If you’ve ever tried to slow down in a world that constantly rewards speed, you know how hard it is.
You cancel a plan, take a nap, or spend a quiet afternoon doing nothing, and immediately the guilt creeps in. “You should be doing more.”
I’ve heard this voice several times and I know it sucks.
I’m writing this post for people like me – who are made to believe that productivity and perfectionism are good.
It is in a way, but if we overdo it, it leads to massive burnout.
There is a reason why slow living is linked to more happiness.
Doing less doesn’t mean you’re lazy.
Sometimes it means you’re finally listening to what your body and mind actually need.
For me, embracing slow living wasn’t about giving up on life—it was about finally showing up for it.
Actually living.
These 11 books helped me rethink hustle culture, find calm in the chaos, and remember how to enjoy the smallest, softest parts of life again.
These books break away from instant gratification.
They require patience to read and in a way, you’re already moving towards slow living if you’re reading these books.
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1. Do Nothing by Celeste Headlee
I was actually drawn to this book cover because of the cute sloth on the front, lol.
This book was a revelation.
As a person who is obsessed with productivity and perfectionism, it felt like this book was written for me.
It made me realize how much of my time I was spending trying to prove my worth.
Headlee combines historical insights with modern research and adds her own life experiences to show how toxic our addiction to “doing” really is.
She gives examples of how constant busyness became the norm in society, and how stepping away from that can lead to more meaningful connections and better health.
What stayed with me the most was her reminder that rest is not wasted time.
I always thought self-care would just slow me down.
But dealing with burnout is worse.
I started allowing myself unstructured afternoons, naps, and time to simply think — and my mind felt so much clearer.
Get this book here: Do Nothing: How to Break Away from Overworking, Overdoing, and Underliving
2. Essentialism by Greg McKeown
This book I picked up during a difficult period of my life when I’d just lost my mom and gone through a devastating breakup.
I thought pouring myself into my work was the answer but this book helped me understand that it’s okay to slow down.
This book taught me the power of the word “no.”
McKeown breaks down why doing less, but better, is the key to achieving more meaningful success.
He offers real-world examples of people who radically transformed their lives by cutting out the nonessential, including CEOs, entrepreneurs, and everyday folks.
Reading this book made me rethink my entire calendar.
I began reviewing every task, project, or favor with the question: “Is this essential?”
And if it wasn’t, I let it go.
It’s incredibly liberating to know that you don’t have to say yes to everything just to be liked or feel accomplished.
Get this one here: Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less
3. The Nature Fix by Florence Williams
I never really understood nature.
I always claimed that I wasn’t a nature person, that if I had a good book or some drawing paper and pencils, I’d be just fine.
But nature is something every single person needs.
This book reminded me that slowing down doesn’t have to happen in silence or solitude—sometimes it happens outside.
Williams travels the world to explore how time in nature affects our brains, moods, and even immune systems.
I loved her chapters on Japanese forest bathing and Scandinavian outdoor preschool programs.
She dives into science but wraps it in vivid storytelling.
After reading it, I started making nature non-negotiable.
I began going for daily walks with no music or podcasts, just the sound of birds and my own breathing.
I’m even taking a course on how to watercolor paint birds.
It’s amazing what you notice when you’re not rushing past everything.
Get it here: The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative
4. How to Do Nothing by Jenny Odell
This is not a quick or easy read—but that’s what makes it so rewarding.
Odell challenges our cultural obsession with productivity and our economy of attention.
This book is similar to the first one in this list but I did want to include it anyway because I loved it so much!
She uses examples from history, art, and activism to build a thoughtful case for resisting the nonstop grind.
One of my favorite chapters discussed the rose garden in Oakland where she would just sit and observe.
It inspired me to stop looking at stillness as unproductive and start seeing it as a form of attention.
Now, I spend time sitting on my balcony, watching clouds, or just listening to street sounds without trying to “do” anything.
I meditate. It’s taken me time to get used to this “doing nothing.”
But it’s been healing.
Get it here: How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy
5. Silence by Erling Kagge
I recommend this book to anyone who can’t sit in silence.
Like if you need to lift your phone for every notification or if you need music in the background always – you definitely need to read this.
Kagge writes about silence not just as the absence of noise, but as something you carry within yourself.
As someone who used to fill every moment with music, TVs, or background chatter, this book cracked something open in me.
He shares stories from his time exploring the Arctic, where silence was more profound than he expected.
But he also talks about finding silence in a city, on a crowded subway, or while washing dishes.
The message is: that silence is accessible to all of us if we’re willing to seek it.
I started turning everything off during breakfast and just letting the morning sounds wash over me.
It’s changed how I feel all day.
See it here: Silence: In the Age of Noise
6. The Art of Making Memories by Meik Wiking
This book helped me realize that slowing down isn’t just about doing less—it’s about noticing more.
Wiking breaks down the science behind memory and shares small rituals that help turn everyday moments into something magical.
He talks about how scent, lighting, and intentional presence can turn a cup of coffee or a walk with a friend into a lasting, beautiful memory.
We don’t have bad memories.
Our brains are so over-stimulated by information, media and social networks, that we’re not able to retain it all because our brains don’t know what to retain.
This is why, quiet and slow living are important.
I started lighting candles in the evening, journaling more often, and taking more photos of tiny things—my dog curled up on the couch, sunlight hitting a plant just right.
Suddenly, my days felt fuller, even when they were slower.
Get it here: The Art of Making Memories: How to Create and Remember Happy Moments
7. Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport
A book I suggest everyone reads if they spend a lot of time online.
This book made me completely rethink how I use technology.
Newport doesn’t shame you for using social media, but he does show how these tools often end up using us.
He guides you through a digital detox and helps you figure out what truly adds value to your digital life.
I followed his 30-day challenge and deleted all non-essential apps.
I now check Instagram once a week, and the mental space I’ve reclaimed is wild.
It doesn’t matter how many friends send me reels, they know I’ll respond to them when I get to it.
My focus is sharper, I sleep better, and I’m finally reading all my books again.
This one’s a game-changer if you feel chained to your phone.
Get it here: Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World
8. Destination Simple by Brooke McAlary
This is the perfect book if you’re overwhelmed but want to start slow living without flipping your whole life upside down.
McAlary gives bite-sized suggestions like creating morning rituals, having a digital sunset, or adding breathwork to your day.
What makes it special is how doable everything feels.
I started using one of her tips—writing down just 3 priorities a day—and it helped reduce my anxiety dramatically.
The book feels like a gentle, non-judgmental friend reminding you that small changes are enough.
Get it here: Destination Simple: Everyday Rituals for a Slower Life
9. The Little Book of Lykke by Meik Wiking
I picked up this book because the cover was cute, I’m not going to lie.
I have a mild weakness for books with lovely covers.
But it was worth the read and I’m glad.
Wiking travels the world collecting stories and data about what makes people happy, from Dutch bike culture to Indian neighborhood cooking clubs.
I learned a lot about the world.
I especially loved the part about how sharing meals can build stronger communities.
After reading it, I started hosting tiny Sunday dinners with friends, even if it seemed silly.
It showed me that slow living isn’t just about solitude—it can be about joyful connection too.
Get it here: The Little Book of Lykke: Secrets of the World’s Happiest People
10. The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down by Haemin Sunim
I’ve gifted this book to many people, including my partner, his mum, and a few of my friends.
I’ve also read all of Haemin Sunim’s books because everything he writes is profound.
This book is like a warm hug in print.
Sunim shares short reflections and teachings that feel both spiritual and deeply practical.
He talks about love, anxiety, rest, and purpose in a way that feels deeply human.
The chapters are short, which makes it perfect for picking up before bed or while you’re sipping your morning tea.
I often reread his chapter on “taking care of yourself first” whenever I feel overwhelmed.
It always reminds me that slowing down isn’t selfish—it’s essential.
Get it here: The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down
11. Zen: The Art of Simple Living by Shunmyo Masuno
This book is a beautiful blend of Japanese Zen philosophy and practical, calming habits.
It’s a very easy book to read because each chapter is short and sweet.
Shunmyo Masuno is a Zen Buddhist monk, and he shares 100 simple pieces of advice that help you declutter your mind, slow down your actions, and reconnect with the world around you.
What makes this book so soothing is how small and doable each lesson is.
One that really stayed with me was: “Make cleaning your temple.”
That simple shift in perspective made washing dishes or tidying my desk feel less like a chore and more like a form of care.
There’s also a lovely chapter about enjoying your cup of tea without distractions, which helped me stop multitasking during my morning routine.
This isn’t a book you race through—it’s one you read slowly, a page or two at a time, and let sink in.
Get it here: Zen: The Art of Simple Living
Whether you’re new to slow living or just need a gentle nudge, these books are a great place to begin. They made me feel seen, reminded me to breathe, and helped me fall in love with a softer pace of life.
