The need to slow down and savor the mundane is more prevalent now than ever. Between everything life throws at us, whether in our control or not, it can be so easy to get caught up in the noise and chaos. But it’s those tiny, low-effort habits, often overlooked, that calm us and bring us back to where we need to be. These are the practical habits that are keeping me sane and require minimal effort.
Simmering in slow mornings
I used to think my mornings needed to be filled with several little tasks that made me feel productive — journaling, stretching, early morning workouts, cooking a real breakfast, replying to text messages, and jotting down the day’s priorities in my planner. And while all those things are great, and I still incorporate them in my mornings here and there, I don’t feel the need to cram everything in just for a sense of self-satisfaction.
My ideal morning has no idea what it means to rush. In the mornings, when I do make my own coffee, I like to take my time. I’m allowed to take my time cleansing my face. I’m allowed to slow down and read this morning. I’m allowed to have a morning of me doing absolutely nothing, besides savoring the idea that I made it to see another day. If there’s a morning when I have to be busy, I don’t have to let the busyness own me.
Not treating rest like a reward
I have a right to rest, but it took some unlearning to come to this realization. College is where I developed an unhealthy relationship with rest because I would pull constant all-nighters to study, especially during finals week. I was treating rest like a reward, only allowing it if I finished just one more task. Rest isn’t something you earn; you deserve it simply because you exist. Rest is not a luxury. And it goes beyond sleeping — you have to rest emotionally, socially, creatively, and spiritually.
Doing things simply for enjoyment
I enjoy dabbling in hobbies that no one else has to witness. I recently told the group chat that I want to start coloring. It would force me to sit down, and nobody would see it but me, and I love that. The goal is to put my hands on something for fun — something that doesn’t require me to plan, strategize, stress, or think too much.
Moving my body
When I’m active, it positively affects my mood — hello, dopamine. Whether I’m walking, doing goblet squats, or taking a yoga class, it feels great to move. It’s a privilege to be able to move my body how I want to, when I want to. When I’m lacking in physical activity, it shows; I feel it. Make it a goal to move your body more, and I promise you’ll not only see a physical difference, but a mental one as well.
Crying (I’m serious)
There’s something oddly satisfying about a good cry session. I treat crying like an act of releasing. There are several benefits of crying that may surprise you. It instantly makes me feel lighter afterwards; that lets me know how badly my body needed to sing that song. I used to feel ashamed or embarrassed when I felt emotions that didn’t reflect joy, ease, or contentment. But realistically, I’m not going to always feel those things. I’ve had to shed many tears at some point or another, especially within the last few months, so that whatever feeling I was bottling up wouldn’t later fester into an unnamed frustration towards myself or others.
Creating Pinterest boards
Most of my Pinterest boards are private, but I’m not joking when I say I have a Pinterest board for everything. I’ll get bored and make another without hesitation. I create boards for whatever I want — nail designs, outfit ideas, recipes, memes, bookish content, hairstyles, and too many mood boards to count. It’s the perfect downtime at the end of your day.
Journaling my heart away
I told my friends that when I leave this earth, my journals need to be burned or buried with me. Maybe I’ll grow out of this, but the idea of someone reading my journal makes me want to run in traffic. Journaling is a sacred practice, even when you aren’t writing about anything serious.
I’m occasionally asked how to start journaling, but I don’t have a profound answer. You just start! You write — write badly, write messily, just write. It’s incredible to look back and see how far you’ve grown, how much you’ve pivoted, because you have a physical record of your life.
Putting my phone down
I have to constantly remind myself that it’s okay to put my phone down; I’m not missing out on anything. Like many others, I get caught up scrolling on social apps, and my average screen time can get ridiculous. But I know when it’s time to leave the house or pick up a book or do anything else that’ll get me off my phone.