Does your life often (always) feel like its moving at warp speed? With work, kids, and the endless to-do lists. It’s easy to fall into the trap of rushing from one thing to the next without stopping to actually enjoy life. You’ve worked hard to build the life you have, why not start a slower way of living and enjoy it? What if we gave ourselves permission to do just that? To live more intentionally, savoring the small moments and shaping a life that feels purposeful instead of frantic?
The good news is that slow living isn’t about doing less for the sake of doing less. It’s about doing what matters most with presence, peace, and gratitude. And even with small kids (especially with small kids), it’s possible to add simple, intentional routines into your daily life.
Here are some gentle tips for starting a slower, more intentional way of living.
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1. Start with Your “Why”
Before you change anything in your schedule, ask yourself: Why do I want to start a slower way of living?
Do you want more time with your family? Are you over-scheduled and spread too thin? Or maybe you crave more joy in your everyday moments. Knowing your “why” becomes your reason when the world’s craziness tries to suck you back in.
2. Simplify Your Mornings
For many families, mornings set the tone for the entire day. Instead of starting in a chaotic rush, consider creating gentle morning routines:
- Light your favorite candle at breakfast.
- Play quiet music while everyone eats.
- Pack backpacks and lunches the night before.
- Let your little ones help in small, doable ways like stirring oatmeal or setting the table.
These tiny shifts bring a sense of routine and peace, even when mornings feel busy. I generally find that my kids have better days at school when our mornings aren’t chaotic, and my mood for work is better as well.
3. Create White Space in Your Days
Intentional living means leaving room for pauses. Children thrive in unstructured time too—it’s often when they’re most imaginative and content.
- Build in buffer time between activities.
- Leave open afternoons for walks, puzzles, or just being together.
- Resist the urge to over-schedule—slowness is where presence grows.
4. Focus on Routines
Routines can feel grounding. Try turning everyday tasks into cozy routines your whole family looks forward to. My kids thrive on routine. My daughter has anxiety and if something throws off her routine it sends her into a spiral. Some examples include:
- Afternoon tea or cocoa after school.
- Lighting a candle before dinner and saying something you’re grateful for.
- Reading the same story before bed each night.
Children love these simple routines—and they help everyone slow down together.
5. Declutter with Intention
Clutter is the bane of my existence. It creates stress without you realizing it. Just looking at clutter puts me on edge. Starting small can make a big difference.
- Keep toy baskets minimal and rotate toys instead of having everything out.
- Create one peaceful, uncluttered corner in your home.
- Donate or pass along things that no longer serve your family.
An uncluttered environment makes room for calm. If the thought of decluttering your stuff stresses you out, start with one closet or one drawer. Do one small space each weekend. It will make a difference.
6. Go Outside Daily
One of the simplest ways to slow down is to step outside. Fresh air resets both parents and kids.
- A short morning walk, even around the block (great for family pets too.)
- Playtime in the backyard without an agenda.
- Gardening together or letting kids dig in the dirt.
Nature has a way of slowing our breath and shifting our perspective.
7. Limit Screens, Embrace Connection
Screens aren’t the enemy, but they can easily take over our time and attention. Try swapping some screen time with family time:
- A board game or puzzle instead of TV.
- Involving kids in cooking dinner.
- A dance party in the living room.
Presence is the heart of intentional living, and connection always brings more joy than scrolling.
8. Embrace “Good Enough”
Slow living with children doesn’t mean life will look picture-perfect. It means choosing your presence over perfection.
- Dinner will usually be simple (and sometimes messy).
- The house won’t always be spotless.
- Bedtime might still feel chaotic.
But if you’re laughing, connecting, and showing up with love, you’re already living intentionally.
9. Practice Gratitude Together
Gratitude shifts the focus from what we lack to what we have. Teaching this to children is a gift that will serve them forever.
- Share one thing you’re thankful for at dinner.
- Keep a family gratitude jar and read the notes at the end of the month.
- Pause to notice small beauties together—a sunset, a flower, a cozy blanket. One of my kids’ favorite things is to find things they think are beautiful (sunsets are a big one) and take pictures of them. When one is feeling down or upset, we back and look at all the pictures of their beautiful things. It makes them feel better and they get to reflect on all the good in the world.
10. Give Yourself Grace
Starting a slower way of living isn’t about doing it all “right.” It’s about giving yourself permission to live at a gentler pace. Some days will feel slower, others won’t—and that’s okay.
The fact that you want to live more intentionally means you’re already on the path.
Final Thoughts
Living slowly with little ones doesn’t mean your days will always be quiet or neat. But it does mean you’ll notice more—the giggles at the breakfast table, the sun streaming through the window, the peace of bedtime stories.
By creating rhythms, building in pauses, and embracing simplicity, you’ll find yourself not just surviving the days but savoring them. And that’s what a slower, intentional life is all about.
Read my post Intentional Living: Finding Beauty in the Mundane for 5 gentle ways to bring intentionality into your everyday rhythm.
