift as a change in habits. It's about keeping health and wellness primary, with work serving as a means for income, purpose, and connection, but never overshadowing our intention of living a full, balanced life.
Will you join me in this journey of slow living? Let's challenge ourselves to find moments of calm in the chaos, to prioritize what truly matters, and to resist the urge to constantly "do" at the expense of simply "being."
Here's to finding our mountain lake moments, even in the heart of the city.
Written by Dorsey Standish, Mastermind CEO