5 Tips for Slowing Down & Romanticizing Life
Somewhere along the way, we get conditioned to rush through life. We prioritize doing and constant productivity (masculine energy) over being (feminine energy), leading many people to believe that rest is lazy or weak when it actually plays a vital role in the overall quality of life. I have personally struggled with this concept for many years, and finally, my body sent me so many signs that enough had to be enough. It was time to slow down and find balance.
To get a better idea of what was going on and come up with a personalized plan, I took a month-long DUTCH test. The results confirmed what I suspected—not only were my estrogen and progesterone very low, but I also had high cortisol in the morning and low cortisol the rest of the day. This imbalance was caused by a fight-or-flight response nearly every morning upon waking, but due to chronic stress, my body was left with fumes to run. After seeing this data, I knew the first phase in this healing process was to slow down, let my body rest and give my life a hard reset. This included everything from diet and sleep to rewiring my thoughts and even the way I act. For about a month, I’ve focused mainly on forming new habits that were more mindful and encourage me to do less.
This new way of living is certainly a work in progress, but during this time, I’ve already noticed a significant difference in the quality of my life. So here are 5 tips I wish someone shared with me that might be helpful if you’re also trying to slow down and romanticize life a bit more.
1. Be Intentional with Rituals
Creating a ritual that lights you up and makes your body feel safe is a great way to add some texture to your day. The goal is to take a base routine, but make it fun and keep it flexible. You’re not a machine, so it’s unlikely you’ll have the same energy to give every single day.
Choosing one simple activity that you do daily is a great place to start. Try to slow down and savor the activity rather than mindlessly completing tasks on autopilot. For example, instead of scrolling on your phone before bed, light a candle and read a book (even if it’s only a couple pages) or turn on your favorite music and actually sit down to eat breakfast instead of rushing out the door with a giant cup of coffee that you hope will keep you functioning until lunchtime.
Alternatively, you can make a list of things you would normally do and pick 1-3 things from that list daily, focusing on ways to enhance the activities. This may look like journaling with a candle burning one morning, stepping outside for some fresh air while you drink your coffee, or going for a walk with your dog and then making breakfast at home using your favorite mug and plate. This approach allows you to slow down, prioritize time for you, and romanticize daily activities without overcomplicating things. Every day doesn’t need to be the same. However, it’s a good idea to stick with a short list of activities that are realistic and can be repeated regularly. Having only a few activities on your rotation provides enough predictability for your body to feels safe without creating too much structure that can feel boring.
2. Spend Time in Nature
Getting outside is critical for a healthy, regulated nervous system. I personally try to get outside for an hour daily during the spring, summer and fall, but science shows that even 15 minutes in nature can boost your physical and mental health.
In our modern world, we’ve grown accustomed to staying inside to relax, work, eat… really almost everything. Since that’s the norm, it may feel challenging to think of outdoor activities at first. Over the past few weeks, here are ways I’ve spent intentional time outside that were easy to add to my day and didn’t cause extra stress:
Going for a walk: Don’t check emails or texts, just enjoy the fresh air. I love listening to a podcast or audio book most days, but it can also be so nice to go for a walk and listen to the chirping birds and wind rustling the leaves. Do what feels right for you.
Grounding: Being barefoot and connecting with the Earth is relaxing and can potentially reduce inflammation and improve sleep. I found that doing this a few minutes a day can make a big difference in my mood. Feel silly standing in the grass aimlessly? Try letting your dog out in the backyard without putting your shoes on, do yoga without your mat, or lay in the grass and read or meditate. Small habits like this add up and make a difference to your overall wellbeing.
Sitting in the sun: This is so easy to do but can be easily tossed out the window with excuses because you’re busy, it’s too hot/cold or you’re worried about sun exposure. Don’t overthink it, just get outside. Try doing something you’d normally already do during your day but in a sunny area. Some ideas include drinking your morning coffee on your porch, taking a short work break, or having lunch outside (bonus if you have friends or coworkers that can join).
3. Prioritize Quality Food & Drinks
Another way to slow down and romanticize life is to focus on nutrient dense, quality food and beverages. It’s so easy to skip breakfast, rush through lunch and have a microwaved dinner, but when you take the time to create nourishing meals, you feel so much better.
I’ve personally found that prepping a meal or two significantly increases my chances of eating quality food. Some of my current favorites have been a protein-packed chia seed pudding with fruit and granola for breakfast and quinoa salad for lunch. If you strongly dislike leftovers or meal prepping, another way to streamline things in the kitchen is to cut up your fruits and veggies for the week and store them in airtight containers. This makes it easy for snacking or adding to recipes because the hard part, typically the peeling and chopping, is already done. I also like to prep several beverages during the week including my IM8 multivitamin, some juice or smoothies, and raspberry leaf or green tea. The less time I have to spend thinking about what to eat or drink, the more time and energy I have to actually enjoy my meals.
Another thing that’s helped has been making my food and beverages aesthetically pleasing. Instead of using throwaway plates or that chipped mug, use real plates and bowls and invest in glassware that makes you happy. Aim to have colorful meals, add fresh herbs and spices, or bake a little treat. Not sure this really makes a difference? Take pictures of everything you eat and drink for a day noticing how things are displayed, and then do the same with nicely plated and intentional meals. This little experiment might help shed some light on how you actually feel about what you put in your body and why presentation matters. In my experience, when your food and drinks look good, you’re more excited about the meal and feel better too.
4. Focus on Cozy Vibes
Not only can a cozy house promote feelings of comfort and safety, but it can also improve your mood and reduce stress. Plus, a cozy home encourages you to slow down and enjoy the space you’ve created.
To achieve this feeling, you don’t need to spend a fortune on home decor. Instead, focus on simple ways to make your space feel beautiful and more desirable. Some relatively inexpensive ways to quickly enhance your existing home atmosphere include:
Buying flowers for your table or counter (can cost less than $10/week)
Adding fresh fruit to your fruit bowl (you’ll also want to eat the fruit if it’s sitting out)
Making your bed (not only does it look better throughout the day… it also feels more rewarding when you crawl into bed at night)
Fluffing your couch pillows (pro tip: pillows that are slightly bigger than the pillow covers creates a fuller, more expensive look)
Lighting a candle (soft lighting and a comforting scent can change the entire mood of a room)
Opening the windows for fresh air (relaxing and so good for you)
Modifications like the above can completely transform the energy in your space. Before you know it, you’ll love being at home.
5. Block Time for You
Possibly the most important tip on this list is to block time for yourself weekly or even daily, especially if you’re constantly overbooked. This time is an appointment with yourself and will look different for everyone, but ultimately it’s up to you to decide what you want to do for YOU.
In need of some pampering? Book a hair cut, massage or mani pedi. Need to disconnect with a book, deserve a good nap, or want to watch your favorite TV show without guilt? These are also perfect examples. If blocking a few hours at once seems intimidating, try blocking 5 minutes before or after work for a meditation, or get up 15 minutes earlier to have your coffee in silence before the kids are awake. Truthfully, it doesn’t matter what you choose to do. The point is to start putting time on the calendar for you and get comfortable with simply being.
Remember, rest is not lazy. You can’t pour from an empty cup. You must prioritize time for yourself, especially if you’re trying to recover, process big changes or restore creative energy. (If you have a hard time wrapping your head around the importance of slowing down, I highly recommend Kate Northrup’s book, Do Less.)
At the end of the day, I encourage you to get comfortable with slowing down, setting boundaries and savoring experiences instead of being rushed. You’ll not only feel a little lighter, but you’ll have a greater appreciation for life. For the next week, focus on one small way you can romanticize your day-to-day life and see how you feel. Message me and let me know any changes you experience. I’d love to hear from you!
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