I like to remind myself that most things in life are a choice, even when it doesn’t feel that way in the moment. The trick is that the moment of choice may occur long before the moment of the result. It’s sort of like trying to bring your vehicle to an immediate stop from a high speed—the choice to drive over the speed limit was made before the result, and now you’re stuck with the consequences.
The upside, on the other hand, is that most people underestimate how much they can really get out of life if they are willing to prioritize some things over others. I value a slower life because it allows me to spend more quality time with the people I love. As a result, I’m willing to accept that certain things, such as staying up too late, always being on my phone, or trying to cram too many things into my day, are the enemy of that goal.
If you also value a slower life, then I would encourage you to let go of the illusion that anyone will make that happen for you. A slower life without rushing is within your reach; you just have to choose it.
5 Tips for a Slower-Paced Life
Want to stop and smell the roses? Here are some practices that have worked in my own life and for the people I know best:
1. Wake Before You Have to
The easiest way to have more time in your day is to start with a large buffer. An earlier-than-needed wake-up means you can enjoy a leisurely start to your morning. Whether you fill that time with a warm drink, a slow read, or a few gentle chores, I’m sure you’ll enjoy the pleasant feeling that you’re getting out in front of the day rather than chasing from behind.
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2. Leave Early So You Can Take Your Time
In the same spirit, waking early means leaving your house early whenever you need to be somewhere. I’ll be honest that this isn’t a strength of mine, but a benefit I enjoy because of my wife. With her enthusiasm, we show up early for church on Sunday mornings, enjoy a little extra time to catch up with our friends, and, when the service begins, we’re in a better state of mind to be fully present.
3. Do One Thing at a Time and Finish It
One way to make time feel slower is to dial in your focus on the task at hand. Jumping from one thing to another makes the day choppy and breaks your attention into bite-sized chunks. You feel rushed even though you probably get less done. This may be one example where slowing down has very little negative trade-off.
4. Make Space for Quiet Moments in Your Daily Routine
Very rarely in this world do we get to soak up long periods of solitude. In the past, I would listen to podcasts any chance I got—whether that was in the car, on a walk, or while doing chores. I later learned that I was robbing my brain of the chance to fully process my day’s experiences. Now I use my morning walks just to let my brain gently process life or drift in any direction it wants. It’s often surprising where these subconscious thoughts end up taking me.
5. Go to Bed Without Having Checked Everything Off Your List
This might be the hardest practice on this list, because it challenges one of the core values of our society: productivity. While I believe in pushing yourself to do hard things and striving for excellence, that logic has its limits. For most people, the limit is whatever point is just out of their reach. We always want to do more than we can, so we’re never content with the work we do achieve. Do your best, and go to bed knowing there’s good work waiting for you tomorrow.
While I started with a bit of tough love—a reminder that there are no free lunches in life—I end on an encouraging note. By deciding what you value most and concentrating all your efforts on pursuing those things, you will develop superpowers in comparison to the people around you. Life doesn’t have to be a whirlwind that rushes by and leaves you feeling stretched thin—you can choose a slower, more satisfying pace starting today, a choice that is up to you and you alone.
