Book Review: Destination Simple: Everyday Rituals for a Slower Life

As I continue to learn more about slow living, I came across the book Destination Simple: Everyday Rituals for a Slower Life by Brooke McAlary—a book so small in size yet packed with powerful insights. It distills slow living into its simplest form, offering practical ways to create a life that feels more intentional and present.  

The book is structured into three key sections:

• Rituals – Five foundational habits to anchor your days.  
• Rhythms – Establishing morning and evening routines to create flow.  
• Checking In – Letting go of the myth of perfect balance and embracing "tilting."  

One concept that really stood out to me was tilting: the idea that life isn’t about maintaining a perfect balance at all times. Instead, it’s about shifting energy where it’s needed most and accepting that some areas of life will naturally take priority over others at different times.  

McAlary explains it well:  

Tilting is about being aware of the changing pressures of life and being flexible… rejecting the idea that everything needs to be perfectly balanced.

For example, when work demands more of my energy, I can tilt towards simplifying meals, light home duties, and maintaining my most essential rhythms rather than expecting everything to stay perfectly even.  

Key Takeaways:  

• Single-Tasking as a Form of Presence:  McAlary’s idea of single-tasking isn’t just about focusing on one task at a time—it’s about being fully present in the moment. Instead of trying to integrate this throughout my entire day, I’m starting small. For the next two weeks, I’ll intentionally choose one single task per day to focus on fully. Yesterday, it was simply petting my dog, Cooper, without distraction. Today, it might be drinking my coffee without reaching for my phone.  
• Noticing the Small Details:  I’ve been pausing more often to take in what’s around me—like how the snow clings to the tree branches outside my window. These small moments of awareness make life feel richer.  
• Tilting Without Guilt:  I realized I’ve already been practicing this in my own way. Life constantly throws curveballs, and allowing myself the flexibility to shift priorities as needed—without guilt—has reduced so much stress. McAlary’s words validated what I already knew deep down: balance isn’t about equal distribution, but about intentional shifts. 

This book reinforced that slow living doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s about small shifts that make life feel more aligned, more peaceful, and more fulfilling.  

Have you read Destination Simple or embraced any slow-living habits? I’d love to hear how you bring simplicity into your days!  

Image from Bloomsbury Publishing site

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