Slow Living Invitation

Today’s Reflection

Slow living – something so many of us are seeking in our modern, fast-paced, always-plugged-in society. But in a culture obsessed with optimization, productivity and perpetual motion, what does it actually look like to live slowly? How do we reframe our days – and our identity?

I believe slow living is a deeply personal concept (and soul pursuit) and doesn’t have one clear definition – it’s unique to each person on this path. For some, it may mean creating more margin and spaciousness in your schedule. For others, it could look like decluttering, downsizing or moving closer to nature. And for others still, it might involve reconnecting to rhythms, real food or authentic, connective relationships. The first step of cultivating slow living is defining it for yourself and for your family. 

But before we take that first step towards slow living, it’s important to reflect: Why do we want to slow down? Is it desire? Different priorities? Desperation? Burnout? Exhaustion? Healing? 

True slow living begins not with an aesthetic or a list of to-dos – but with honest reflection. What is working in your life right now? What isn’t? What is your body, your heart, your spirit needing?

Slowing down doesn’t have to mean a huge overhaul or uprooting everything. Sometimes, it’s just some small, intentional shifts – rearranging your routines, adjusting your spending or releasing unhelpful habits or thought patterns. 

But if we’ve been hustling or running for a really long time, establishing a slower pace in life may take time. Just like forming any new habit, slowing down takes practice and patience – it requires consistency, commitment and compassion. 

And here’s the deeper truth: To help create a slower pace in our external lives, it’s vital to cultivate a slower life on the inside.

Because even when we simplify our schedules or move to the middle of nowhere, those inner voices – the ones whispering that we’re not doing enough, not productive enough, not fill-in-the-blank enough – can still persist (and honestly, might become even louder as we create more margin to listen). The unspoken pressures we absorb from culture, social media or our own expectations don’t just vanish because we change our environment.

This inward slowing down may take more intention and dedication than any outward shift – even more than saying no to another invite or planting a garden – but will be the most profound and impactful for living a life that’s truly aligned.

While many of us are experiencing the pull to slow down, it looks different for each of us. And however slow living unfolds for you, I believe at its core, it’s simply about becoming more alive – more awake to the world within you and around you, more aligned with your values and vision for life, and more connected to the people with you on this path. 

In a world that endlessly and tirelessly seeks “more,” slow living offers a sustainable, beautiful rebellion. As we stop “doing” more, may we finally rediscover the abundant life of being “more”.

Today’s Ritual

Today’s ritual blends breath prayers and journal prompts to help reorient your pace and ground you back into your body, your breath, and what matters most. Slow living begins not just with your schedule, but with your inner rhythms. Let your body soften, your mind settle and your nervous system begin to downshift.

Inhale: I am allowed to slow down.
Exhale: I release the rush.
Inhale: I create space within.
Exhale: My presence is enough.

Where in my life do I feel hurried or overwhelmed?
What does “slow living” look like for me right now?
How can I honor my values in one small way today?
What can I release to create more connection and peace?

May today’s reflection gently remind you of the beauty found in slowing down and simply being – and that cultivating a more aligned way of living is not only a worthwhile pursuit, but one you are deeply worthy of.

Courtney xx