Tag Archives: slowing down

Self-Care Isn’t Always Glamorous, but It’s Always Worth It

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Rethinking wellness during Self-Care Awareness Month

September is Self-Care Awareness Month, a time to reflect on what it truly means to care for ourselves. While the phrase often brings to mind spa days, green smoothies, and curated morning routines, real self-care is often quieter, less polished, and deeply personal. It is not always beautiful, but it is always valuable.

Here are five unexpected ways to honor your well-being this month. No candles required.

1. Let Yourself Be Boring

There is constant pressure to make every moment productive or exciting. But self-care can mean giving yourself permission to be boring. Skip the plans. Say no to the hustle. Let yourself rest without guilt. This is not laziness. It is restoration, and it is often exactly what your body and mind need.

2. Curate What You Consume

Self-care is not just about what you do. It is also about what you absorb. Take inventory of your media diet. Are your feeds fueling you or draining you? Unfollow accounts that trigger comparison. Revisit books, playlists, or podcasts that make you feel grounded and inspired. What you consume shapes how you feel. Choose wisely.

3. Celebrate the Invisible Wins

Did you finally schedule that overdue checkup? Set a boundary? Clean out your inbox? These small, unseen acts are powerful forms of self-care. They do not get applause, but they deserve recognition. Honor them. They are the foundation of a healthier, more intentional life.

4. Wear Clothes That Do Not Perform

This is where pajamas come in—not the ones you throw on because you are too tired to care, but the ones that feel like a soft exhale. Pajamas that are not trying to impress anyone. That signal to your body, “You are safe. You can rest now.” Whether it is a breathable cotton set or a buttery-soft modal blend, the right pair of pajamas can be a quiet act of self-respect. They are not just for sleep. They are for slowing down, reclaiming comfort, and reminding yourself that rest is productive too.

5. Make Room for Micro-Moments

You do not need a full day off to care for yourself. Sip your coffee slowly. Step outside for two minutes. Stretch before bed. These tiny rituals add up, and they are often more sustainable than grand gestures. Self-care lives in the margins.

This month, let self-care be yours. Not performative. Not perfect. Just real. Because the truth is, you are worth the care. Not just in September. Always.

The Art of Slow Living: Why December 26-31 Are the Most Magical Days of the Year

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There’s something almost enchanted about those few days between Christmas and New Year’s. The gifts are unwrapped, the big meals are finished, and time seems to slow down in the most delightful way. It’s as if the world collectively decides to take a deep breath and just… be.

Let’s talk about why these days might just be the most magical of the entire year – and how to make the most of them.

The In-Between Magic

Think about it – when else do you have permission to lose track of what day it is? When the biggest decision of your morning might be whether to have your coffee in bed or by the window? (Our vote: definitely bed, especially when you’re cozied up in your favorite pajamas – because who says you can’t feel luxurious while doing absolutely nothing?)

These days are different. They’re suspended between the old year and the new, between the hustle of the holidays and the fresh energy of January. They’re perfect for what we like to call “intentional laziness” – the art of doing less, but doing it really, really well.

Creating Your Slow Living Sanctuary

Want to embrace this magical time? Here’s how to create your own peaceful retreat:

Create a cozy corner: Gather your softest blankets, plumpest pillows, and yes – your most comfortable sleepwear. This is your base camp for the week.

Embrace morning rituals: Let yourself wake up naturally. Enjoy that first cup of coffee or tea without rushing. Maybe even start a light morning journaling practice.

Indulge in afternoon pleasures: Read that book that’s been sitting on your nightstand. Try a new recipe. Take a midday bath. Watch the entire season of that show everyone’s been talking about.

The Joy of Unscheduled Time

There’s something powerful about having unscheduled days. No meetings. No deadlines. Just time to let your mind wander and your body rest. Stay in your pajamas until noon – or all day if you want! These are the days when “doing nothing” becomes an art form.

Looking Forward While Standing Still

While these days are perfect for rest, they also offer a gentle opportunity for reflection. Not the intense “new year, new you” kind, but the soft, kind reflection that comes naturally when you’re relaxed and comfortable.

Maybe jot down some thoughts about the past year while curled up in your favorite chair. Dream a little about the year ahead. But do it all without pressure – these thoughts are just like clouds passing through a calm sky.

Making It Last

The secret to truly enjoying these magical days? Give yourself permission to embrace them fully. Turn off the notifications. Put away the to-do lists. Change into fresh loungewear just because it feels nice. Let yourself exist in this gentle space between years.

And here’s a thought: maybe we can take a little piece of this slow living magic with us into the new year. Maybe we can remember that sometimes the most productive thing we can do is simply rest, reflect, and rejuvenate.

As we wind down another year, remember that these quiet days aren’t just empty space between celebrations – they’re a gift. A pause. A chance to just be.

So go ahead, get comfortable, pour yourself something warm to drink, and settle into the magic of doing absolutely nothing at all. After all, that’s what these days are for.

Mastering the art of slowing down

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If you feel your life is going too fast, mastering the art of slowing down is essential for achieving success. It’s an actual skill to step back and choose what is most important to you. If we can make the most of our days without rushing through things, we can be more productive.

Learning how to slow down your pace can start in the small moments of everyday life. For example, the way you start your day sets the tone for the rest of your day. By taking the time to intentionally begin your day, you will feel less stressed and rushed throughout your day. If you’re ready to ride in the slow lane for a bit, give these tried and true tips a go.

Deep Breath

Deep Breathing. The art of deep breathing can help you relax and reduce your stress levels. It activates the vagus nerve which is involved in the regulation of our physiological responses and acts as a neural brake. During a deep breath, the heart rate slows down and the breathing pattern becomes slow and deep. This process can decrease your feelings of anxiety and depression.

Meditate. Slowing down through meditation involves tapping into the breath and by doing so we calm the mind, reduce reactivity, and power the frontal lobes of the brain. We can use this technique to slow down time so that we can choose the right things to do at the right time.

Yoga

Yoga. This practice requires you to pay attention to the present moment and refine your awareness and perception. We tend to be so wrapped up in our daily activities that we often become oblivious to the quiet part within us. Our mind demands outward stimulation so it is very important to take time to dive into your inner world.

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Engage Nature. Take time away from business and reconnect with nature. This can be and variety of activities, including taking a walk, reading a book outdoors, or simply sitting and listening to nature’s soothing sounds. If possible, leave technology indoors.

Focus on the moment. It’s not all about slowing yourself down, it’s about practicing mindfulness. Being mindful means directing your attention toward the present moment and taking inventory of your surroundings and the people around you. In other words, when slowing down your life, you want to make the most of every moment rather than simply pass through it.

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Make a short to-do list. One of the best ways to slow down your life is to make a short to-do list. Whether it’s a daily task or a weekly project, writing it down helps trick your brain into thinking in specific steps. Having a short to-do list will help you prioritize tasks so put only three items on your list each day. This way, you’ll be able to check off the most important tasks and leave the rest for the next day or week.

Gratitude

Cultivating gratitude. This is a powerful way to boost your mood, foster stronger relationships, and even change the way you see yourself. Plus, practicing gratitude is totally free! When you practice gratitude, you’ll experience an increased sense of relaxation, a stronger immune system, and a reduction in blood pressure. Write down the things you’re grateful for or write a handwritten letter to someone special and focus on the good qualities of that person.

Declutter

Get rid of clutter. Clutter clogs our brain’s neural pathways, which means that we can’t process information quickly and can negatively impact our relationships, health, and work performance. We also spend an inordinate amount of time searching for things. This is time we could be spending with loved ones or relaxing. When tackling a clutter problem, it’s important to start small. Start by putting your dirty laundry in a hamper, and then clear off the tops of appliances and shelves and move up from there.

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Create a cocoon. Fall is the best time to start learning the art of cocooning. You can start by setting aside a specific space in your bedroom. Then, set a schedule for cocooning and begin to follow it. Make sure you have plenty of comfortable pajamas on hand for your sessions.

The cooler weather and shorter days are the perfect time to think about slowing down your life. Tell us how you step back when things get hectic in the comments below or post on our Facebook page!