Amid uncertainty, people are learning to slow down
I was reading a study the other day that caught my attention: “Amid ongoing instability and an accelerating pace of life, people are slowing down, rediscovering joy in small moments, and focusing on what they can control, however small it might seem.”
How wonderful is this? Amid all the chaos, people are finding ways to pause, to notice, and to reclaim small pockets of joy. Life often feels like a constant rush - meetings, emails, decisions, deadlines - but even in that, there are tiny moments we can influence. A deliberate breath, a short pause, a moment of focus. They may seem small, but they carry more impact than we often realise.
Why now? Why are we rediscovering the joy in small moments? Perhaps it’s because life has become less predictable. The past few years have reminded us how little we can control beyond our own actions, how quickly routines can be disrupted, and how easily overwhelm can creep in. Add to that the constant stream of notifications, endless decisions, and the pressure to keep up, and slowing down starts to feel less like a luxury and more like a necessity.
It might also be that we’ve collectively become more aware of the impact of stress and busyness on our wellbeing. People are noticing that constantly doing, rushing, and achieving doesn’t always lead to clarity, fulfilment or ‘success’. And these moments of joy, we are realising, live in small moments - moments we can create intentionally, rather than wait for.
These moments might be as simple as taking a breath before a meeting, allowing a few minutes in the morning to decide what truly matters today, or celebrating a small win that we might otherwise not notice. It could be a short walk, a quiet cup of tea, or a few minutes to just notice your surroundings.
These gestures are small, almost invisible in the flow of a day. And yet, over time, they ripple outward. They create clarity, presence, and a sense of calm. They allow you to act intentionally rather than drift through the day on autopilot.
Slowing down is not doing less. It’s about noticing, choosing, and acting with intention. It’s about the small, deliberate ways you connect with what matters and the space you create for your life to unfold more clearly, more calmly, more fully.
And when you give yourself permission to do that, to be deliberate in even the tiniest moments, it changes everything. The day feels lighter. Decisions feel clearer. The noise, at least for a while, fades, and you can see the path forward - one small, meaningful step at a time.
A simple 3-step practice to slow down
Notice: Pause for a moment. Feel your body, your breath, and your surroundings. What’s happening right now? What small things can you influence in this moment?
Choose: Pick one small, intentional action you can take today that aligns with what matters most to you. It could be as simple as a mindful pause before a meeting, noticing someone around you, or acknowledging a small win.
Reflect: At the end of the day, take a minute to reflect. What moments felt meaningful? Which choices gave you a sense of calm or clarity? What could you carry forward tomorrow? And my favourite - what am I grateful for?
Even these small, consistent steps create space to notice, focus, and act with intention. Over time, they ripple out - helping you move through uncertainty with steadier footing and a little more ease.
