No matter which stage of life you’re in, you've probably heard it said, "time flies.” Months come and go before we can grasp the calendar's turn—leaving us with more memories and less of the resource itself. Time is one of the most valuable, non-renewable currencies we have, and it’s worthy of savoring as often as possible.
Although it can seem aspirational, or even unachievable, slow living is a gift that exists for our taking with small shifts in perspective. Rather than a verb, it can be a posture—of heart, mind, and daily living—to actively make space for meaningful moments to unfold.
In addition to the mountaintop milestones of life, there’s beauty in the valleys of simplicity—filled with everyday moments that only an unhurried pace reveals. By intentionally slowing your sense of time, you’ll find the mundane turns to magic. So, rather than a formula or a list of to-dos, we're sharing a few ways to move through your days with more intention and ease.
Reclaim Mornings
Although there’s always hope for a day to turn around, the early hours tend to set the tone. Creating space to be present before the world wakes can start your morning on the right note—and set you up for success as the day gets busier.
Consider lighting a candle and spending some time reading a book you enjoy. Or, wake up in time to enjoy a nourishing breakfast while you watch sunlight pour through the shades. Intentionally making time to savor the beginning of each day is a great starting point for more intentional living.
Create Margin
It’s easy to fall into autopilot with comfortable routines. Consider taking a beat to reevaluate where your focus goes. What commitments take up the most of your time each day, month, year? What do you devote yourself to—and why?
Asking why reveals your motivation. It gives permission to change routines, say “no” where you need to, or simply zone in on things that truly matter to you. Creating margin is less about making cuts and more about deciding what’s written in pen on your calendar—unerasable and necessary for you to live a well-loved life.
Once you’ve decided what takes priority, give yourself the freedom to hold everything else loosely…and maybe even allow boredom to sweep in occasionally. You might be surprised at how a quieter mind invites memories and creativity you didn’t even know were within you.
Mark the Moment
Phones serve as a great tool for convenience and connection, but recording moments the old-fashioned way increases staying power beyond a screen. Consider printing and framing photographs, penning a letter, subscribing to a print magazine, or picking up a copy of your local newspaper. There’s something special about holding tangible reminders of time in your hand—and collecting treasures in paper form.
Keep Learning
Challenging your brain to stay sharp can mitigate falling into mindless routines. New experiences can help ground you in different perspectives and enhance awareness of the passage of time. Whether watching an expert-led workshopOpens in new tab about a topic you’re interested in or opting for a non-fiction book over scrolling on social media, intentionally stretching your limits can make time feel slower as you learn and grow.
P.S. MasterClassOpens in new tab is a great place to learn something new! Watch Jo’s new course (coming soon!) for an in-depth look at her design process and the art of storytelling in your home.
Embrace the Process
Our default can be living with a forward focus—ever waiting for the next significant accomplishment, weekend, vacation, etc. But living this way keeps us from experiencing the joy of today. Finding little, daily delights to look forward to can be helpful, like a homemade latte in the morning, a yoga class after work, or a drawn-out dinner gathering around the table.
The same can be said for building a home you love or honing a new hobby. Finding patience in the process allows time to do its thing, resulting in an end result you’re proud of.
Invite Children In
Kids can be the greatest teachers of finding wonder everywhere. (Order Jo’s new children’s book for more on this!) Naturally, they slow time and shed light on new perspectives as they experience things for the first time. Consider inviting them into your everyday routines and chores. Seeing the world through their eyes reveals wonders to us, too. For a lineup of easy recipes to make with kids in the kitchen, click here.
Simplify Your Space
Decluttering your home is an easy way to breathe a little lighter—and make space for growth. This can be as easy as revisiting how you sort and store household items or reorganizing the layout of a room to welcome more life to unfold. Whatever simplification looks like for you, refreshing rooms and routines can be a practical, tangible representation of a clearer mind.
As a reminder, there’s no one right way to cultivate a slowed sense of time. It’s more about the daily decision to behold the beauty each moment brings, to let it linger—and in the space that opens up, choosing to delight in it all.
For more inspiration, plus pieces to support a well-loved life at home, visit magnolia.com.
