Hustle culture and hacking our way to hyper-productivity is everywhere on our screens and shelves. But trying to be productive in every element of your life can be toxic. So what if the real cheat code to feeling better… was just slowing down?
This is where “slowmaxxing” enters the group chat. Instead of optimising your life for productivity, you’re optimising your life for slowness. It’s not about doing nothing. It’s about choosing calm over pressure, presence over pace, and rest over the relentless scroll. And no, it’s not something that needs experience or a high level of zenn - it could be the secret to feeling more energised, less frazzled, and way more you.
What is slowmaxxing?
The term first popped up on TikTok as a kind of backlash to hustle culture. It’s about doing fewer things - on purpose. And romanticising normal day to day things to make us feel good. Whether that’s eating lunch away from your laptop or not replying to texts straight away, slowmaxxing is permission to stop sprinting through life. Think of it as the younger, cooler cousin of the slow living movement. It’s basically saying “I’m taking the long route home on purpose and not checking Slack today.” rather than rushing through everything.
And spoiler alert: it works.
Why we crave fast and why it’s exhausting us
Modern life has wired us to chase speed. We expect replies instantly. We binge-watch shows and watch videos on 2x speed. With the growth of AI and instant answers from Google, we don’t even want to scroll to find the answer to a question anymore. We want it summarised. Quickly.
The problem? Your brain isn’t designed to operate at this tempo forever. Living in a constant state of urgency fries your nervous system. It kills creativity, disrupts sleep, and leaves you scrolling for dopamine hits that never quite land. Getting everything instantly means we’re not used to doing things slowly or putting in effort to get reward. We crave quick hits and fast solutions.
Harvard Health explains that our “rush culture” contributes to chronic stress, high blood pressure, and poor focus. And slowing down can actually improve your emotional wellbeing, deepen social connections, and help you prioritise what matters most.
Slowmaxxing ≠ laziness
Let’s get one thing straight: slowmaxxing doesn’t mean being unproductive or lazy. It means opting out of burnout. It’s intentional - choosing slowness as a strategy for better thinking, deeper connection, and a brain that isn’t running on fumes. In fact, research shows that practices tied to slowness, like mindfulness and rest, measurably reduce stress and improve mental clarity.
10 everyday things you can “slowmaxx”
Slowmaxxing starts with how you move through your normal day. Here are ten tiny tweaks that turn everyday moments into opportunities to slow down, reset, and feel human again:
1. Making lunch or dinner
Instead of scrolling or rushing through a sandwich, romanticise it. Follow a recipe from a recipe book, chop slowly, stand by the hob, listen to a podcast or music. Eat away from your screen and enjoy the meal.
2. Walking home (or to work)
Ditch the rush. Leave 10 minutes earlier, take the scenic route, or walk without your headphones to reconnect with your surroundings.
3. Washing up
Yep, even chores can be slowmaxxed. Turn it into a mini moving meditation and romanticise washing up or cleaning the house.
4. Reading before bed
Swap doomscrolling for 10 pages of a book. Let yourself slow down properly before sleep.
5. Your morning coffee
Make it manually. Watch it brew. Sip it at the table. No emails, no Instagram - just make a coffee to drink it.
6. Planning your day
Rather than diving straight into the to-do list, take five to set intentions slowly. Ask: “What really needs doing today?”
7. Folding laundry
Sounds dull, but this is the perfect moment to pause. Put your phone down and use the time to get into the rhythm of folding.
8. Waiting in a queue
Instead of grabbing your phone, do nothing. Notice the people around you, maybe give them a smile. You’re in the queue no matter your attitude so you might as well enjoy it.
9. Cooking dinner from scratch
Use an actual recipe book, pop on some music and spend time prepping a meal. You’ll enjoy it much more than a quick microwave meal, promise.
10. Running a bath or shower
Let it take time. No rushing. Don’t just wash to get clean, use the time to pause and reflect. You also have your best ideas in the shower…
Want to go all in?
A 3-day digital detox in one of our off-grid cabins is slowmaxxing on steroids (the good kind). No emails. No notifications. Just you, a forest, and your own nervous system slowly coming back to life. Because you don’t need to earn your rest.
