I used to rush from one thing to the next, convinced that if I moved a little faster and squeezed in one more task, life would finally feel manageable. I kept trying every new app, gadget, or so-called time-saving tool, thinking, This is it. This will help me catch up.
Spoiler alert: It never worked.
Instead, I became more frantic. The to-dos piled up, the notifications increased, and the noise grew louder. I ran around so manically, I lost track of what I was racing toward. My life turned into an endless loop of trying to keep up with everything.
Then I began to wonder—why am I rushing? Why do I fill every moment with “productivity” and still feel unaccomplished and unfulfilled?
That’s when I started leaning into something different—something slower, simpler. I didn’t call it “slow living” at the time. I just realized my pace wasn’t working for me. To be honest, it felt uncomfortable at first. I had spent so long believing that slowing down meant doing less, and if I wasn’t busy, I wasn’t enough.
But here’s what I’ve learned: slowing down doesn’t mean you do less. It means you do things with more purpose and presence.
Why Was I in Such a Hurry?
Let’s be real—this world pushes a fast pace. Everywhere you look, the message is clear: do more, buy more, achieve more. If you’re not hustling, you’re falling behind, right?
But that mindset exhausted me. Every day turned into a frantic scramble to check off a never-ending to-do list. Yet, I still felt like I was missing out. The more I crammed into my day, the less I actually enjoyed any of it. I was just getting through it.
And I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to spend my life just “getting through” things. I want to actually live it.
A Shift in Perspective
Change didn’t happen overnight, but I started making small shifts. I didn’t throw out my phone or go off the grid (though that does sound tempting sometimes). Instead, I changed how I approached my daily life. Instead of thinking, What’s next?, I focused on What’s now?
One of the first things I did was give myself permission to do less. That was a big shift for me. I had been so caught up in the idea that I needed to do it all, that it hadn’t even occurred to me that I could just… not.
I started focusing on what actually mattered to me, not what I felt I should be doing. I realized I didn’t need to cram ten things into my day to feel productive. Instead, I focused on fewer things, but with more intention.
Small Changes, Big Impact
Here are some changes that helped me along the way:
- Saying no more often – I used to say yes to everything. Now, I understand how freeing it feels to say no when something doesn’t align with what’s important to me. There’s no rush to please everyone.
- Slowing down meals – This might seem small, but it has made a huge difference. I used to rush through breakfast while scrolling through my phone, barely tasting anything. Now, I sit down, focus on the food, and enjoy it. It’s a simple, daily reminder to slow down.
- Unplugging – I still use my phone and laptop (I’m not that zen), but I’ve set boundaries. I give myself space from constant notifications and emails. The world hasn’t ended, and I feel way less frazzled.
- Appreciating the little things – This was a tough one for me. I used to focus so much on “big goals” that I missed the little moments happening every day. Now, I savor small things like sitting outside with coffee, listening to the birds, or having a conversation without distractions. These moments turn out to be the truly important ones.
- Learning to single-task – For years, I was proud of my multitasking skills. But honestly? It’s overrated. Now, I focus on doing one thing at a time, and I feel much more present. Whether I’m working, cooking, or relaxing, giving my full attention to one task has made a huge difference.
Why Slow Living?
For me, embracing a slower pace isn’t about rejecting modern life. It’s about choosing to live mindfully, rather than letting life rush past me in a blur.
The more I lean into this slower, simpler way of living, the more I realize that I wasn’t missing out by slowing down. In fact, I was missing out by constantly rushing.
We live in a world obsessed with speed—fast food, fast fashion, fast results. But life isn’t a race. When we slow down, we give ourselves a chance to live in the moment instead of constantly chasing the next one.
What’s the Rush?
So, what’s the rush?
Honestly, there isn’t one. At least not for me anymore. I’m still learning and figuring it out as I go, but this shift to simpler, slower living has been one of the best decisions I’ve made for myself. I feel more grounded, present, and less stressed. I’m not cramming my days full anymore, and you know what? I don’t feel like I’m missing out.
In fact, I feel like I’m finally living.
If you’ve ever felt like you’re constantly rushing but not sure why, maybe it’s time to slow down. Trust me, there’s no prize for crossing the finish line first.
The real reward? It’s in the moments you savor along the way.