Deadlines, news cycles, nonstop group chats, the feeling that everything is “due yesterday”—it’s exhausting. And no matter how organized we are, the pace of the world isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
But maybe that’s not the point.
Maybe the real power lies in how we move through it—how we pause, reset, and stay grounded even when everything feels like it’s speeding up.
1. Slow down by practicing everyday awareness
“Slowing down is a practice and a process,” says Vin Infante, a psychotherapist and performance coach. “Every single day, in every situation, observe your surroundings and express appreciation for the things close to you. In the practice of presence, we slow life down and truly begin to live.”
There’s no need to romanticize slowness—it’s more about noticing where you are than trying to change everything at once.
2. Decide what deserves your energy today
Start the day by asking yourself: What’s actually worth my energy? For Marco, a design director and runner, this one question is the key to feeling less scattered.
If the day feels chaotic, go for a walk. Move your body. Or just sit in stillness and remember that not every moment has to be productive.
3. Give every task its own time slot
“As a solo founder, everything feels urgent all the time,” says Chevy (hi 👋). “I slow things down by mapping my week in Notion—making sure each task has its own space to breathe. It helps stop that pile-up panic before it starts.”
Structure can be a form of self-kindness. Boundaries create space.
4. Put it on paper, not your mind
When stress hits, Matty J starts with one slow breath in, one slow breath out. Then: pen to paper.
“I unload the thoughts, sort the mess, and find clarity through the page,” he says. “Some days it’s just lo-fi music and a moment to reflect. It’s not about fixing everything—it’s about creating space to move forward with intention.”
Journaling, list-making, or even just scribbling can be its own kind of reset.
Slowing down doesn’t mean opting out—it means choosing presence, one small decision at a time. A walk, a breath, a lamp turned on at just the right moment. These are the little things that help us keep going without losing ourselves in the rush.
What’s one small thing that helps you slow down?
Share it in the comments—your ritual might be featured in the next Little Things That Matter.