Breaking the Habit of Hurry: How Slowing Down Can Transform Your Life

Feeling constantly rushed and overwhelmed? Discover the impact of hurry culture, why it’s stealing your peace, and how to reclaim your time with intentional, slow living rooted in presence, purpose, and faith.

“Hurry, get your shoes on—you’re going to be late!”

“Hurry up and eat!”

“Hurry, let’s get the kids to bed!”

Sound familiar?

For many of us—especially busy moms—“hurry” has become a daily mantra. We rush from task to task, day after day, driven by an invisible urgency to keep going. But what are we really rushing for?

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on this pattern and came to a difficult realization: my anxiety isn’t just caused by circumstances—it’s rooted in my own need to rush.

The High Cost of a Hurried Life

Despite having no real deadlines, I found myself stuck in a loop of rushing:

• Rush before the baby wakes

• Rush to clean before homeschool

• Rush through dinner, bedtime, even moments of peace

This constant push created mental clutter, anxiety, and disconnection. I wasn’t just rushing through chores—I was rushing through life.

Hurry Culture: A Modern Epidemic

We live in a culture obsessed with speed:

• Instant gratification through 2-day shipping

• Streaming everything on-demand

• Constant digital connection and notifications

We’ve become addicted to urgency. The pressure to be available, respond immediately, and constantly engage online is exhausting and unnatural.

I heard a quote recently from The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry that hit me hard: “If the devil can’t make you sin, he’ll make you busy.”

That one line forced me to confront the truth: I was giving away my time to things that didn’t matter.

What Are We Missing in the Rush?

We fill our calendars with activities, to-do lists, social commitments, and digital noise. But in doing so, we risk missing the quiet, sacred moments that actually make life meaningful.

• Quality time with our children and spouses

• Uninterrupted time with God

• Simple joys like bedtime stories, homemade meals, and real conversations

Why do we hurry through these moments—the very ones we’ll long for one day?

The Power of Intentional, Slow Living

I want to rewrite my story—not one of rushed mornings and blurry memories, but one filled with crystal-clear moments that make up a meaningful life.

Here’s what I’m learning:

• Slow living isn’t laziness—it’s a conscious choice to be present

• Stillness isn’t wasted time—it’s where peace is found

• Disconnection from technology is often a reconnection with God and family

How to Break the Hurry Habit

If you’re ready to live more intentionally, here are a few simple shifts that have helped me:

1. Put Down the Phone

Unplug from social media, endless scrolling, and comparison culture. Life isn’t meant to be lived through a screen.

2. Create Space to Breathe

Build buffer time into your day. Give yourself permission to rest, linger, and enjoy.

3. Reconnect with Your ‘Why’

Ask yourself regularly: Am I living my priorities or just reacting to my schedule?

4. Watch Your Words

Catch yourself when you say, “Hurry.” Ask—what’s the rush? Is it really necessary?

5. Be Present on Purpose

Mentally and emotionally engage in the moment you’re in. Whether it’s folding laundry or reading to your child—be there.

Let’s Choose Peace Over Productivity

One day, the moments we’re rushing through will be memories. We won’t remember the to-do list—we’ll remember the snuggles, the laughter, the stillness.

So today, I’m choosing to:

• Slow down

• Speak gently

• Be still

• Live intentionally

• Disconnect to reconnect

How Will You Live Your Story?

You don’t need permission to pause. But if you do, here it is:

Take a deep breath. Slow your pace. Live your moments.

Don’t let the best parts of your life blur by. You were created for more than hustle.