The Art of Slow Living: How to Cultivate Effortless Style, Beauty, and a Home That Feels Like You

Last weekend, I spent the whole thing doing…absolutely nothing. No Instagram, no to-do lists, no rushing. Just me, a pot of loose-leaf tea, and the soft hum of my record player..........

Feb 03, 2025

Last weekend, I spent the whole thing doing…absolutely nothing. No Instagram, no to-do lists, no rushing. Just me, a pot of loose-leaf tea, and the soft hum of my record player. By Monday, I felt more inspired, more me, and realized how ‘slow living’ isn’t lazy, it’s revolutionary. Here’s how to apply its magic to your wardrobe, beauty routine, and space. (Hell. I felt so inspired I actually felt like writing this. 😲)

Fashion Without the Frenzy

Forget ‘Microtrends’: Build a Capsule Wardrobe That Actually Excites You

It’s 2021, and I’m standing in my post-shift apartment surrounded by three nearly identical pairs of compression socks (all beige, because “neutrals are timeless”), a sequined top I swore I’d wear to brunch (still tagged, two years later), and a pile of “weekend jeans” that haven’t left my drawer since back-to-back shifts became my norm. I felt like a character in a Kafka novel, trapped in a loop of buying things I didn’t need, TikTok whispering, “Treat yourself! You deserve cute loungewear after saving lives!” Sound familiar?

Free A minimalist display of colorful sweaters and shirts on white hangers. Stock Photo — caption...

That’s when I quit fast fashion cold turkey and embraced slow style, not as a moral obligation, but as a radical act of self-respect. Here’s how to build a wardrobe that feels effortless, not exhausting:

Step 1: The 3-Question Rule

Before buying anything new (yes, even that viral “vanilla girl” cardigan), ask yourself:

“Do I love this, or do I just love the idea of it?” (Spoiler: If it’s dry-clean-only and you’re a spaghetti-stain magnet, skip it.)
“Can I wear this three different ways?” (Example: A silk midi skirt works with sneakers for coffee, heeled boots for date night, or a cropped sweater for brunch.)
“Will I still want this in two years?” (If it’s a microtrend like “tomato girl red” or hyper-specific cutouts…probably not.)

Step 2: Color Palette Freedom

Your neutrals don’t have to be beige. Mine are deep navy (it makes brown eyes glow like honey in sunlight) and warm charcoal (a chic, modern neutral that pairs just as easily with crisp white denim as it does with rich leather accents). Here’s how to find yours:

Look to your décor. The tones you’re drawn to in your home (mine: warm, earthy hues) often mirror what flatters you.
Raid your laundry pile. Notice which colors you gravitate toward weekly; those are your unintentional “basics.”
Break the rules. Pair “clashing” tones like cobalt blue and mustard yellow, if it makes you smile, it works. (While I don’t like Mustard Yellow, I think its nasty really. BUT I have seen some people actually pull it off!)

Step 3: Thrifted Staples (Yes, Really)

Forget flimsy fast-fashion blazers. Hunt for secondhand gems that age like wine:

Linen blazers: Look for structured shoulders and minimal lining.
90s Levi’s: The thicker denim holds its shape; size up for a slouchy fit.
Silk scarves: Tie them to handbags, wear as headbands, or frame them as art. 🤷🏿‍♀️

Pro tip: If thrifting overwhelms you, try a “one in, one out” rule. For every new piece, donate one that no longer sparks joy.

Your Slow Fashion Checklist

☐ Audit your closet: What have you worn at least 3 times in the past month? Keepers.
☐ Pick 2-3 “joy colors” to guide future buys.
☐ Bookmark one local thrift shop to explore this weekend.

Remember: Style isn’t about keeping up, it’s about waking up excited to wear what’s yours.

Beauty as Ritual, Not Chore

Your 10-Minute Glow-Up: Why Less Product Really Is More

Let’s be real: My beauty routine used to feel like a part-time job. Between the 12-step serums, the “viral” tools gathering dust in my drawer, and the pressure to look “effortlessly perfect” by 8 a.m., I’d started dreading my mirror. Then I realized—beauty shouldn’t feel like a chore. It should feel like lighting a candle just for you, or savoring that first sip of coffee. Here’s how to turn your routine into a ritual:

Step 1: Morning Magic (That Takes 5 Minutes, I Swear)

Ice Globe Zen
Roll reusable ice globes (or a chilled jade roller) under your eyes and across your cheeks. The cold depuffs and wakes up your skin, no products needed. For extra calm, hum your favorite song while you glide.
Lash-and-Brow Fluff
Brush clear gel through brows, then swipe the same gel lightly on lashes. Skip mascara, this gives a “I’m-slightly-more-awake” look. Brown-eyed bonus: Dab a hint of shimmery gold shadow (it pops against dark eyes) at the inner corners.
Berry Kiss & Blush
Use a buildable berry balm on lips and cheeks. Warm it between fingers, tap onto cheekbones, and blend. Pro tip: Deeper skin tones shine with rich, blue-toned berries (think blackberry, not strawberry).

Philosophy: “Your morning ritual isn’t about ‘fixing’ yourself. It’s the 30 seconds you take to massage sunscreen into your skin, thinking, I deserve to feel protected today.”

Free Close-up of a professional makeup brush set and cosmetics on a table for beauty use. Stock Photo

Step 2: Evening Unwind (No 10-Step Routine Required)

Double Cleanse with Intention:
- First: A blue tansy oil balm (the scent is calming; the blue hue feels like a tiny luxury).
- Second: A creamy cleanser with ceramides, massage it in circles while humming your favorite song.
One Active, Zero Guilt: Pick one hero ingredient (I alternate between bakuchiol and azelaic acid) and let it work overnight.
Slugging, But Make It ~Aesthetic~: Warm a drop of marula oil between your palms, press it into your skin, and pretend you’re at a spa in Santorini.

Tip: Store your products in a small cobalt bowl (blue love!), turning your sink into a curated moment.

Step 3: The Joy of Tools You Actually Use

Jade Gua Sha: Keep it in the fridge and glide it over your face while watching Netflix or something. No fancy technique, just upward strokes.
Fave Lip Combo: A brown-nude liner (perfect for deep skin tones) and a blue-red tinted balm for pops of color that feel you.
Hair Oiling Simplified: Warm 3 drops of rosemary oil, rake it through your ends pre-shower, and let it soak while you sip tea.

Confession: I ditched my $200 LED mask for a $15 face mist. Guess which one I actually use? 😃

Your Anti-Chore Beauty Checklist

☐ Ditch one product that feels like obligation (for me: contour stick).
☐ Add one sensory joy (a luxe balm, a candle you love).
☐ Try the cold spoon trick tomorrow, tag me if you do! (This is more of a “I-want-to-see-if-that-really-works”.)

Remember: Beauty isn’t a checklist. It’s the quiet moment you steal for yourself—a blue-hued balm, a warm oil massage, the way your skin glows when you’ve prioritized joy.

Décor That Doesn’t Scream ‘Pinterest’

How to Create a Home That Feels Collected, Not Cluttered

Let me confess: I once bought a beige linen sofa because everyone said it was “timeless.” Turns out, it made my living room look like a dentist’s waiting area. Lesson learned: Your space should whisper your name, not Joanna Gaines’. Here’s how to ditch the inspo boards and design a home that’s unapologetically you:
(I actually regret buying that sofa so much. Everything in my house is basically blue. Like Beige??? Not even white. But BEIGE????)

Step 1: Raid Your Own History

Forget “aesthetic” art. Frame these instead:

A postcard from your solo trip to Lisbon. (Or pictures of places you have been too! If you didn’t take pictures, uh, find pictures online then?)
A page torn from your favorite childhood book.
That concert ticket stub you kept in your wallet for years.

Why it works: “Your walls should tell stories, not just match your throw pillows.”

Step 2: Texture Mash-Up

Clashing is key. Pair:

A nubby, hand-knit throw (your aunt’s questionable Christmas gift) with a sleek, thrifted marble side table.
A vintage rattan chair against a glossy, navy-painted wall (blue love!).
Velvet curtains with a jute rug.

Bonus: Add a disco ball in the corner. Because why not?

Step 3: The “Third Thing” Rule

Every room needs one weirdo item that makes guests say, “Huh?” Examples:

A neon sign above your grandma’s heirloom china cabinet.
A stack of vintage Nat Geo mags as a bedside table.
A $5 thrifted lamp shaped like a flamingo.

Philosophy: “If it makes you laugh or sigh with nostalgia, it belongs.”
Example: I have a big NEON Lego statue in my Living room.

Link!

Your Anti-Pinterest Checklist

☐ Swap one generic décor item for something personal (e.g., framed poem > mass-produced abstract art).
☐ Add one texture clash (silk + concrete, leather + lace).
☐ Hunt for your “Third Thing” at a flea market this weekend. (Or on the side of the road, you WON’T believe the cool stuff people throw away to the curb.)

The Lifestyle Shift: Small Joys, Big Impact

Why ‘Slow Living’ Isn’t Just for Cottage-core Influencers

A few months ago, I tried to overhaul my entire life in a weekend. I bought a $70 planner, meal-prepped 14 identical kale salads, and vowed to wake up at 5 a.m. to journal. By Tuesday, I was burnout incarnate, eating cold pizza in bed. Turns out, tiny joys spark bigger shifts than grand gestures. Here’s how to embrace slow living, without the pressure to “optimize” your existence:

1. Batch-Cook One Freezable Thing

Forget 7-day meal plans. Pick one cozy, freezable dish (think: coconut curry, lentil soup, or spicy bean chili) and make a double batch every Sunday. Stash half in the freezer for chaotic nights. Bonus: Use your favorite blue ceramic bowl to eat it, joy matters more than presentation. (Have I mentioned the color “Blue” enough?)

2. Screens Down, Playlist Up

Swap 30 minutes of late-night scrolling for a curated nostalgia playlist. Mine’s called “2008 Teen Angst” (yes, it’s all Fall Out Boy). Light a candle, doodle in the margins of a book, or just stare at the ceiling. Rule: No “productivity” allowed.

3. Host an Analog Night

Invite friends over for:

Board games (the jankier the better, my crew’s obsessed with a thrifted 1993 Trivial Pursuit).
Handwritten letters (write one to your future self or a faraway pal).
A “no phones” rule (enforced by tossing them into a basket lined with that funky thrifted scarf you never wear).

4. The 5-Minute Reset

When overwhelm hits:

Spritz a blue linen spray (water + a drop of eucalyptus oil) on your couch or pillow.
Eat one square of dark chocolate slowly, like it’s a $500 truffle.
Step outside (And TOUCH GRASS) and name three things you hear (birds, distant traffic, your neighbor’s wind chimes).

Your Slow Living Starter Kit

☐ Freeze one meal this week (even if it’s leftover pasta).
☐ Delete one app that drains you (RIP, Twitter (Yes, I will STAY deadnaming that app.)).
☐ Text a friend: “Analog night this Friday? I’ll bring the glitter pens.”

Slow living isn’t about doing less, it’s about savoring more. Even your morning coffee tastes better in that chipped thrifted mug you refuse to part with. What tiny joy will you reclaim today?

This week, I challenge you to ditch one ‘should’ (that ugly ass vase you keep because it’s trendy or that 12-step skincare routine that you keep trying that IS NOT working.). Replace it with something that feels authentically you. Hit reply and tell me what it’ll be, I read every reply.