Why European Moms Don’t Chase Slow Living

At a glance: why slowness isn't something we should try to create, but rather something that grows out of everyday life, rooted in out habits and traditions.

Slowness Isn't Something I Try to Create

I think a lot of people are trying to slow down these days.

There's been a slow living trend for a while now. Slow mornings, slow routines, slow productivity systems… all meant to help us slow life down.

But something I've been thinking about is this: In many parts of Europe, my part included, slowness isn't something people actively try to create.

It's just there.

And I don't think it's because life is easier or people have more time. I think it's because certain habits and traditions are still part of everyday life. Some things just feel too important to rush for us (like, you know, having coffee with a friend. Eating lunch sitting down, away from the screens.).

A Day Built Around What Actually Matters

Don't get me wrong, I still have the same things to do as any homemaker. Kids to raise, a home to run, meals to prepare,...it's a never ending list. So why rush through it? It's not like you're going to "finish" it anytime soon.

So for most of the day, I try to focus on my family and on taking care of all of us - myself included.

And a lot of what I do supports everyone at the same time.

If I cook, that's for everyone. If we go outside, that benefits everyone. I think of those things as the most efficient things to focus on.

So instead of trying to do everything, I focus on the things that move the whole day forward.

Bread as Part of the Rhythm

Bread making is part of my routine a few times a week.

Having my hands in the dough, feeling the texture… it calms me down, even when things feel a bit chaotic.

Bread is also such a staple here, most people don't imagine going a day without it. I always joke that in Europe, we eat bread with bread, and it's not even a joke.

I often make more than one dough while I'm at it. If I already have an active starter, it just makes sense to do that. And I like starting early. So it's usually: coffee, kiss the kids, bread, and then we all get ready!

Once the dough is going in the morning, most of the work is already done, and the rest of the day feels more manageable.

Going Outside (Even When It's Not Perfect)

After breakfast, we usually go outside. Even if the weather isn't ideal, we try to dress as good as we can, and risk it.

I always say to myself that if the weather gets to be too much for us to handle, we can always come inside. But guess what? That happens about 3 times per year, at the most.

But the benefits of going happen everyday. It improves your mood, your kids' mood, their sleep… everything.

And being outside is another things that naturally slows things down. You're not thinking about cleaning or cooking. You're not looking for the next task, or feeling guilty about being present in that exact moment.

It's a break, both mentally and physically.

Rhythms Instead of Schedules

One thing that helps me a lot is relying less on the clock. I'm much more present when I'm not constantly checking the time.

Of course, some things need to happen at a specific hour. But a lot of life at home doesn't.

So instead of strict schedules, I rely on rhythms. Things happen in a similar order each day, even if the timing changes.

Breakfast might take longer one day. But what comes after breakfast stays the same.

For me, meals are the anchors. Breakfast, lunch, dinner. They give the day structure without making it feel rushed. I find the meals to be a more peaceful guide to my day that looking at the clock constantly.

Small Pauses Matter More Than You Think

Something else that's very normal here is taking small pauses during the day. Coffee is one of them, for example. The French, the Spanish and the Italians (for the most part) even have a mid-day break, when workers can go back to their families and eat lunch in good company.

But it's more than that. It's the idea that work will always wait.

Taking a few minutes to sit, drink your coffee, or talk to someone doesn't ruin your day. It actually makes it better.

And again: the work will always wait.

Doing Less (On Purpose)

Sometimes we just try to do too much. We plan our day, fill it completely, and then something unexpected happens.

And then we spend the rest of the day trying to catch up. Most of the time, we don't.

So instead, I try to be realistic. Some days I make bread, cook meals, maybe prepare something for later.

But I don't do everything. And that's enough.

The Version of Slow Living That Actually Works

Slowness isn't something you create by trying harder. It's the result of small choices, of taking our time into our own hands.

Cooking simple food, going outside no matter the weather, letting routines carry the day.

None of it is complicated. But together, it creates space for conversations, for noticing your kids. For enjoying small moments that would otherwise pass by.

And that's the version of slow living that makes sense to me. Not something performative, but rather ust something that grows out of everyday life, with honoring our values.