How to Be Productive Without Burning Out: The Slow Living Method

As I was working through my master's program, I was obsessed with the whole productivity movement. I would go days time-blocking my life down to 5-minute increments, forcing myself to create even when I was uninspired,nd pushing my body even when I was exhausted. This, inevitably, led to burnout. I used to cycle through these days of uber-productivity, crash and spend a couple of days being a social-media-scrolling couch potato, feel bad about myself, and start the cycle all over again.

This obviously was not sustainable. I found an antidote in the concept of slow living. Slow living is an invitation to savor life and embrace the beauty of intention in everything we do. It’s not about taking advantage of every moment, but rather enjoying every moment. Today, let’s explore the art of cultivating a slow living mindset and how it can transform the way you approach work and productivity.

Understanding Slow Living

Before we dive into the practical aspects of slow productivity, let’s go over the essentials:

Mindfulness: Be present in each moment. Turn the TV off at dinner, put the phone down when you’re talking to your partner, pay attention to your surroundings on your daily walk.

Intention: Make conscious choices that align with your values and priorities. Don’t just drift through your day; take charge of your time and own your choices.

Simplicity: Declutter your life. This doesn’t just apply to your physical space; you also need to clean out your mind. Donate the clothes you’ll never wear, let go of the projects you’ll never complete, and give up holding onto the attitudes and thought patterns bringing you down.

Connection: Work on fostering deeper connections with yourself, others, and the world around you. Even just saying hello to a stranger can help to foster a feeling of belonging.

Embracing Simplicity: Let Go of What's Not Working

The first thing I realized when I first began my slow living journey was that I was taking on way too much. I was working two jobs. I was experimenting with three side hustles. I had multiple hobbies and about a dozen unfinished projects in my closet.

Every time I came home and looked around at the pile of stuff, all I could feel was an overwhelming sense of failure. I would never be able to live up to all of these different things I wanted myself to be. I had to force myself to let some things go. You can still be productive while embracing slow living, but you have to find your focus and release the things that aren’t working. Some ways I’ve embraced simplicity are:

• Donated 75% of my closet and created a capsule wardrobe I love.
• Closed out all the open tabs on my laptop.
• Put away the knitting project I abandoned months ago.
• Decluttered my desk.
• Cut my waist-long hair.

Automate Everything: Be Kind to Your Mind & Reduce Decision Fatigue

A big part of my slow living journey was reducing my sense of overwhelm. Every time I sat down at my computer, I would stare at my home screen, wondering what it was I wanted to do. Every time my partner asked, “What do you want for dinner?” I spent twenty minutes stressing over what I wanted to eat and trying to compare that with what was good for me and what we had in the fridge. Now, I plan ahead. Making all these mundane decisions ahead of time not only allows me to automate my schedule and reduce decision fatigue, but also ultimately allows me more time to do the important stuff.

Spend some time at the beginning of each week deciding what you want to do each day. Plan your meals and make sure you have everything you need in the fridge. Look at your calendar and choose the One Big Thing you need to get done that day in advance. Offload mundane tasks. Automating allows me to focus on the task at hand instead of worrying about what to do next. It allows me to be present in the moment instead of fretting about how much time had passed and how much I need to get done. Some examples of how I’ve automated my life are:

• Developed a strong morning routine (more on this later) which allows me to move through my morning with peace and intention.
• Use automatic pet feeders so I know my pets will always be fed on time.
• Set screen time limits on my social media apps to limit mindless scrolling.
• Create weekly meal plans to simplify grocery shopping and weeknight cooking.
• Make reminders on my calendar for everything from bill payments to when to put up my Halloween decorations so I never miss an important task.

Pay Yourself First: You Are Your Own #1

There’s this saying in finance to “Pay Yourself First.” For money, this means setting aside cash for savings and investments before using it to pay bills. For slow living, this means giving yourself the time you need to take care of yourself first, before being “productive.” It used to be that I would come home from work and jump on my computer to try and get some writing down, only to find myself mindlessly scrolling social media. I wasn’t paying myself first and was forcing myself to spend mental energy when my brain bank account was empty.

Now, I pay myself first. I come home and do things that fill my brain bank account before I even think about doing anything productive. I change out of my work clothes. I light some incense. Play my cello. Walk the dog. Once my mental cup is filled, then I’m ready to do some chores, make dinner, or work on a side project. On those rare days I’m just mentally bankrupt and no amount of self-care is going to do it for me, I don’t force it. I ask my partner to make dinner, and I lay on the couch with a good book or an interesting documentary. Kindness is the name of the game here. Some other ways I’ve paid myself are:

• Wake up early enough that I can do something I enjoy before needing to go to work.
• Step away from my desk during lunch so I’m not seen as “available.”
• Schedule regular breaks throughout the day to recharge.
• Enforced boundaries at my job by not taking my work home with me.
• Committed to a daily journaling practice.

Cultivate Gratitude: Every Day Counts

I used to always be obsessed with the Next Big Thing. When I was in high school, it was about getting into a good college. Then I got into a good college, and I started worrying about getting a good job. Then I got the good job, and I started worrying about going to grad school. I lost most of my teens and early twenties constantly stressing that I wasn’t doing enough. I got sucked into this productivity craze because I was constantly stressed about moving forward in life. I wasn’t living in the moment.

The most important thing I did for myself was start keeping a gratitude journal. I started reflecting on each day and picking something I was thankful for. Gratitude shifted my perspective from what I was lacking to what was abundant in my life. Many days, this was a warm cup of tea, a friendly Starbucks barista, or a cuddle from my cats. I became a happier, more present-minded person, and in turn, my productivity skyrocketed.

Conclusion: A Life of Purpose and Fulfillment

Cultivating a slow living mindset is not about doing everything at a snail’s pace. It’s about living with intention, finding joy in what you have, and prioritizing what really matters. As I’ve embarked on this journey, I’ve discovered that I’m enjoying my life more and finding a deeper sense of purpose and fulfillment in everything I do.

In a world that's always racing forward, slow living encourages us to take a step back, appreciate the present moment, and remember that every day counts. By understanding the principles of mindfulness, embracing simplicity, automating what we can, paying ourselves first, and cultivating gratitude, we can lead a life that's not just productive but also deeply meaningful.

Slow living is not a destination; it's a continuous journey. So, start today. Take a deep breath, slow down, and let intention guide your path to a life of purpose and fulfillment.

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