By Eve Bell

As I’ve gotten back into my post Christmas routine, I’ve noticed something. When people ask how my Christmas was, I caught myself saying, “We didn’t really do much. But I felt so busy.” I usually do loads of jigsaws over Christmas. But I didn’t seem to find the time to do one this year.

It made me pause and really think what I’ve just said. How can I have not have done “much” and still felt busy?

Recently, I read something saying that most of us have about 4-5 hours of free time each day. Yet, we rarely feel like we have any. The gap isn’t about how much time we have, it’s about how we spend it. Most of that “free” time is spent staring at screens, feeling overwhelmed, or disconnected. Our time isn’t truly free – it’s filled with distractions. We’re not short on time. We’re short on attention. Our minds are so full of “mental tabs” that even downtime feels busy.

We live in a culture that glorifies busyness. From jam-packed calendars to constant notifications, the pressure to do more, be more, and achieve more can feel overwhelming.

I’ve spent the past few years trying little ways to unlearn this rush of life. Unbusyness isn’t about adding more productivity hacks to your life. It’s not about waking up at 5am or optimising every minute. It’s about creating tiny pockets of pause.

Think of it like turning down the volume on a radio that’s been blasting all day. You don’t need to switch it off completely—just enough to hear yourself think.

I’ve found there are simple ways to rewire our days, making them feel a little more spacious, intentional, and meaningful instead of crammed and chaotic. Slowing down isn’t a luxury. It’s a radical act. One I’ve often thought of as the first step to slowing consumption which can have an impact on climate change.

Here are five simple ways to begin unlearning the rush:

Start with Your Morning

The way we start our day sets the tone for everything that follows. Start your day with a pause, not panic. Instead of diving straight into tasks or checking your phone, create a few minutes of intentional stillness.

• If you can, avoid using your phone as an alarm. Charge it in another room when you go to bed.
• Enjoy your tea or coffee without distractions.
• Light a candle or find a quiet place to be.
• Write down three intentions for the day, or simply sit in stillness for five minutes.
• Before you pick up your phone, close your eyes and take three deep breaths. Even one will do.

Embrace Single-Tasking

Multitasking might feel productive, but it often leads to stress and scattered attention. Instead, practice doing one thing at a time with full focus.

• When eating, put your phone away and focus on the taste and texture of your food.
• When working, turn off unnecessary tabs and notifications. Or even better, put your phone in another room.
• I like to avoid apps when I can, so I use an old-fashioned egg timer to remind me to focus fully on one task at a time.

Create No-Rush Zones in Your Day

Designate parts of your day where you intentionally slow down, even if just for 10 minutes. This gives you space to reconnect with the present moment.

• Walk to the shop or anywhere close by instead of driving.
• Schedule longer gaps between meetings, or leave your house 10 minutes earlier than usual.
• Before you dive into a task, give yourself time to sit quietly for a few breaths.
• If you find errands piling up, make time to break them into smaller parts instead of rushing to get everything done at once.

Set Boundaries Around Technology

Technology is one of the biggest contributors to feeling rushed. Constant notifications and endless scrolling keep us “on” all the time. Reclaim your attention by creating distance from the digital rush.

• Use “do not disturb” mode during focus times.
• Limit social media use to specific windows of time.
• Establish phone-free zones at home, and designate phone-free mornings or afternoons for quality family time.
• Have phone-free mornings or afternoons where you engage in hobbies or connect with loved ones without distraction.
• Try tech-free evenings—read a book, journal, or simply enjoy quiet time without screens.

Redefine Success

Often, the rush comes from trying to meet external expectations or prove our worth. Take time to reflect on what truly matters to you, and define success on your own terms.

• Write down three things that bring you joy and fulfillment and let these guide your priorities.
• Reflect on what success means to you right now, and what might shift if you let go of chasing someone else’s version of success.
• Take stock of your calendar. Where can you say “no” to things that aren’t aligned with your true values?
• Set monthly intentions that reflect your personal definition of success, rather than external markers of achievement.

The beauty of these tiny shifts is that they don’t need batteries, apps, or subscriptions. They don’t demand that you transform your entire life or wake up at 5am. They simply invite you to notice the spaces between all the doing.

Here’s what nobody tells you about slowing down: It’s not about managing your time better. It’s about managing your relationship with time. It’s about questioning the voice that says everything needs to happen right now.

When was the last time you felt truly unrushed?

Maybe it’s time we all started collecting moments of pause instead of collecting more things to do.