The Art of Slow Living

No matter how excited you are to be out of the office and enjoying retirement, the transition away from a fast-paced workplace can take some adjustment. For some, the slower pace of life that comes with retirement is welcome—for others, it can be difficult to embrace a relaxed pace. 

Here, we’ll explore the benefits of taking a step back from the busyness of your working years, as well as actionable tips that you can take to better savor each day of your retirement.

Benefits of Slowing Down

During your working years, you had days that flew by, leaving you wondering where the hours went. Retirement offers a different pace of life—but slowing down is anything but boring. Giving yourself permission to slow down and enjoy all that life has to offer gives you the time you need to breathe, appreciate loved ones, and create a home and life that best supports your well-being. 

Slow living offers a wide variety of benefits, including: 

• Improved health: Whether you’ve always been the type to hit the gym first thing in the morning or you could use some work in the wellness department, you’ll find that slowing down can help you make decisions that improve your health. Taking leisurely walks outdoors, meeting a friend for a game of pickleball, or chasing your grandkids around the park can all support both your mental and physical health. Slowing down can also support healthy nutritional habits—when you spend time creating home-cooked meals or growing fresh vegetables in your garden, you’re in control of the ingredients in your food, making it easier for you to make choices that support your health.
• Increased sense of contentment: You’re no longer at the beck and call of your career to-do list—now, you get to decide what your schedule is going to look like each day. Once you take the time to decide what’s really important to you, you’re able to craft your days to prioritize what really matters. Without the pressure to move quickly from one task to the next, you’re able to take your time, leaning into the delightful moments you may have had to rush through in the past. 
• Stronger connections with others: From spending time with grandkids to finally having the time for volunteer opportunities that are meaningful to you, retirement provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity to strengthen your connections with the people around you. If you’re missing the social network you had in the office, taking the time to cultivate new friendships can help you make the most of your retirement. 
• Reduced anxiety and stress: No matter how much you loved your job, there’s a certain level of stress that comes with performance reviews, interacting with coworkers, and meeting deadlines. Lifting the burden of work responsibilities can make it easier for you to breathe deeply, relax, and enjoy the little things in life.

Simplifying Your Daily Routines

Many people who enjoy retirement find that daily routines help them thrive. Rather than trying to stick to the routine you had when you were working outside of the home, take some time to develop new, simplified routines that encourage you to move more slowly. 

Instead of an hourly calendar like you may have needed while you were working, splitting your day into three segments—morning, afternoon, and evening—can help you create a schedule that makes sense when you want to live at a slower pace. For each segment, create a list of “must-do” items and a list of “want-to-do” items. These lists can vary from day to day. Not every segment of every day needs a must-do list! When you notice segments in which the must-do area is empty, add something—like finally starting the novel you’ve been meaning to read—to your want-to-do list.

Enjoying the Present Moment

It seems like common sense to enjoy as much of your day as you can, but actually doing so requires intentionality and practice. Now that you’re able to stop and smell the roses (literally), retraining your brain to be present is an important step toward living mindfully. 

Some simple ways to become more present include: 

• Breathing exercises
• Mindful movement (like yoga, Pilates, or tai chi)
• Grounding techniques, such as noticing the things you see, hear, and smell
• Single-tasking (as opposed to multitasking)
• Gratitude practice (write five things you’re thankful for each morning)

It can take some time to figure out what mindfulness practices work for you. Choose one, stick to it for a week, and if you like it, keep it. If not, move onto the next.

Declutter Your Life

A calm space can lend itself to a calm mind, and decluttering your home is a surefire way to reduce stress and live more simply. While there’s no need to dive into a minimalist lifestyle (unless that’s your thing), getting rid of unneeded and unnecessary items can work wonders for your well-being.

To get started with decluttering, try: 

• Starting small. If you feel overwhelmed, starting with a single drawer can be a great way to kick-start the decluttering of your home. 
• Making donations. Struggling to part with objects that no longer serve a purpose in your home? Donating them to people in need can help you feel great about getting rid of clutter. 
• Taking photos. It’s hard to perceive our spaces accurately. Take a photo of an area you’re about to declutter, and take another photo when you’re done. When you see the difference you’ve made, you’ll feel motivated to keep going.

Cultivating Peace in Your Home (and Your Life) by Considering What Really Matters

It’s time to live life on your terms. Retirement is the time to decide what your most peaceful life looks like—and to make that life a reality. Paring down your daily tasks to make room for strengthening relationships, creating a home environment that feels like an oasis, and retraining your brain to focus on the here and now can all help you slow down—and make the most of your retirement.