Many of us WANT to slow down. But let’s be real… without intense motivation, it’s hard to make those changes. Slow living quotes and other motivational quotes can provide plenty of positive inspiration to keep you going, reaffirm your goals, and align what you WANT with what you DO.
You can do it!
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Why Do People Have This Need For Slow Living?
There are many reasons, but here are some of the most common:
- We’re exhausted.
- We want to spend time making better connections with family and friends.
- We’re overwhelmed by to-do lists and technology.
- We need more time to think.
- We desire a chance to appreciate and experience everything that life has to offer.
I know how hard it can be. Life is traditionally hectic these days. We all have our plates, and we all fill them in different ways. Being busy is often unavoidable.
However, intentionally slowing down will help you learn to make changes that will lessen the pressure and take time to appreciate the good things… whether it’s gratitude for your family, your day, the beautiful weather, or that first cup of coffee in the morning.
Slow living is a goal many of us have. When you diligently apply the nuggets of wisdom from quotes like these, you’ll naturally begin to make better choices with how you spend your time.
The Slow Living Quotes You Need In Your Life
Honestly, I had a difficult time keeping this list short. There are SO MANY great quotes about slowing down, slow living, and everything that goes along with that.
The reason for the shorter list? My perspective about quotes is that they should always inspire you to do something and make positive changes… take action… not just sit there and read hundreds of quotes for hours on end. 😉
Here are some favorite simple slow living quotes:
“Being Slow means that you control the rhythms of your own life. You decide how fast you have to go in any given context. If today I want to go fast, I go fast; if tomorrow I want to go slow, I go slow. What we are fighting for is the right to determine our own tempos.”
— Carlo Petrini
“Adopt the pace of nature. Her secret is patience.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Slow living provides an opportunity to step back, pay attention, and question the ways we use technology, to recalibrate our relationship with the constantly switched-on, logged-in world.”
— Brooke McAlary
“There is more to life than increasing its speed.”
— Mahatma Gandhi
“We need, above all things, to slow down and get ourselves to amble through life instead of to rush through it.”
— Alan Watts
“Slow down. Find peace in little moments. Learn what you love, fill your life with it, and watch yourself come alive.”
— Sonya Matejko
“I don’t do hurry I don’t do worry.”
— Karen Salmansohn
“The world is run by worn-out people, and our soul is often lost beneath the piles of our everyday life.”
— Emily P. Freeman
“People are so busy chasing happiness – if they would slow down and turn around, they would give it a chance to catch up with them.”
— Harold S. Kushner
“Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit.
Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset.
What is anything in life compared to peace of soul?”
— Francis de Sales
“An unhurried sense of time is in itself a form of wealth.”
— Bonnie Friedman
“It takes courage to say yes to rest and play in a culture where exhaustion is seen as a status symbol.”
— Brené Brown
Using Quotes About Slow Living In Your Daily Life
You may know you want to slow down, but how can you use these slow living quotes in your daily life? There are a few ways that you can try:
- Use them as daily affirmations
You can say these first thing in the morning or throughout the day when things are getting busy or overwhelming. Say a few different ones or pick one out that resonates with you the most.
Just think how it can intentionally set your mindset at a slower pace by believing and repeating how you want to live.
Related reading: Living An Intentional Life: 7 Powerful Steps to Make It Happen
- Try them as journal prompts
We know how great it can feel to write and set intentions through journaling. So use the quotes as inspiration to creatively write how they can and will help you.
You can absolutely make this happen, whether it’s 10 minutes in the morning, throughout the day, or last thing at night.
- Set up reminders on your phone
Instead of your usual appointment reminders, put some of these slow living quotes as reminders on your phone. Set them to randomly come through to your phone throughout the day and then repeat them quietly to yourself.
- Add them to your diary or planner
If you use a diary or planner, write them in at the top or on specific days. Every time you look at your planner you will be reminded of the quote you have chosen for that day or week. Try this printable daily planner page.
- Put them where you can see them
Whether it is on your refrigerator door, the mirror in the bathroom, or in your bag, write them down or print them off and stick them where you can see them. This reminds you at certain points of the day to live more intentionally by slowing down.
More Reading to Inspire Slow Living
SLOW: Simple Living for a Frantic World – Brooke McAlary
Declutter Your Life: 6 Things to Purge for More Intentional Living
In Praise of Slowness: Challenging the Cult of Speed – Carl Honoré
15 Slow Down Quotes to Help You Enjoy More Living
The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living – Meik Wiking
9 Simple Self-Care Ideas to Bring More Balance to a Busy Life – Simple Lionheart Life
The Power of Less: The Fine Art of Limiting Yourself to the Essential… in Business and in Life – Leo Babauta
Why You MUST Discover & Develop A Creative Outlet
Are You Ready To Start Slow Living?
If you have dreams of starting to slow down and live more intentionally, then these slow living quotes can help you to get the right mindset.
Don’t expect any immediate changes overnight.
Often changes need to be made slowly, and it can take 21-60 or more days for new habits to form. However, consistency is key. As you start to slow down you will notice the amazing benefits of doing so. It will help you to live the life that you want.
Don’t forget, you’ve got this!
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