In a world and society where the "correct" path seems predefined, living intentionally is a gentle decision to live in alignment with your own personal values and definition of success, regardless of whether and how they align with the standard. Choosing to slow down as part of the intentional living process inherently goes against the grain in a productivity- and achievement-centered society.

Slow living is an intentional living decision, and slow mothering is an intentional mothering decision. Slowing down in your motherhood journey is a choice you make every time you interact with your children. And, it drives how you experience your motherhood journey.

But what does slow mothering actually look like, especially when there's so much going on in our sometimes hectic day to day lives as working moms?

Defining the Slow Motherhood Journey

The thought of living a slower-paced life may bring up daydreams of quitting your job, moving to the countryside, and romanticizing every little bit of life. While I'm all about romanticizing life's precious little moments and we do indeed live on a small livestock farm with a big garden, my family is heavily reliant on my 9-5 income and there's no near-future reality that involves me leaving it.

The good news is, slow living doesn't have to be defined by any of those things. It first and foremost starts with your mindset about how you approach your days and your mothering. If you believe the only option to get out the door in the morning before work involves rushing, then you're going to wake up frazzled and rush all morning.

Slow mothering is a daily choice driven by presence. Rather than being defined by specific activities or aesthetics, it means choosing to be present with your children in the moment. Children are already operating on a smaller world scale than we are. Slow mothering is about meeting them there and joining in their experience of that world.

Slow mothering can manifest in many ways, but some of the simplest include noticing what they notice, involving them in your daily tasks, looking at them when they speak, sitting with them when they want a little break or a more leisurely mealtime, and supporting their interests. For me recently, it's meant dropping everything when my toddler randomly requests a hug, because who knows how long this sweet stage will last?

These shifts may seem small, but they can add up to a slower lived experience each day. If you're used to moving from task to task without break and shuffling your family along with you, stopping to notice an ant with your toddler on a family walk and not continuing until they're ready can feel like a challenge. But these moments build on one another and start to create a slower pace, even amid daily running to do lists.

Creating a Slower Motherhood Journey

There's so much going on in your life as a working mom. You have to get to work each day, manage the home and chores on your off time, and find time to nurture yourself along the way. The push to move along rather than engage with a slower motherhood journey is easy to give in to (and completely relatable!).

I wrote a short series about creating your own slow motherhood journey with a few simple steps. Explore these articles and consider using some of the tips and guidance to lean into a slower lifestyle right now, even if you've got a lot going on.

1. Mindset shifts: Integrate these mindset switches to open yourself up to a slower pace of motherhood.

2. Practical action steps: These practical action suggestions will get you started in being a more present, and therefore slower paced mom. Plus, this article includes a free meditation from my free resource Two-minute Reset Meditations for Routine Calm Days!

3. Tips for your journey: As you resolve to slow down in motherhood, find support and reassurance in these simple tips and reminders.

Commit to Slowing Down with these Resources

• The online yoga studio for busy, working moms seeking a slower way of life offers monthly pre-recorded yoga and meditation you can use to sink into a slower pace, plus a slow down framework where you can restructure your most overwhelming challenges into peaceful, rhythmic routines that support you and your family.

• Two-minute Reset Meditations for Routine Calm Days includes ten completely free two-minute meditations for you to capture a moment of calm right now, without spending an hour at the yoga studio or taking paid leave.

• The Mama Naturalist on my website and Substack is a space where I share both conceptual and practical guidance on slowing down, connecting to nature, and living seasonally.

• Mindful Moms Digest offers exclusive yoga and meditation classes, nature stories from a wildlife biologist (me!), and free, supportive resources including links back to every blog post for busy, working moms journeying toward a slower, more seasonal way of life.

• Cultivate Calm Mornings is a structured series of three yoga workshops that supports you in transforming your morning routine from chaotic to calm.