How to live a Slow + Simple life.
Slow + Simple is a philosophy I’d been somewhat unknowingly developing over the last 18 months.
My life was full of to-do lists, meetings, demands for my time, scheduled calls and a packed diary. I was busy with projects, travelling for work, and constantly trying to manage my email. Every time I’d find an hour to get on top of things, I’d be back to where I was three days later.
In short, I was yearning for a slower life. But also a simpler life. Less stress, less feeling like life was dragging me along, and more space and time to breathe, and enjoy life.
I began exploring ways to live that lifestyle, without becoming a monk. Here is my Slow + Simple Approach.
The Core Slow + Simple Principles:
Less noise, more meaning: Prioritise what matters, eliminate the rest. We’re very good at adding, not so good at eliminating.
Deliberate over default: Live with intention, not reaction. We’re quick to respond and spend less time pausing to consider and reflect.
Pause creates progress: Slowing down is not stopping, it's about making space to grow.
Simplicity breeds clarity: Reducing complexity helps us see and feel more clearly. The more we remove, I have found the more clarity we get.
The Slow + Simple Promise:
A slower, simpler life brings more control, peace, and purpose, without needing to move to a cabin in the woods, become a monk, or reject modern life.
The S-L-O-W Framework:
S – Strip it back
Identify the excess. What clutters your time, mind, home, and schedule? What can be removed or paused? I did several cleanses of my house asking of every item I owned: “Does this bring me joy?”, and “Does this have an important purpose?”. To highlight this, I cleared a 3,000 book collection I had started when I was 15 to less than 100 books. I wanted them, but I didn’t need them.
L – Live deliberately
Rebuild life around intention, values, and meaning. Say no more. Design your days with care. Curate the items you own and clothes you wear, the food you eat, and what you do with conscious intention.
O – Own your pace
Stop comparing. Define what “enough” looks like for you, truly and honestly. Create rituals and rhythms that suit you.
W – Welcome stillness
Practice rest. Make space for quiet and own the idea of doing nothing. Build in slowness, reflection, and boredom as fuel for creativity and presence. A simple way I started to put this into my daily ife was to read a chapter of a book each morning after breakfast.
Ideas for living a Slow + Simple life:
Daily Practices: 10-minute morning stillness to allow yourself to feel slower and calmer, 1 daily “no”, end-of-day slow-down ritual.
Weekly Themes: Focus on areas like a digital detox, preparing (and eating) mindful meals, or creating slow mornings.
Slow + Simple Toolkit: Use the templates, prompts, and journaling questions in The Journey to help you..
Engage with the Slow + Simple Approach:
I share ideas, reflections, and suggestions in my free weekly email, “A Note from Jez” - sign up here
In-person day events to experience the Slow + Simple approach. Click here.
Follow me on Instagram for daily prompts, challenges, and how I’m living a simpler, slower life. Try the 30-day challenge on my Instagram.
Listen to pause+effect, my new podcast that explores how a slower and simpler life can have a profound effect on us, our work, and our sense of purpose. Click here.