Why I Choose to Live a Simple, Slower Life
As I’ve connected with friends and other women, I’ve observed that there are many that feel this call to a slower, simpler life. A life of less. It can be counter-cultural and almost unheard of to move towards this way of being. To move towards less consuming, more connection. Less scrolling, more undistracted living. Less busyness, more presence.
In a world that seems to be encouraging hurry, striving, distraction, and endless drive for wealth or better things to own in our homes, our souls often become exhausted and filled with overwhelm.
We are told to “keep moving”, to strive for “more”, and to “accomplish this” so that we can have the world’s definition of a “good life”.
As sensitive souls who crave slowness and rest, we may grow to become disheartened and confused from this constant worldly narrative. We may grow to ask, “is this really the good life we are meant to live?”
We may begin to question ourselves and why we feel the opposite of what society says we should feel. We can feel left out, or that there may be something wrong with us for not feeling motivated or driven to follow this specific layout for our lives.
I came across this question for myself when I graduated college with a degree I wasn’t passionate about, but randomly chose because I thought I would be good at it. I had always felt as though my path was different than others. That instead of the shiny and safe path laid out before me, fast, hurried, and full of all the wrong things, my heart called me to an unpaved, dirt road that disappeared into the trees, unsure of where it would take me. A life of slowness, simplicity, intention, and adventure.
A life that seemed odd to others, but felt so definite to me.
While extremely scary, embracing this simpler, slower life and embarking on the unpaved road has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
Though the world may call this kind of living counter-cultural, strange, or even abnormal, God designed us to live a way where less is truly more.
To instead fill our homes with moments of love and presence instead of clutter and random belongings.
To instead fill our souls with words of truth and wisdom instead of other voices and societal pressures.
To instead fill our lives with moments of slowness instead of moments of rush.
To instead fill our minds with awareness and our own thoughts + ideas instead of constant distraction, scrolling, and continual comparison.
As an ordinary mom, wife, and woman of God, I choose to live a simple, slow, and minimal life so that I can focus on the connections and things in my life that truly matter. By clearing out the clutter both externally and internally, I can make room for more of what my soul longs for: healing, time, presence, and a cup that overflows with the small joys of life.
More connection with family. Less distraction.
More time to pour into my marriage and my children. Less clutter to clean.
More space to soak in God’s truth and His creation. Less busyness on the schedule.
More moments to be creative and encourage others. Less time to compare to others.
I do explain to the those I connect with that committing to this slower, more abundant way of living takes time. Embracing minimalism and following a slow rhythm of living doesn’t happen overnight. Especially in this busy world, it can be difficult to make all of these changes immediately.
But with small, simple steps, an open heart for learning, and an abundance of grace for yourself on this journey, it is very possible to get to a place of rest and simplicity that feels best to you.
Here are a few questions to give thought to to help you begin transitioning to a life of slowness, simplicity, and minimalism:
What does a peaceful, slow life look like to me?
Where in my life do I feel the most rushed or overwhelmed?
What’s one area in my home I could declutter today to create more simplicity?
How does my phone or social media use make me feel—rested or restless?
What commitments or responsibilities could I release to create more breathing room?
How can I create more intentional time for prayer, reflection, or stillness?
It is entirely possible to untangle ourselves from the intensity and striving of our world and allow ourselves to return to a softer, abundant way of living.
We don’t have to settle for the standard, safe path, but instead choose to trust in God to lead us on the unpaved path towards the slower, simpler, more abundant life He has for us.
x Katie
hi, I’m Katie, the heart behind this online safe haven for women.
Decluttering, simplifying, and embracing a slower pace of life is what brings me alive, but nothing compares to the joy of walking with Jesus. If you are a woman of faith trying to embrace a slower, simpler life of intention + presence, you’re in the right place.
