Let’s be real—life is a lot. One minute, you’re sipping your morning coffee; the next, it’s midnight, and you’re wondering where the day went. Society likes to make us believe that more is always better. More success, more hustle, more ambition, more productivity.
But what if more… isn’t actually the goal?
That’s where simple living and slow living come in. Two lifestyles that say, “Hey, maybe life doesn’t have to feel like a never-ending to-do list.”
Both encourage you to step off the hamster wheel, but they’re not quite the same. So, which one fits you? And how can you start embracing a life that actually feels like yours? Let’s break it down.
Table of Contents
What is Simple Living?
Simple living is basically decluttering your entire existence—not just your closet, but your mind, schedule, and priorities. It’s about stripping away the meh so you have more space for the hell yes.
The Core Vibe of Simple Living:
Less clutter. Fewer things, but better ones. Goodbye, junk drawer of shame.
Financial freedom. Spending intentionally, not emotionally. No more impulse buys at 2 AM.
Living by your own values. Not what’s trendy, not what your LinkedIn feed says—just what actually matters to you.
At its core, simple living is about owning less, stressing less, and focusing more on what fuels you. Less chasing, more choosing.
What is Slow Living?
Slow living, on the other hand, is about pacing yourself. Because let’s face it, life is not a speedrun. It’s about being fully in the moment instead of constantly rushing to the next thing.
The Core Vibe of Slow Living:
Doing fewer things, but fully. No more multitasking 15 tabs (literally and metaphorically).
Deeper connections. With yourself, your people, nature. Whatever feeds your soul.
Flowing with life’s natural rhythms. Seasons change, moods shift, and some days are just meant for cozy socks and tea. That’s okay.
If simple living asks, “What do I actually need?” then slow living asks, “What if I stopped hurrying through my life?”
The Core Difference: Focus vs. Flow
Both challenge the idea that bigger, faster, and busier equals better. One does it by reducing distractions, the other by slowing the pace.
How to Start Living More Simply & Slowly (Without Overhauling Your Life Overnight)
1. Redefine ‘Success’ on Your Own Terms
Forget what everyone else says success should look like. What does your ideal day feel like? More space, more quiet, more creativity? Great. Start there.
2. Stop Letting Society Rush You
Not every hour needs to be “productive.” You don’t need a five-year plan. You are allowed to just be. (Yes, even without feeling guilty.)
3. Romanticize the Boring Stuff
Drink your coffee without scrolling. Cook without watching a show in the background. Walk without a podcast playing. Give your brain a chance to breathe and actually experience your life.
4. Get Better at Saying ‘No’
Your time is your actual life. Treat it like a limited edition item (because, well… it is). If something feels like an obligation rather than a joy, practice saying no. Without guilt.
5. Reconnect with Nature (No, You Don’t Have to Become a Forest Witch—Unless You Want To)
A slow life is often a more natural life. Get outside. Watch the sunset. Lie in the grass. Let your bare feet touch the ground.
Which One Is Right for You?
Good news: you don’t have to pick just one!
You can declutter like a minimalist while savoring life like a slow-liver. You can downsize your commitments and take your time cooking dinner. You can unsubscribe from junk emails and sit on your porch doing absolutely nothing for 10 minutes.
The key is finding what actually makes you feel good (not what looks good on Instagram).
So, the real question isn’t should you live simply or slowly. It’s:
What kind of life actually feels like yours?
And maybe, just maybe, the answer isn’t more. It’s less, but better.
