Long before the term “slow living” was coined, many of us sensed its principles on a deeper, almost unconscious level. It’s as if we recognized them before we could name them, much like a memory surfacing from the depths of our psyche. Slow living taps into something primal within us—a part of our mind yearning for balance, simplicity, and a deliberate way of being.
I have been a big fan of slow living even before I knew there was a name for it. For me, the gateway to this perspective of living, was my move from Brazil to the Netherlands. Living in a big city like São Paulo, I was always running around and in a hurry every single day. Having my life turned upside down because of the immigration, I was invited by life to calm down. To experience life in a different way. To learn to appreciate.
Slow living allows me to have more intentional daily life, creating small rituals around me, it helps me to better appreciate nature and life as whole.
I hope you can read this article without rushing yourself. Maybe you can prepare a delicious cup of tea/coffee, settle into your favorite spot, and intentionally enjoy the moment. Slowly.
From a psychoanalytic perspective, our unconscious mind plays a crucial role in how we experience time and life’s rhythms. Many of us rush through life, driven by unconscious desires—the need for success, validation, or the fear of inadequacy—without fully realizing why.
Before we name it, slow living exists in the realm of what psychoanalyst Jacques Lacan would call the “Real”—the part of life that is felt but remains outside language, a raw experience of being that we intuit without fully understanding. We feel the strain of modern life’s pace, the disconnection from our bodies and surroundings, and the urge for something slower, more authentic. This is where slow living emerges—not as a constructed identity or lifestyle, but as a movement back toward our true selves, unburdened by societal expectations or ego-driven demands.

In Freudian terms, slow living can be seen as a way to reconnect with the “pleasure principle,” which seeks satisfaction in the here and now, rather than being governed by the “reality principle,” which demands we delay gratification in the pursuit of long-term goals. By embracing slow living, we start to disentangle ourselves from the overworked superego—the internalized voice of societal expectations—and make space for the spontaneous, childlike part of us that finds joy in the present moment.

Carl Jung, from an analytical perspective, might suggest that slow living aligns us with the rhythms of our collective unconscious, those deeper archetypal patterns of life that value balance and harmony over productivity and achievement. In a world obsessed with speed, slow living reawakens our awareness of these ancient, cyclical rhythms—the cycle of seasons, the natural ebb and flow of energy, and the need for rest and reflection. It helps us find a connection between the conscious self and the unconscious patterns that have always been guiding us, long before we named this way of life.

Psychoanalysis teaches us that our relationship to time is often shaped by our early experiences, our unresolved desires, and our internalized fears. We may speed through life to avoid confronting the emptiness we fear will emerge if we slow down. Yet, by embracing the principles of slow living, we allow ourselves to confront what we’ve been running from—the unresolved emotions, the unmet needs, the parts of us we have neglected. In slowing down, we create a space for these parts of ourselves to surface, to be integrated, and to heal.
Slow living invites us to bring these inner forces into awareness and reorient our lives around more meaningful, fulfilling values. But how do we practically engage in this shift? Below are some tips to help you incorporate slow living into your daily life:
1. Cultivate Presence Through Mindful Practices
Much of our rushing comes from being trapped in thoughts about the future or regrets about the past. To slow down, try incorporating mindful activities into your routine. This could be something as simple as taking a few moments each morning to breathe deeply or practicing mindful walking. Start by focusing on the sensation of your feet touching the ground or the feeling of the air around you. Over time, this cultivates a deeper connection to the present moment, freeing you from the internal drive to be constantly doing.
2. Set Boundaries Around Time
Psychoanalysis reminds us that our relationship to time is often shaped by unconscious pressures. The internalized voice of societal expectations (the superego) can push us to overwork and overstretch. To break this pattern, practice saying “no” more often. Set boundaries that protect your time for rest, reflection, and joy. Block out time for unstructured activities—like reading, gardening, or simply sitting with your thoughts. When you create these spaces, you align with your natural rhythms rather than external demands.
3. Engage in Deep Work or Flow States
In contrast to multitasking, deep work is about focusing intently on one task at a time. Psychologists have shown that entering a “flow state” increases both productivity and satisfaction. When you slow down and give your full attention to a single activity—whether it’s cooking, writing, or a creative project—you not only reduce stress but also achieve a sense of fulfillment that’s often missing in rushed, fragmented efforts. Choose one task each day to do with total focus, and notice how much more rewarding it becomes.
4. Create Rituals for Everyday Tasks
Everyday activities like making tea, cleaning, or preparing a meal can be transformed into mindful rituals. Instead of seeing them as chores to rush through, bring a sense of intentionality and presence to these actions. As Carl Jung might suggest, engaging in simple, repetitive tasks can connect us to archetypal rhythms that bring peace and order. A morning coffee ritual, for example, becomes a moment of grounding—a pause before the day’s demands begin.
5. Practice Digital Detox
Much of the pressure to live at high speed comes from our constant connection to technology and the flood of information we consume. Consider scheduling regular digital detoxes, where you disconnect from screens and social media for a few hours or even a whole day. This break allows you to reconnect with yourself and the world around you, rather than being pulled into the endless cycle of distraction. During these detoxes, pay attention to how your mind slows and your thoughts settle, helping you uncover what’s really important.

6. Reflect on Your Inner Drives
Psychoanalysis encourages us to examine the unconscious motives that influence our behavior. Journaling or self-reflection can help you uncover why you feel the need to always be busy or why slowing down makes you anxious. Are you avoiding uncomfortable feelings? Are you trying to prove your worth through constant productivity? Bringing these unconscious patterns to light helps release their hold on you, making it easier to embrace a slower, more intentional life.
7. Embrace the Joy of Missing Out (JOMO)
The fear of missing out (FOMO) often drives us to overload our schedules and constantly stay connected. But slow living encourages the opposite—embracing the joy of missing out. Start by recognizing that you don’t need to do everything or be everywhere to live a rich, meaningful life. Let go of the pressure to keep up with every social event or trend, and instead, find contentment in fewer, more fulfilling experiences.
8. Listen to Your Body’s Needs
Slow living involves tuning into your body’s signals rather than overriding them.
Are you tired? Rest.
Are you hungry? Eat mindfully.
Are you restless? Move.
Often, our fast-paced lives disconnect us from our bodies, causing us to ignore our natural needs in favor of deadlines or schedules. Pay close attention to how your body responds throughout the day, and honor its requests for nourishment, movement, or rest.
In the end, slow living is about reconnecting with your inner world—your desires, needs, and rhythms—and learning to live from that place of alignment. Before we knew its name, slow living existed in the background of our lives, much like the unconscious mind, quietly guiding us toward what truly matters. By integrating these practices, you can begin to live more mindfully, not just in theory, but in the tangible moments of your everyday life.
Slow living is not a rejection of modernity but a reclamation of our deepest values, helping us to live in harmony with both our external world and the quiet, inner voice that has always been there, reminding us we already know the way.
This article is my invitation for you to observe the way you live, and perhaps think about it.
Go slowly!
Angela

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