The Practical Guide to Slow Mothering: Part Three
You're ready to ditch the overwhelm you've been feeling day in and out as you navigate motherhood alongside a full- or part-time job and everything in between. The call of a slow, seasonal life is strong, but the realities of your day to day feel impossible to shift into something calmer.
This article is Part Three of a 3-part series on how to start leaning into a slower motherhood journey. If you're just landing here, start with Parts One and Two.
The Practical Guide to Slow Mothering: Part Two (Tactical Actions)
The Practical Guide to Slow Mothering: Part Three (Tips - this article)
Remember that defining and settling into a new rhythm for yourself and your family is a journey, not something that changes overnight. Keep these tips in mind as you approach this new journey.
Four Tips for Success in your Slow Motherhood Journey
These gentle reminders are things I've had to remind myself of constantly as I strive toward a slower, more relaxed pace of life with my family.
When you find yourself frustrated because you had a rushed morning or felt frazzled doing the bedtime routine, revisit this post and remind yourself that opportunity abounds on the slow motherhood journey, even when some moments are hard.
1. Take It Slow
If you've ever tried to instill some new habits into your life, you may be aware that making drastic changes to your routine or trying to override several existing habits at once is a recipe for disaster. You might have a day, a week, or even a couple of weeks living your amazing new routine, only to find yourself slipping back into your old ways.
Shifting from a busy, hectic version of mothering into a softer, slower, more seasonal version is no different than shifting basic habits. Take it one step at a time. You are moving into a slower lifestyle, and giving yourself grace and time to make that shift honors who you are becoming.
Revisit Part Two of this series and grab a single action off the suggestion list to start. As a busy, working mom who sometimes wakes up and realizes I'm in an overwhelmed state, I like to examine my morning routine or evening routine as a starting point. These moments in my day have the opportunity to be consistent grounding anchors that can guide me into the right mindset for the rest of my day.
2. Don't Create Another Task List
Building off the "take it slow" advice, be careful about giving yourself another task list as you lean into slow mothering. "Slow Down To Do List" just doesn't roll off the tongue, does it?
If you lean Type A like me, you can certainly use lists to help keep yourself organized. For example, creating a list of supplies you need for a cozy hobby you're plugging into your post-bedtime evening routine is a great list to have!
When I think about the task list I don't want, it's the laundry list of self-care activities you hope to do before your kids wake up, or the list of outdoor adventures you're going to take your kids on this summer so they can experience the slower lifestyle you're building.
These types of lists seem helpful on the surface, but they inevitably become an impossible benchmark. They start to feel like a burden when you slip on implementation, even if that slip is completely out of your control (like bad weather or illness).
Feel free to put some structure behind the changes you're making in your life, but make a habit of asking whether your list is helpful or burdening. Finding the right balance between structure and softness is all part of the slow mothering journey.
3. Embrace the Little Moments
The slow mothering aesthetic you're attracted to on social media feels genuinely expansive and all-consuming. Like when you start making these little shifts, you'll find hidden hours of unstructured playtime and relaxation.
The reality for many working moms is the time you have with your family is the morning routine, evening routine, and weekends. During the week in particular, life may continue to feel full, even as you readjust your mindset and adopt slower living habits. Someone still needs to put dinner on the table, tidy up afterwards, and do the bedtime routines.
This is where embracing the little moments come in. You know some tasks must be done, but where can you find little openings for rest and joy? Are your kids interested in helping with dinner or clean-up? Can you implement a post-meal outdoor stroll or family creativity time? You don't need hours to install these simple habits.
Remember the mindset shift from Part One: We don't have time -> We have time.
4. Set Yourself Up for Success
As you shift into slow mothering, consider changes you can make, especially inside your home, to reduce friction for finding pause and presence throughout your day.
In Part Two of this series, giving your phone a permanent location in the home was the first actionable suggestion. Others might be thrifting a project basket so you can carry your current craft project around the house or outside with you (this is something I am actively on thrift hunt for right now!) or placing yoga mats or cushions in the main rooms where your kids play so you can easily and comfortably join them.
Take note of the resistance points you find and start eliminating them. The cumulative effect will surprise you!
More Ways to Ease the Overwhelm
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.
