Welcome back Readers,

It’s been a while since I wrote an article, but I’m back for what it’s worth.

Recently, the concept of slowing down has been at the forefront of my mind. Ambition is good; having desires is good. But taking time to smell the roses and appreciate what you’re striving toward and the process it takes to get there is equally important. Without that pause, you may achieve many amazing things yet fail to appreciate any of them, always focused on the next item on your list. You could reach the end of the journey and still wonder if it was all worth it, or what the point even was.

Taking time to smell the roses helps you reconnect with the present and appreciate how far you’ve come. It took my mental health taking a nosedive for me to begin weaving small, mindful moments into my life moments that help me be present and in tune with myself. Living in a busy city like London doesn’t help either; everyone is always in a rush, always on to the next thing or goal on their bucket list. This inevitably forces you to work harder to be present.

Often, our mental health begins to deteriorate when we’re moving through life at double speed. Your life’s focus shouldn’t be a quest where, once you reach the end and achieve the “treasure,” you finally start living. If your happiness and fulfillment are determined by reaching that one goal, then once you arrive, you’ll simply put another goal at the end*- and the cycle never ends.

Life is at its best when you take time to enjoy the little things as they happen. Often, those small moments bring more happiness and meaning than the goal itself.

Now the important part, how does one actually slow down in life ?

1. Have moments where you are still and mindful of your surroundings and life

One of the best ways I’ve learned to do this is by sitting in front of a lake or river for 10–35 minutes at a time. I’ll sometimes listen to music, but mostly I just sit and watch: the water swaying left and right, boats drifting past, birds flying overhead, collecting their harvest, or playing in the water; people walking, jogging, or cycling by; trees swishing with every gust of wind; dogs showcasing both playfulness and determination as they follow their owners on their missions; airplanes gliding across the sky; and clouds slowly drifting past.

If I were on my phone, I would miss all of this. If I were on autopilot, I wouldn’t notice these subtle shifts in nature. Watching it all helps me recenter myself, release the stresses on my mind, and appreciate the beauty of life in its simplest form.

2. Celebrate All of Your Wins and Accomplishments

Whether big or small, make sure to celebrate and take the time to enjoy all the things you’re achieving. This practice helps you stay present in your journey and recognize the small, seemingly insignificant steps that are moving you forward. Celebrating these milestones also helps combat imposter syndrome, eases the feeling that life is stagnant, and reminds you of just how much you’ve accomplished even when it doesn’t feel like it.

3. Journaling

Taking a few minutes out of your day to reflect and write out key highlights. How you felt, what your thoughts were, and what happened throughout the day, can help you slow down, declutter your mind, and stop yourself from fast-forwarding through parts of your life. It helps you stay present.

As cringe as it may sound, this practice is especially powerful if you’re an overthinker or someone who worries a lot. By clearing your thoughts onto paper, you create mental space, gain perspective, and begin to see patterns in your feelings and actions that you might otherwise miss.

4. Take a walk or move your body

Taking a walk or engaging in any form of exercise helps keep both your body and mind centered, slowing you down in real time. The progress you make from moving your body is gradual, it can’t be rushed or faked, which naturally teaches patience and consistency. Exercise also releases endorphins, which boost your mood, increase your sense of well-being, and promote better mental health overall.

Final thoughts…

I hope these tips help you slow down and find more presence in your life. If you’ve tried any of them and noticed a positive impact on your mental health and overall well-being, I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to share your experience in the comments.