Finding calm among city chaos: Hinna’s story

Living with intention

For Hinna, slow living isn’t about doing less – it’s about doing things with more intention: “I view ‘slow living’ as choosing to step back from the noise of everyday life and making space for calm and stillness,” she says.

“It’s about finding balance between pursuing growth and progress, while also appreciating the present and reflecting on how far I’ve come. In that space, I find the energy and clarity to keep moving forward with more intention.”

It’s a way of life that’s become especially important in 2025: “The world feels faster and more overwhelming,” she explains. “Rising costs, civil unrest and the pressures of social media can make me feel dysregulated. Slow living gives me space to step back, recentre and focus on what matters to me.”

Rituals that bring calm to city life

Living in London can feel like living at full volume, but Hinna has found ways to turn the noise down. Her faith gives her a built-in rhythm to pause for prayer during the day – moments she says work much like mindfulness or meditation. She also creates balance with grounding rituals:

• Walks along the River Lea

• Workouts and quiet spa days at the gym

• Monthly charity work with the Separated Child Foundation

• Evenings in with friends and her cat

• Getting creative with crafts like pottery, beaded jewellery making, tufting and painting

“It’s not necessarily about big or expensive activities, but even small, intentional choices can help create calm and make me feel like my best self in the midst of it all.

“These little rituals remind me to invest in myself while staying grounded in gratitude and community,” she says.

Lessons from burnout: Rest without guilt

Like many Londoners, Hinna’s fast-paced lifestyle once led her to burnout. While juggling a demanding role at work and supporting her family through a difficult time, the constant travel and splitting herself between commitments left little room for herself. She learnt there’s no fast-forward button to recovering.

“You can’t rush ‘un-burning out’ – I had to be patient with myself. I spent time understanding my triggers and learning how to soften them. My biggest lesson: resting without guilt!”

That mindset shift helped her set healthier boundaries with both work and family responsibilities – and reprioritise her wellbeing without apology.

The role of massage

Alongside prayer, nature and movement, massage has become one of Hinna’s go-to tools for slowing down.

“Wellness practices pull me out of the day-to-day rush and help me create calmness and reconnect with my body and mind,” she explains. “They mirror what my faith already teaches me: to be present, to appreciate the world around me and to take care of myself from body to soul.”

Her go-to Urban treatment is a relaxing massage that focuses on her neck and shoulders – the first to tighten up from long hours at her desk: “I suffer from muscle spasms, so that really helps,” she says.

Slowing down with the seasons

As a self-proclaimed “summer girl,” Hinna leans on cosy home rituals when the days get shorter: hosting dinners and craft activities with friends, running healing baths, curling up with a cup of tea and her cat.

“As soon as the days start to become greyer, you’ll often find me spending more time indoors. I’ve made my home a little sanctuary,” she says.

One piece of advice for living slower

For anyone caught up in the rush of modern life, Hinna has one reminder: zoom out.

“What are you really rushing towards, and how is it serving you? Most of the time, the pressure we put on ourselves isn’t as urgent as it feels. Slowing down doesn’t mean falling behind – it means having the space to recharge so you can offer your best self to those around you.”

Take a leaf out of Hinna’s book

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