The best slow living books to learn more about the movement and adapt its principles to your own life.
For the ones enjoying a slow living lifestyle, the ticking clock is not an oppressive overlord, but merely a gentle reminder that moments are passing – moments to be savoured, not squandered.
For decades, society has peddled the notion that busyness equates to importance, and rapidity equals productivity. In the frenetic pursuit of more, we’ve raced through life with blurred vision, seldom pausing to truly see, hear, or feel the world and its kaleidoscopic experiences. Slow living is the metaphorical deep exhale amid the chaos, embracing the steady and deliberate, and celebrating quality over quantity.
Slow living is a conscious, inclusive choice available and adaptable to all. It’s an invitation to extract oneself from the frenetic rat race and instead meander along a path where experiences are appreciated fully, and relationships, not achievements, are the bedrock of worth. It’s where mindfulness becomes the default mode, enabling a richer, deeper engagement with the present.
Whether you are already embracing a slower pace of life, or you are curious to discover more about the slow living movement, we gathered the 10 best slow living books to give you a glimpse into what your life could be like if you slowed down a little.
Table of Contents
In Praise of Slow: How a Worldwide Movement is Challenging the Cult of Speed By Carl Honore
In Praise of Slow: How a Worldwide Movement is Challenging the Cult of Speed by Carl Honoré dives into the compelling world of the Slow Movement, which challenges our obsession with speed and instant gratification. Honoré explores diverse realms – from slow food and slow cities to slow work and slow sex – illustrating a global shift towards appreciating slowness. The book interweaves anecdotes and research, offering readers a critique of our speed-obsessed society and a persuasive argument for why and how we should embrace a more unhurried, mindful, and quality-focused approach to living.
Wintering: The power of rest and retreat in difficult times by Katherine May
Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May is a poignant exploration of the metaphorical “wintering” periods of our lives—times of retreat, stagnancy, or hardship. May intertwines her own experiences with eclectic stories of others and varied cultural practices surrounding winter, presenting a narrative that delicately champions the transformative power of rest and retreat. The book becomes a comforting companion, whispering that it is both natural and essential to take steps back, to embrace fallow periods with grace, and ultimately, to emerge from them revitalised, having garnered unexpected insights during our metaphorical winters.
Slow: Live Life Simply by Brooke McAlary
Slow: Live Life Simply by Brooke McAlary encapsulates a transformative journey from a life enveloped in chaos to one underscored by simplicity and mindfulness. Through personal narratives interspersed with practical advice, McAlary beckons readers to reconsider their own rhythms and priorities, advocating for a life less frantic and more purposeful. The book transcends mere theory, providing tangible insights into decluttering physical spaces and mental and digital realms. Amidst its pages, readers are invited to find their own path to a slower, more intentional existence, discovering therein a quiet yet profound rebellion against relentless modern haste.
Soulful Simplicity: How Living with Less Can Lead to So Much More by Courtney Carver
Soulful Simplicity: How Living with Less Can Lead to So Much More by Courtney Carver invites readers into a journey from a life overshadowed by stress and excess to one illuminated by simplicity and mindful presence. Carver shares her personal trajectory, marked by a life-altering diagnosis, towards embracing minimalism and discarding the superfluous, both materially and metaphorically. The book tenderly advocates for carving out space for joy and connection, underlining that simplicity isn’t merely about having less but rather about making room for more: more authenticity, more engagement, and more moments of genuine, unhurried contentment. A thoughtful guide for anyone seeking to distil their life to its most meaningful essence.
The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down: How to be Calm in a Busy World by Haemin Sunim
The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down: How to be Calm in a Busy World by Haemin Sunim provides a contemplative exploration into finding tranquillity amidst the chaos of our frenzied lives. Written by a Zen Buddhist teacher, the book encapsulates profound wisdom on navigating life’s complexities, embracing stillness, and discovering serene insights that often remain obscured in haste. Through eloquent reflections and life-affirming aphorisms, Sunim gently guides readers towards inner peace, inviting them to decelerate and immerse in the abundant tranquillity and discernment that unfurls when we deliberately choose calmness and mindfulness amidst life’s incessant bustle.
Buy The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down here.
Seeking Slow: Reclaim Moments of Calm in Your Day by Melanie Barnes
Seeking Slow: Reclaim Moments of Calm in Your Day by Melanie Barnes presents a heartfelt entreaty to unearth tranquillity in the maelstrom of our perpetually busy lives. Barnes illuminates the path to a more considered and intentional life, unwinding the threads of our often self-imposed busyness, and elegantly knitting together a tapestry of slow living principles, personal stories, and practical advice. The book tenderly encourages readers to eschew the cult of speed and discover the profound simplicity and quiet joy that can be found in deliberately choosing to slow down, cherish moments, and revel in a calm, thoughtful existence.
Zen: The Art of Simple Living by Shunmyo Masuno
Zen: The Art of Simple Living by Shunmyo Masuno proffers 100 succinct meditations that gently guide readers towards a life of serene simplicity. Authored by a Zen monk, the book radiates peaceful wisdom, unravelling enlightening insights into the practices and philosophies that underpin a Zen approach to living. With each meditation, Masuno explores the depth found in simplicity, encouraging readers to pare back their lives and find tranquillity in minimalist practices. The work is both a calming breath and a gentle guide, whispering timeless wisdom about the profound peace and quiet joy that can blossom from a simple, mindful existence.
Buy Zen: The Art of Simple Living here.
The Joy of Missing Out by Tanya Dalton
The Joy of Missing Out by Tanya Dalton serves as an invigorating guide, urging readers to eschew the overwhelm of ceaseless busyness and instead, embrace intentional living. Dalton introduces a transformative approach to productivity, asserting that the key to true fulfilment lies not in the pursuit of more, but in appreciating the joy of missing out – or JOMO. By sharing pragmatic advice, actionable strategies, and personal anecdotes, the book encourages readers to recalibrate their priorities, create purposeful plans, and thereby discover a richer, more meaningful life. Dalton’s narrative unfolds a pathway towards living less stretched and more immersed in purposeful pursuits.
Buy The Joy of Missing Out here.
The Key to Happiness: How to Find Purpose by Unlocking the Secrets of the World’s Happiest People by Meik Wiking
The Key to Happiness: How to Find Purpose by Unlocking the Secrets of the World’s Happiest People by Meik Wiking delves into the intricate tapestry of contentment by exploring the habits and mindsets of the world’s most joyful populations. Wiking, CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen, amalgamates scientific research, poignant anecdotes, and cultural insights to uncover the kernels of genuine happiness. He propounds that understanding and incorporating specific practices, such as creating a sense of purpose and fostering community, can significantly elevate our life satisfaction. This elegantly penned book serves as a guide and a companion, gently steering readers towards their own path of sustained happiness.
Buy The Key to Happiness here.
Main image: Cottonbro
