Slow Living in the City: 10 Tips for Beginning Your Slow Living Journey

My slow living journey began about a decade ago in the heart of the city. I’ll be the first to admit that the contrast between slow living & the fast paced city environment is huge. However, that made slow living in the city all the more worth it. The results quickly became very clear. My slower pace had a ripple effect into every other area of my life. Things began moving more slowly, yes, even in the midst of the city bustle.

From someone who’s been where you are, it’s entire possible to embrace slow living in the heart of the city. And if you’re anything like me, you just might find it to be the gateway to the life of your dreams.

Below you’ll find my top tips for beginning your own journey to slow living in the city.

Start walking, biking, and using public transportation if you aren’t already. This is one of my favorite parts about city living. It’s honestly something I miss now that I live more rurally. We truly can’t mention slow living in the city without also mentioning this tip. They go hand in hand. I love taking in the sights and sounds of the city on a long walk or bike ride. And don’t get me started on the amazing people watching when riding public transport. Yes, it tends to be slower, but isn’t that the point? How present can you be on your walk/ride to work? What can you notice about your surroundings? Can you practice utilizing all of your senses?
Cook from scratch. A big part of my journey to slow living also involved embracing the slow food movement. I started doing my grocery shopping at the farmer’s market rather than the grocery store. I started learning what was in season each month rather than wondering why the strawberries I purchased in the winter tasted like shit. Shopping for food locally does wonders for the environment, your body, as well as your wallet.
Take a walk for the sole reason of taking a walk. When was the last time you walked for the hell of it? Not to get somewhere. Not to take the dog on a walk. Simply to enjoy yourself. Nowadays, that’s a big part of my every day life. But I couldn’t have said the same when I was living in the city. Sure, I did go on walks, but it was always to pick up my takeout or to take the dog out to pee.
Start baking bread. I know what you’re thinking, this is so cliche. But seriously, slowing down enough to bake your own bread instead of purchasing it at the grocery store is a wonderful lesson in slow living. Not to mention the amount of money you’ll save in the process, this one’s a win-win. [link] the art of baking bread the slow way
Say no. You’ve probably heard the popular saying, “if it’s not a hell yes, it’s a no.” And that could not ring more true when it comes to slow living. A huge part of creating space for slowness in your schedule is saying no more often and only saying yes to the things that truly bring you joy.
Drive in the slow lane. If you just can’t walk/bike, you can still take the slow route by driving in the slow lane (both literally and figuratively). It’s just not worth it to rush from point A to point B, so go ahead, let the folks in a rush fly by. Give the car in front of you plenty of space, go the speed limit and don’t worry about the person in your rear-view mirror. [link] driving in the slow lane can change your life
Discover your favorite coffee shop. And no I don’t mean the one that’s most recommended on Google. That’s other people’s favorite coffee shop. I mean the one you passed by while you were on a walk last week. The one that had a couple of empty tables outside, ivy growing up the building, mismatched wooden chairs, handmade baked goods, and local art covering the walls (clearly speaking from experience here). It’s the quaint coffee shops that have the best coffee anyway.
Take yourself on a picnic. A lovely way to experience the city is to head to a local park with a blanket and a basket of delicious food. Spread the blanket out and observe as people pass you by. Does it seem like they’re in a rush? Is there anyone else enjoying themselves?
Grow your own food. This doesn’t have to look the way you may have pictured in your mind. You don’t need a garden in the country, complete with walking paths and raised beds. This can look like saving your next avocado pit and putting it in your sunniest window. It can look like saving the bottom part of your green onions and placing them in a mason jar of water. It can look like starting an herb garden on your balcony, but even that didn’t come until I was about 5 years into my slow living journey. Start small, but make sure you start.
Get quiet. Give yourself the gift of silence. Take a few deep breaths and settle into your seat. Soften your gaze and close your eyes if that feels good to you. It’s important to take time to be with yourself. Your soul just might be calling out to you, but without getting quiet, we wouldn’t hear the message. What happens when you intentionally choose to go inward and simply listen?