Skip to main content

When Slow Living Starts to Feel Like a To-Do List

The other night, I had a quiet realization—and it surprised me.  I had planned a perfectly cozy evening:

  • Pull out tomorrow’s dinner

  • Treadmill

  • Read a few pages of my nonfiction book

  • Start a new knitting project

  • End the night with fiction and my dog curled up beside me

Sounds lovely, right?

But as I moved through the evening, it felt… tiring. Not because I was doing hard things—but because I was doing so many of them. Each one was a “restful” activity, yet somehow, together, they started to feel like another to-do list.

That’s when it hit me:  I was treating my slow-living hobbies like productivity tasks.  Instead of soaking in the moment, I was racing through “rest.” And I had turned something meant to restore me into something I had to check off.

The Trap of Performing Peace

If you’re anything like me—someone who craves balance and deeply values making the most of your time—it’s easy to unintentionally hustle your way through slow living. We want to do it right, which sometimes means we over-plan our peace.

But slow living isn’t a checklist.  It’s not about how many relaxing things you can squeeze into your evening.  It’s about presence. Joy. Stillness. And enoughness.  Slow living is about experiencing the moment—not performing it.

A Gentle Reframe

Now, I ask myself different questions:

  • What do I feel like doing next?

  • What would feel nourishing, not necessary?

  • If I did just one thing tonight with full presence, what would bring me joy?

Some nights, that might still be a few things. But the shift is: I let myself follow what feels good, not what I planned perfectly.

If You’re Feeling This Too...

Know this: you’re not doing it wrong. You’re just tuning in more deeply. And that’s actually part of what slow living is about.

So if tonight you only read a page, or sit with your tea and your thoughts, or do nothing at all—you’re still living intentionally. Maybe even more so.

And when I forget this (because I will again), I’ll come back to this reminder:

Presence over productivity.
Joy over checking the box.
Slow living, not slow doing.


Image by Ольга from Pixabay

#life #lifethoughts #momblogger #journaling #journal #journals #selfcare #journalcommunity #dailyjournal #journalpage #selfimprovement #selfdevelopment #personaldevelopment #selfhelp #personalgrowth #selfawareness #selfgrowth #LifeStyled #IntentionalLiving #MinimalistLifestyle #CurateYourLife #CreateYourBestLife #WorkLifeBalance #IntentionalLiving #SimpleJoys #MiddayReset #SelfCareRoutine  #IntentionalLiving #LunchBreak #SelfCareRoutine #EverydayConnection #SlowLiving

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Cozy November Reset: Embracing Intentional Living

As the warmth of autumn lingers, a soothing YouTube video has captured the essence of the season: "Cozy November Reset." This tranquil escape invites us to slow down and indulge in the serene beauty of November. The video takes us to Haley Post's cozy home, wrapped in warmth and comfort. She talks about November being a transitional phase between the vibrant fall season and the festive Christmas period. She uses the month to pause, reflect, and recharge .  
Post a Comment
Read more

Embrace a Fresh Start This Fall

Fall cleaning feels like more than just a chore; it’s a seasonal reset for both my home and my mindset. It’s an opportunity to create a warm, inviting space perfect for embracing the cozy months ahead. By tackling small tasks now, I can stay ahead of holiday chaos and focus on what really matters—family, friends, and cherished moments. This Better Homes & Gardens article I recently discovered offers a room-by-room checklist with daily, weekly, and seasonal tasks. It's a practical guide for decluttering, deep cleaning, and maintaining a welcoming environment throughout fall. Whether it’s organizing spaces or tackling forgotten corners, these tips make it easier to step into the season with a clean and refreshed home. Here’s to starting the season organized and ready for everything fall has to offer! The Complete Fall Cleaning Checklist for a Tidy Home :  Written by Jessica Bennett and Halee Miller Van Ryswyk Image by Michal Jarmoluk from Pixabay #life #lifethoughts #momblogger #...
Post a Comment
Read more

Lavendaire: Artist of Life Workbook

I discovered the Lavendaire YouTube channel about five years ago, and it quickly became a go-to source for personal growth and lifestyle inspiration. The channel covers topics like self-development, intentional living, self-love, meditation, and so much more. Aileene, the host, has also created The Artist of Life Workbook , a guided journal designed to help you craft your most intentional and successful year. This workbook, along with tools like ChatGPT, has played a key role in helping me shape my goals. Its thoughtful exercises have not only affirmed and refined my understanding of who I am but have also clarified what I truly want in life. Plus, the workbook keeps me accountable with weekly action pages and monthly reflections. It’s been an invaluable tool in my personal journey! Under the philosophy of slow living, it took me three thoughtful months to work through the exercises and refine my goals. This patient, deliberate approach allowed me to make meaningful progress and, at la...
Post a Comment
Read more