Why I Switched to Slow Living and Stopped Setting Big Goals
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As we approach the new year, folks tend to talk about goals and ambitions and all of the things that they want to achieve. Maybe they want to lose 20 pounds or grow their business by X percent. Maybe they want to declutter and clean the house from top to bottom. All of this talk....Do more. Be more. Achieve more. It became exhausting trying to keep up in the midst of trying to heal from being sick.
Living with chronic illness, anxiety, and the pressure to “keep up” as I had always done, made those big goals feel impossible. Instead of feeling motivated, I felt discouraged, behind, and like I was failing at a life that didn’t fit my reality anymore.
So I stopped.
I stepped off the hamster wheel that I was once running on and I traded big goals for slower days, smaller wins, and a softer way of living. And to be honest, it has changed everything for me and why I wanted to bring it up in case you've felt the same way.
Why Big Goals Didn’t Work for Me
Big goals can be wonderful for most people, but when you're sick and your days are unpredictable, looking at a big goal can be overwhelming when your energy isn’t predictable or your body needs rest. I spent so many years trying to push myself into structure that didn’t match my life. My husband, would constantly remind me that my "job" was to get better and it took me a long while for me to see that for myself and thats how I am choosing to live while I try and get better.
Here’s what I realized:
1. Big goals made me feel like I was never doing enough
There was always something left undone. Always one more thing on the list.
Slow living taught me that worth is not measured in productivity. I can still find wins each day and have a sense of accomplishment.
2. My body needed something gentler
Chronic illness doesn’t care about goal deadlines. I needed flexibility and kindness, not pressure to have certain things or keep up with other people in my past profession.
3. Small steps still move you forward
The tiniest actions count. Some days, “I took a shower” is my win and then some days, “I rested” is what I consider progress too.
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What Slow Living Looks Like for Me Now
Slow living isn’t about doing nothing.
It’s about doing what matters.
At a pace that feels safe.
In a way that honors your real life, real needs, and real body.
Here’s what it looks like:
I celebrate tiny wins
Did I drink water? That’s a win.
Did I tidy one little corner? A win.
Did I rest before I crashed? That’s growth.
I build rituals instead of rigid goals
A soft morning routine with a warm mug, a cozy blanket, and five quiet minutes makes a bigger difference than grabbing the old version of my to do list and stressing over all the stuff that I think needs to get done and probably won't that day because I'm not well enough to work on them.
I created systems that support my energy
Instead of strict to-do lists, I keep tools around me that make life easier on low-energy days.
Energy-friendly helpers:
• A safe space where I'm most comfortable sitting in
• A daily focus sheet to help me on things that I needed to do each day
• A freezer meal tray for batch-cooking on good days
I make space for rest without guilt
Rest is not a reward. It’s a requirement.
When I stopped fighting it, it made a difference in getting through the day.
How My Daily Focus Sheet Supports My Slow-Living Lifestyle
One of the biggest shifts in my slow-living journey was creating a daily rhythm that felt supportive instead of stressful. I didn’t want a long to-do list anymore. I didn’t want structure that made me feel behind. I wanted something gentle, simple, and made for people like us.
That’s why I use my Daily Focus Planner Sheet every single day.
It’s designed to help prevent overwhelm and helps me stay grounded on days when my energy is unpredictable.
Here’s how I use it:
• I write down three tiny priorities for the day based on my energy
• I check in with myself using the mood and energy section
• I use the notes or brain-dump area to clear mental clutter
• I track what I need to remember like pacing, meds, hydration, or rest
• I use the gratitude box to reconnect with something that feels good because some days, it feels like your luck has run out.
I fill it out in the morning with my favorite pen, some coffee, a cozy blanket, and usually one of my furbabies snuggled in right beside me. It’s become a gentle ritual, not a chore.
If you want to try it too, here’s the exact one I use:
👉 Daily Focus Planner Sheet (Digital Download)
https://thegoodlifevibe.com/products/daily-focus-planner-digital-download-sheet?_pos=1&_sid=bdff183fb&_ss=r
It’s not about getting everything done.
It’s about choosing what matters and letting the rest go for the moment while you work on your own healing.
How Letting Go Helped Me More Than Any Goal Ever Did
Slow living didn’t make me fall behind.
Its helped me live in a way that finally felt like me and where I'm currently at.
Here’s what shifted:
I’m not rushing through my own life anymore
There’s time to breathe. To savor moments. To exist. I've given myself permission for once in my life to slow down and enjoy the things that matter most to me.
I’m more consistent because I’m less overwhelmed
Small steps stick. Big goals didn’t. I'm still making progress on the things that I want to achieve while moving at a pace that is manageable for me.
My mental health feels supported instead of strained
I feel steadier. Softer. More grounded. I'm not always working and spinning my wheels.
I’m finally proud of myself again
Not for what I get done, but for how I treat myself in the midst of multiples illnesses that will last the rest of my life.
If You Want to Start Slow Living Too…
You don’t have to toss out your planner or give up your dreams.
You can start by choosing gentle intentions instead of heavy goals like I have.
Try things like:
• “I want to feel more rested this week.”
• “I want to make my mornings easier to navigate”
• “I want to listen to my body without guilt.”
• “I want to create more ease in my home.”
Figure out how that looks for you and the ways to make it happen. Maybe its taking a look at what all you have on your plate and simply asking for help. Maybe it means saying "no" more often. The beauty is that you get to decide what that will look like for you.
Support yourself with helpful tools:
✨ Cozy blankets
✨ Soft lighting
✨ Simple journals
✨ Self-care organizers
✨ Low-energy kitchen helpers
✨ Comfortable loungewear
These aren’t just “things" to buy or do.
They’re supports.
Little helpers that make the gentle life easier to choose.
A Final Note from Me to You
If big goals feel too heavy right now, it doesn’t mean you’re failing.
It means you’re human.
Slow living isn’t giving up.
It’s choosing a kinder way to exist while you're dealing with so much.
And honestly....You deserve that. We all do!
If you’re walking this slower path too, I’m right here with you.
In this together,
Laura