Guide to Slow Living in a City (5 Tips)

Is it possible to live a slow living lifestyle in a bustling city? In my view, that’s a resounding yes!
I’ve lived in both large cities and small villages. And even though urban life tends to follow a higher pace, the slow lifestyle is not reserved for those that live off the beaten path.
In this video, I’m going to share my guide to slow living in a city with you. Five tips to live more slowly, without actually having to leave the city.
0:00 - Introduction
0:39 - 1. Become a tourist in your own city
3:52 - 2. Find quiet public spaces
5:09 - 3. Living at the third story
6:42 - 4. Make your home slow
9:07 - 5. Engage with art
- BOOKS MENTIONED IN VIDEO -
• Jenny Odell - How To Do Nothing: a.co/d/4dsjLuq
• William Powers - New Slow City: a.co/d/fWlksfG
- LINKS -
☕️ Buy me a coffee: ko-fi.com/petercook
♪ TikTok: / slowlivingminimalist
🖼 Posters: iampetercook.gumroad.com/l/po...
💻 Try Skillshare for free for 1 month: www.skillshare.com/en/r/user/...
📚 Interesting books to read:
• Stoicism For Beginners: a.co/d/hPU8GTX
• Minimalism 101: a.co/d/bJkA6Lt
• Declutter Your Life: a.co/d/carqttB
DISCLAIMER: Some of the links are affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase, I may earn a commission, at no cost to you.

[@IAmPeterCook]

What is your best slow living tip for city dwellers?

[@judemathieu3717]

We live adjacent to a city park, we find ourselves walking through there every day. So wonderful!

[@jimitshah7636]

Walking at night, after shops have closed, under street lights.

[@heathercooksey9726]

Walk in Central Park, decorate my apartment like a cottage with lots of plants, bake and share homemade breads with my elderly neighbor and talk to her, visit tea and coffee shops, people watch, walks at twilight, aimlessly roam the city going into thrift shops and old book stores, organize get togethers, grow herbs and green onions on my windowsill, hang a bird feeder on my fire escape and watch the birds, along with wind chimes and wind down with instrumental music, tea, candles and a book.

[@ExLibris-Alys]

As I’m taking a walk around the city I combat the noise of traffic/people etc by wearing my air pods and playing bird song or even the sound of a rain storm as I walk. Just make sure the volume isn’t so high that you can’t hear anything else at all as that could be dangerous. I’m quite good at shutting out street sounds even without my air pods now.

[@rozaucja8612]

I feel like my life would be perfect if it wasn't for loud neighbor upstairs. I always get a neighbor like that :( the noise drains life out of me, night parties, loud heavy walking, chairs and dropping things. Flats are so expensive in Poland so it's extremely difficult to rent one that suits one's needs. Safe living spaces should be elementary goods. Everyone deserves a good night sleep. Thank you for the video.

[@boompace]

Wow youre good! I heard if youtubers do 50 videos the go viral. Keep posting. Your voice is so soothing.

[@IAmPeterCook]

Thank you! 😊

[@cathyl1954]

I have done that several times over the years I have lived in Santa Fe New Mexico. It is full of History

[@Vestu]

This channel is a great support to my treatment of depression and anxiety. Thank you. I'm a happy subscriber.

[@IAmPeterCook]

Happy to hear it, Vestu! 😀

[@nilox2823]

Thank you, this is a fantastic video with great tips!

[@IAmPeterCook]

Glad you found it helpful, Nilo!

[@lindaauld9752]

Loved your tips on slow living ! Just when I thought I knew everything about minimalism I realise how slow living can enhance it even further !! For me having my home a sanctuary is very important as we have had a terrible week in Durban with massive looting and violence. Linda

[@IAmPeterCook]

Thanks, Linda! I'm sorry to hear about the situation in Durban, I hope things will improve soon 🤞. You're right, slow living and minimalism go really well together. Minimalism is a way to get rid of clutter and focus on what's essential, and a slow living lifestyle helps us to appreciate everything more!

[@sincerelyhm4662]

New subscriber! 🙋‍♀️ thanks so much for your amazing videos 💕

[@IAmPeterCook]

You're welcome, glad you like them. 😀

[@ABrigitteM]

Thank you 🙏

[@worldview730]

Great lifestyle you present PETER👍👍

[@IAmPeterCook]

Glad to hear you liked the video! ✨

[@grizzlythicc1286]

Amazing take. This makes my choice in choosing to move to an urban area more solid!

[@patriciamiller1790]

What a lovely guy (sooo peaceful) thank you ♥️

[@IAmPeterCook]

Thank you, Patricia! Glad you found to peaceful 😊.

[@carolinefasth4030]

I love your videos. Much inspiration. Im introvert too. Thank you for saying that.

[@IAmPeterCook]

You are very welcome, Caroline! Glad you love the videos.

I very enjoy your videos and your energy. 😊

[@IAmPeterCook]

Thanks Edite, I appreciate that!

[@LifeOfBellaAmit]

Thanks for this video 🥰🙏

[@IAmPeterCook]

My pleasure 😊

[@jenniferma1982]

I really enjoy your videos Peter! They are practical and realistic. I also believe you don't need to move to a different city or travel to slow down...but appreciating what we already have and enjoying the present moment. 😊

[@IAmPeterCook]

Thanks. Jennifer! Yes, having the right mindset can make all the difference 😀.

[@enaanand]

love your tips! i love strolling, no matter where i am... my tip is to get into the present moment and pay attention to whatever is showing up and unfolding around you. it's a sort of walking meditation... pay attention to the beauty around: the trees, the flowers, the doors... then the smells, the sounds, the music ... (especially if you are lucky enough to find yourself in a magical place like Spain for example) ;)

[@IAmPeterCook]

That's a great tip, Leela, and ties in with the 'tourist in your own city' tip. Often there's so much to see and experience all around us (even in familiar places) if we're just bringing our attention to it 🙂.

[@annika4475]

Thank you for this kind reminder ! I enjoyed watching your video. :) Your tips reminded me of a time when I lived in Berlin. I loved it to be "a tourist" in my own city, to find quiet public hidden spaces or to visit an art galary or a museum. After my time in Berlin I forgot about this way of living because I had new and different goals in my new hometown. It's time to revisit these tips.

[@IAmPeterCook]

I'm glad the video brought back some good memories of your time living in Berlin, An nika 😉

[@ShroomFactory]

An interesting experiment is to say a color in your head, keep saying it, repeatedly, and notice how that color pops out in your environment. Then switch colors and watch how it changes in your vision + mind.

[@marcijlo]

Hi Peter, I have just moved into an apartment in a very busy part of Johannesburg so I am still trying to find my slow living tip! The stillness of solitude is the best! Thank you for your video, I am new to your channel.

[@IAmPeterCook]

I hope you can find the time and headspace to live more slowly in Johannesburg, Marci! Since you say it's in a busy part of town, a great way to get started is to make your apartment a little urban sanctuary. Good luck 🙂!

[@marcijlo]

@@IAmPeterCook thank you Peter!

[@fredericmayer899]

exxellent, thank you for you vidéos

[@IAmPeterCook]

You are welcome!

[@ruthweah7615]

Get out of the city by bike and explore the country side next to the city, maybe there is a farm where you can buy fresh veggie's or eggs. In my town, just outside it, in the country side, there is an outdoor plant-shop, i buy plants for my balcony and it feels like a day vacation

[@IAmPeterCook]

Great suggestions, Ruth! 🚲

[@Californiansurfer]

Downey ca. I went to local library. We had carpanters and bob big boy and mcdonalds and the first Taco Bell. Wow , I have leaned something of home. Wow, thanks.. Downey ca.

[@monicawalls8184]

9:05 I cant tell whether the last one was "reading" or "eating" but you know both calm me down 😆 yes great points, going to be a tourist in my own city (Columbus Ohio) tomorrow with my mom. So excited.

[@IAmPeterCook]

Both work, Monica! 🤣 Have fun exploring Columbus, Ohio, with your mom. I hope the 'tourist in your own city' tip will help the both of you to see the familiar with a fresh pair of eyes.

[@ralph9768]

Good tips and video. Great book - new slow city. I highly recommend 12x12 by William Powers.

[@IAmPeterCook]

Thanks for the tip Ralph! 🙌🏻

[@shannonkringen]

I do in Seattle. Lots of nature here ....my focus is on my art taking photos and nature and animals and I tune most noise out

[@IAmPeterCook]

Sounds great, Shannon! ✨

[@jasonmims5057]

Minneapolis is a great city for people that want to live a slow life in a city. Dispite it being a city it has a relaxed pace. Theres lots of art and cultural options. I've read that it's the second biggest theatre city in the US and there's an excellent art museum, the Minneapolis institute of art which has hundreds of art works to look at with no admission fee. There's also has many great parks that have been rated the best in the country. But city life and nature are very well balanced here which create the perfect environment for slow living. Also are winters are very cold and long so that further contributes to slow living.

[@IAmPeterCook]

I didn't know that, Jason. From what you describe, Minneapolis sounds like a wonderful slow-paced city with lots of nature, art & cultural events. Hope to visit it one day!

[@jaysterling26]

The cost of the pavilion ( years ago) was extortionate for what you see. I get the fame , etc. ,but I think looking at your video would be better IMHO (& buy you a coffe instead). Also , when others are there it's a RPIA. Yes, I'm Mr avuncular. Pete- you're a natural in front of the camera. If any company wants thier employees awake after a PowerPoint presentation they should call you. Cheers.

[@IAmPeterCook]

Thanks for the kind words, Jay! Anyone is welcome to watch my videos after a boring PowerPoint presentation 😅

[@EdithaSeva]

Thank new. new subscriber here

[@IAmPeterCook]

Welcome to the team! 🙌🏻

[@dArtagnan712]

...maybe live in a small town, in close proximity to a city, especially if it provides immediate access to hiking, scenic walking and other outdoor recreational activities.

[@IAmPeterCook]

That's sounds like a good middle ground, to have access to the best of both worlds!

[@carolinefasth4030]

Could you make a video talking more about introverts.

[@IAmPeterCook]

Thanks for the suggestion! Will add it to the list 😉

[@carolinefasth4030]

@@IAmPeterCook Wow. Thank you 🙏🌺

[@shenlaw]

Clicked through link to Amazon and ordered “12 x 12” by same author. I’ll read that one first, looks interesting too.

[@IAmPeterCook]

I've not read 12x12 yet, but I know William Powers wrote that first. Hope you'll enjoy it!

[@perlefisker]

4:09 Nature? Everything you say about the constant noise and visual pollution of the city is true, but the measures you mention to stay with it, is just survival, an escape when you have to look up at the third storey. You are still a rat. I don't know if you are actually aware that your suggestions to cope are involving a massive consuming of culture - or recreational spaces of artificial nature. And being able to choose a peaceful or green area in the city is not for all - and in fact for fewer and fewer. No, in order to leave the rat race, there's only one way out - and that's out of the city. Thank you, however, to help people getting aware of both slow living, mindfulness and minimalism - and all the best to you.

[@meashep]

Great Video. I have enjoyed it very much. Thumbs up. Lets connect. Please continue to produce more. "Like" #

[@IAmPeterCook]

Thank you!