How I (Try To) Live a Slow Life With a 9-5 Job 

Love this. I went from a 5 day workweek down to 3 days. I found a place where I could work 10 hour days and told them I was only able to work 3 days. So yes my income dropped but I still put in 30 hours a week and now have 4 ‘free’ days. My free time is worth so much more than the missed income.

This resonates with what I believe in Ecclesiastes 4:6 "Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.".

I adopted slow living inadvertently by respecting myself, my time and setting boundaries. I’m 48 and as I get older I realize self care and making my mental health a priority and it’s okay to say no. At work I decided that I wouldn’t stay over to finish something that I could complete the next morning. It’s letting a couple phone calls go to voicemail and calling them back later. It’s letting an email sit in my inbox until I finish my current task. For me slow living has been reading a good book with a cup of coffee instead of watching mindless TV. Also I’m an artist and painter so I love to disconnect and just paint a picture once in a while. It’s also meant leaving social media in 2024 which gives me so much more free time to be more productive. Love your channel!!

I live in America, and work mostly 7 days a week, 9-10 hours a day. The idea of a 9-5 day work week sounds like heaven to me. I pray I can shift to a different lifestyle.

I really like my job, but my boss would never allow me to go down to 4 days a week. Instead, I've been able to change my shift schedule from the 8am-4:30pm shift to the 6am-2:30pm shift. A 2 hour difference may not seem like a lot, but it means I get off work before rush hour traffic starts, so I'm home in 25 minutes instead of 1.5 hours. So much time is left in my day to do all sorts of things, I actually feel like I have time for my hobbies now.

Things I don’t do anymore is say yes to things that will deplete me of energy just because I don’t want to hurt someone’s feeling or expectations. I used to go the extra mile on everything. Now I just do what I can and no more.

"Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

I am blessed to be able to work at home, so even though it’s a structured environment, I get to really be present and meditate, journal or go on walks in my neighborhood on breaks and lunches. Also, adopting the belief “I do what I can and let go of the rest” really helped me release personal responsibility for how the company is doing. I do what I can to the best of my ability with good quality and move on with my day. And when I log off for the day, my mind is in the present and not on work. I leave work at work. Thank you for this video, something that actually resonates🤍

I just went to 4 days a week. Little less money but just budget better. So worth it!! The 1 extra day makes a huge difference. Will soon go to 3 days. Love your videos calm and inspiring. Subscribed:)

I tried it for four (4) months. And I don't get it. I would be home at 5:35pm... ...when, where, what? If I wanted to clean my shower or invite someone for a cup of coffee.......when? How? I would eat - so now it's already 6:20pm. Do the dishes, complain to my significant other about work, change clothes, maybe do the laundry... *Before you know it's 9pm and you start thinking about the following day (meetings, gossip, bullying, meaningless **_tasks_** 🙄...)* We are slaves with nice cars and cellphones. And nicer houses than our ancestor had. But then again: *you don't enjoy your house because you're at the office!!!!!! 😪*

I agree so much with you that getting into nature and connecting with it is one of the best ways to slow down. Nature grounds us in the present, and allow our minds to become quiet and still. Glad I found your channel, thank you!

few more years of school and ive planned on doing something similar the 4 day work week is great advice too can definitely overcome it with a non material life

Thanks for your really realistic take on slow living. A lot of RU-vidrs who embrace slow living embrace a lifestyle which is almost completely alternative and not achievable for me personally, both my husband and myself working full time with 2 kids. Lots of helpful tips - thanks. Have a great day. 😊

Love the thought process! It was a reminder I needed

As always a very nice video! Thanks for sharing your thoughts 🤗

Thank you, I really enjoyed your video and I agree with you. I find pleasure gardening, going for nature walks or to the beach with my dog, turning off my phone and reading a book instead.

Thank you. This was a nice video. What I struggle with is the feeling of "I have to..." or "I should be..." The expectations of childhood and then adulthood is a big pressure. We absorb the energies around us. I am excited for you that the energy you have to feed on is of natural time. There is still the forward movement, but not the voices of "what if you don't get this done, what will they think?" You can hear your own thoughts and not the possible thoughts of others and letting that rule your soul. Thanks again!

Omg yeah it's very depressing the way we have to live. No free will really. I used to work 11hour shifts Mo-Fri and then 5hours every weekend. Plus public holidays. The few bucks overtime was so not worth it. And I had no choice I had to work. I was so burned out to the point that I had to resign. They didn't even care they would rather have unhappy personnel resigning every few months. I was so unhappy, I'm slowing recovering but the PTSD is real x

Another find thanks to RU-vid recommendation! I resonate w your insights. I wanted to relocate my family to a greener location but just can’t now. But what I did was to shift to a work from home career to start a slower living. Been thankful for this shift.

Awesome video, I’ve been so caught up with life, money and bills recently that I forgot what my passion is. And that’s video creation and has been since I was 12 years old (I’m now 26 with a kid on the way) I don’t work a 9-5 job I have a mobile detailing business but either way the work is stressful especially looking for jobs to find. This video is what I needed to remind myself to slow down. 🤝

New subscriber and great video! I went down from working 5 to 3 days a week a couple of years ago and it's one of the best decisions I ever made. Combining it with getting a remote job and moving deep into the countryside is a real privilege... wish more people were able to make it work, I do feel very lucky.

Thanks for bringing me hope that I can find peace, working a 9-5.

New subscriber. I loved this video! This is my last week working 5 days. I requested 3 days moving forward.

Wonderful video!

Great video! Thanks!

Really good advice.

What a great video with so many relatable topics, I have adopted the slow living lifestyle for a few years now. Before this I always felt overwhelmed and time was just flying by. The biggest change for me was finding a new job where I work part time, Monday - Friday but I work 8am-1pm. I have had to be more mindful with my finances but I am so much happier now. I’m very glad I have just recently found your channel and look forward to future videos!

We moved to a rural area in 2020 during the pandemic with 2 kids. At first I struggled with living outside of the city, but now I embrace country living. I am trying to retrain my brain to enjoy slow living. I don't think completely isolating ourselves is healthy. But just enjoying the moment and living in the present is so important. Our digital age is toxic to our brains in a lot of ways, especially for our kids. We need to become more aware of this topic as a society!

I understand you. Completely.

Amazing insights - you inspired me to change my working schedule permanently, in a way that is working for me better then before. Work is needed, but I do feel the same about it as you do: I don't want to be the new manager or something like that. Thank you for making this type of videos. I'm really gratefull that I've found your account. Enjoy your day.

Love this channel ❤

Really enjoyed this and can totally relate. I dropped down to 4 days from 5 and can already feel the benefits and I spend my day off in nature. It’s worth every penny I’ve lost because I’ve enriched my life.

Turning 60 next month. 😊 Contemplating slow living, as well as reducing work hours to 3 10 hr days. I really like your realistic and attainable approach! God bless.

I completely agree with cutting back on your worktime...out of the home anyway. I like having more time to accomplish things I need and want to do at home but like you said...unfortunately it creates a financial problem. The upside of that is you really learn to live minimally...which is fine with me. It is so good to spend time outdoors...I find it really does help in reducing stress. Keep sharing your lovely videos...so enjoyable.

Beautiful ❤ all the best, mate 👍 👌 👏 💙

Such a great video man. Deserves way more views. In college right now in the US and want to live a similar life once I go out to work. Happy for u!

Love this!❤

Hello :) tombée par hasard sur ta chaîne et me suis abonnée car c'est rare de voir des jeunes gens dans ma tranche d'âge vivre comme ça. J'ai 31 ans et j'ai adopté ce mode de vie graduellement, en écoutant mon intuition profonde. Ça a commencé par de nombreux questionnements existentiels en début de vingtaine et par pas mal de lectures de philo et de socio, d'art de vivre. Puis, j'ai quitté les réseaux sociaux y a 7 ans, demandé un temps partiel y a 5 ans (semaine de 4 jours pour commencer puis deux mois de vacances quelques années plus tard), j'ai posé comme toi des limites claires au travail (pourtant je suis manager et peut-être que ça montre l'exemple : on ne se dérange pas en dehors des heures de bureau et durant nos vacances, on quitte les locaux tôt, pas de présentéisme inutile, le climat de travail est beaucoup plus sain d'ailleurs). Je vis très simplement/sobrement, maison avec beaucoup de nature autour, je n'achète pas d'objets intuiles). Sans oublier une bonne hygiène de vie et respecter sa chronobiologie. Là, les bases sont posées pour une meilleure santé physique et mentale. Ce qui permet d'approfondir ensuite la dimension humaine : se connaître profondément, s'améliorer en tant que personne, découvrir ses besoins et poser ses limites, nouer des relations qui ont du sens, s'écarter de celles qui ne font pas de bien, profondément s'aimer, cultiver son âme (lectures, méditation)... c'est tellement riche au final. Mais je pense que c'est un mode de vie qui parle peut-être plus aux introvertis ? Maintenant j'aimerais trouver un compagnon un peu dans la même philosophie, en conscience, altruiste, communiquant, qui a envie de construire un couple solide, de voyager ensemble, partager des expériences de vie, savourer de la bonne nourriture, écouter de la musique live et danser régulièrement 😊🌞😍

Very good content and also editing ! all my support 😊

Hi Felix So great to found your channel on RU-vid for practising slow living and minimalistic lifestyle. I can relate my lifestyle with you to some extent living in a city as i have to work from office everyday. Really enjoyed watching your video and am able to take some lessons on slow living lifestyle in a different way. Thank you Vivek from India

Great Content brother. Loved it!!

Last year, I took several steps that made my life move at an extreme speed, such as starting my business, finding an office, trying to find clients, and going through a breakup. This year, I am trying to slow down by bringing more structure to my life, embracing a slower pace, and spending more time on self-care and social activities.

A new subscriber here 👋 Thank you for this calm and inspiring video 🌼

Good on you 🫶👍🙌….This is just how I feel, I want to live closer to the nature💚 Also I feel like I don’t want to work as many hours as I would like to enjoy life a bit more. Thank you for this motivational video 🙏

Expect nothing, appreciate everything! This helps me ❤🇦🇺

I totally agree with you and love your video. Your mental health and your peace and love within income first. A lot of people today have two jobs and I do believe that is not healthy for anyone. 🏡❤️

Sometimes I’m frustrated by what I can access. But I really enjoy balancing rest and activity. I have time and mental space for family friends and hobbies

Thank you for a great video❤

Nice video. I really recommend not drinking alcohol. That gave me a lot of extra peace...

This video is related with my life now , Works 8-9 hour/day . Try to found the slow living lifestyle and enjoy what i am doing now. 🙂🙂

Wanted to live an enjoyable and meaningfull life. Working for a non profit organisation has made my work-life balance easier.

Gorgeous! I liked clarity of your thinking and appropriate choice that you did took in order to accomplish the way you would like to have your life unfold! Nice, would like to stay connected with like minded people! :-) Cheers to you!

Right now i am really stressed with my new job because i have become a store manager and there is so much to do. One day i was so stressed out, that the only solution for me was to get outside for a walk in the Forest. Being in Nature really slows things down. I felt much better when i came home. Can recommend!

love it

Very thought-provoking🙏 Cheers from the Swiss countryside!🌧️☃️❄️

I ride my bike to work. It is such a nice thing to be outside instead of in a car. However it is dangerous with the vehicles who may have trouble seeing me, so I am grateful when i arrive safely.

Due to severe illness in the past, i cant work more than 24 hours per week. Even though I would like to earn a bit more money, i am fortunate enough to be able to pay my bills with this parttime job. And i feel very lucky to have so much free time

I dont understand how this is possible. For me, working 4 days per week means losing all benefits: insurance, 401k, HSA, etc.

I need to do this

I love it…

I have also reduced my hours at work and make less money but love my personal time. 9-5 (8 hours in one day) is still ridiculous. Nobody should be required to work more than 4 hours per day.

Thankyou for teaching me. Love from pakistan.❤❤

Excellent video. I stopped listening to what people where telling me I needed to be happy. I realized they were well intended. I don't need fancy clothes. I'm a sweatshirt type of person. I have one nice dress (not fancy) if I need to attend a formal family event. I like being who I want yo be- simple.

Hi. Bavaria here. Came across your channel today and watching the second video... just wanted to say: great topics, really engaging me

I am relatively well off but even I cant afford to have no job (neither I would want too). I try to work minimum (110-150 hours) and when I dont work I try to have relaxed and slow life.

Thanks for sharing. I feel the same way as you express in the intro. Have you thought of being an introvert is more sensitive for the fast pace life and stimulus during a work day?

A nice idea. Not possible for everyone. Working as a physician in a large hospital I can promise you, 3 days a week would have a major impact on our patients‘ lives. There are jobs which make this lifestyle impossible.

and here is me watching a slow living video on 2x speed🤣

I've also recently requested to move to working 4 days a week. I start in June. I feel like I'm regaining some control of my life and I don't think I'll be that much worse off financially. As others have said, the time gained is worth more than the money I would earn from continuing to sacrifice my time.

Honestly, a 9-5 is a pretty easy gig. I'd be thankful for that.

Do the best you can and don't take life too serious.😊

I run my own business with 4 employees. If I could cut my time down 40% for a 40% reduction in income without business shriveling up, I’d do it in a heartbeat.

Corporates don't want employees to slow down

Videos like this only tell me how messed up the world is that we label normal living and make asmr videos about it for RU-vid

Yeah

I am going the opposite direction. From part time work (19 hours) to 4 days a week (30 hours). It's just becomming harder and harder as a single person to pay for everyday life. Cutting out my expenses only gets me so far and I realised the problem is that I earn too little. But still, I will have free days in the week to recharge but also the peace of mind of almost earning double the amount I now have.

It's all good until you get kids. Then time starts to run differently. New chaos enters your life, and you must start organizing from beginning.

9-5 5 days a week is still too much.. we could all work 3 days a week and enjoy life on off days..

I just have a lot of difficulty in letting go things, especially if I think I could have done them before without too many problems and self-limitations of the old me.

It is also like one's drug of choice. 😂 Cheers!🇧🇻🎄

I live on the east coast of Florida and there is no nature around me. I hate living near so many people I want to move to the mountains so bad but I’m stuck here as my husband is from here. We work too much too. I wish I could move

I wish the option to reduce work days / hours was provided where I live. Is this an European thing?

Hey, tu habites en Suisse ? Ça me ferait plaisir d'échanger sur le sujet du slow living, je suis aussi beaucoup dedans. Au plaisir de te lire ✨

Hallo aus Deutschland :)

Good video, had a wonderful impact on my situation that I'm in. Is there any way to get in contact with you? I live in Germany, so language wouldn't be a problem :)

To live a slow life: take some footage of your day and just slow it down for RU-vid consumption. Simples.

Why are workplaces obsessed with 9-5 , 40 hour week ? Why not say when the works done go home. In my last job we just waited around for the last hour doing nothing.

You lost me at "I reduced my work week" as an American that statement is like saying "I parked my bicycle in the cheek of a caterpillars bazooka" it's just not a possibility.

Living a slow life is easy if you don’t have kids!

Impossible in education. What's a slow life? You obviously haven't been an instructor or teacher in higher education.

Incredible video! I really appreciate your advices! Thanks a lot! *pressed the button "Follow" immediately ☺*

Really good advice.