Something I’ve been struggling with ever since I left uni is this question: how do I slow down time? When I was in college, slow living was something I practised without even realising. Life felt naturally structured and slow; from spring break to summer holidays, all the way through to Christmas. It always seemed like there was something to look forward to.
Moreover, things like cancelled classes or study weeks only amplified that sense of freedom. And perhaps most importantly of all, my friends and I were living in exactly the same rhythm. We studied together, suffered through difficult exams together, and celebrated together before moving towards the next holiday.
The Shock After Student Life
I don’t think life prepares young people enough for the shift that comes after graduation. Suddenly, that built-in rhythm disappears. Some people might not miss it, maybe they even found the pressure of exams, tight budgets, and self-discipline exhausting. But for me, it was brilliant. I loved the independence, the self-direction, and the constant sense of progress and reward.
When I entered working life, I realised I’d lost that structure and with it, a sense of slow living. Ever since then, I’ve been searching for ways to recapture that feeling of freedom, leisure, and calm. It took me a few years to figure out, but I’ve now found several ways that genuinely help me slow down time again. Here are the ones that changed the most for me.
1. Slow Mornings
For a long time, I believed that sleeping as long as possible was the best way to feel rested. If I went to bed late, I’d simply sleep in as much as possible to get close to those magical eight hours of sleep. But after some experimenting, I discovered that while sleep is crucial, how you start your morning matters even more.
A slow morning changed everything for me. When I started getting up earlier, not to work more but to live more, I noticed my whole day felt calmer. My mood was lighter, my thoughts clearer, and that grounded feeling often stayed with me until evening. Eventually, I added short meditations using the Headspace app or a quick yoga session with my boyfriend. Within two weeks, I could feel the difference. Just a moment of relaxation in the morning, eating your breakfast slowly and not rushing truly sets the tone for the day.
2. Reclaim Your Day
I unfortunately cannot remember where I first came across this concept but the concept that really shifted my mindset is something called: reclaim your day. Work can easily dominate your schedule, but you needn’t forget that your life still belongs to you, even on workdays. Reclaiming your day means doing something, however small, that makes it feel like yours. That could be preparing your favourite lunch, wearing a special outfit, or starting the morning with a coffee corner moment with your partner. On days when I have more time, I’ll practise this concept by planning a cosy movie night with homemade popcorn and candles, or a longer walk through the parc nearby. Whatever you choose, these small rituals shift the focus back to you, turning a regular workday into something personal and meaningful.
3. Purposeful Evenings
After a long day, it’s tempting to sink into the sofa and binge-watch Netflix. Sometimes, that’s exactly what you need, but I’ve realised that when I do this for hours, I end up feeling numb rather than recharged. Now, I aim for a clear cut-off point. After one episode (or a couple more, if it’s a Friday), I switch gears. Sometimes I’ll play the piano, sometimes I’ll do something kind for my future self. An example of the latter is our new concept of the “evening reset”, where we quickly tidy the house so we can start fresh in the morning. It’s not about perfection; it’s about ending the day with intention.
4. Prioritising Self-Care
Ironically, when I feel tired or overwhelmed, the first things I tend to skip are the ones that would help most; exercise, cooking healthy meals or my skincare routine.But I’ve learned that neglecting self-care only makes things worse. It’s not always about taking things off your plate; sometimes it’s about giving yourself the tools to handle them better, if that makes sense.
These moments of self-care create breathing space. They’re not ony luxuries. These moment of self-care re-anchor yourself, restore balance and add texture to your days. In that regard, they can be labelled as cornerstones for your “slow living” intentions.
5. Moments of Connection and Gratitude
It’s easy to lose sight of what’s going well or the people who make life richer, when you’re busy. That’s why I try to schedule small moments of connection, whether that’s dinner with a friend or a quiet evening with my partner. During those moments, I can literally feel time slowing down. They recharge me in a way that no amount of Netflix ever could.
And yes, everyone says it, but practising gratitude truly works. Writing down three small things you’re grateful for every day reshapes the way your brain processes happiness. Over time, you start noticing joy more easily.
6. Calming Your Body
Slow living isn’t possible when your body is in constant fight-or-flight mode. The simplest and maybe even most effective way to slow down life is to literally slow down your movements and your speech. A few times a day, I pause and check in with myself: Am I tense? Am I rushing? Then I consciously relax my shoulders, slow my breathing, and continue at half the speed. It’s amazing how quickly your mind follows when your body leads.
7. Explore New Perspectives
Finally, something that helped me anchor the slow-living mindset was reading about it. Sometimes, all you need is a gentle nudge from someone else’s words. Books like The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down and Love for Imperfect Things by Haemin Sunim gave me that. I’d read just a few pages each night, letting the words sink in slowly. The books is largely made up of quotes, so it doesn’t work if you are planning to read to book in one go.
Slow down time
These seven habits helped me slow my life down and, more importantly, made it feel mine again. You don’t need to start all at once; even one small shift can make a difference. Slow living isn’t about doing everything perfectly. It’s about giving yourself permission to breathe, to be present, and to enjoy the simple rhythm of everyday life.
So start small, be gentle with yourself, and have fun rediscovering time.