A new way to be, Slo-Fi Living is inspired by the aesthetic of lo-fi audio that is deliberately unpolished, it is all about embracing the imperfect and bringing the simpler moments of the past into our present.

The world is faster, louder, and more connected than ever before. Notifications ping, feeds refresh endlessly, and the urge to multitask has become second nature. Against this backdrop, many people are discovering the quiet appeal of what we are calling a Slo-Fi Living.

It’s a blend of two movements you may already know. First, the ‘slow living’ trend: an approach to life that encourages doing things more deliberately, mindfully, and at a gentler pace, like cooking from scratch, enjoying unhurried mornings, or choosing quality over quantity. This also ties into the trend for ‘minorstones’ over ‘milestones’. Unlike previous generations, for many of us affording a house, a wedding, getting promotions can take that bit longer, so rather than waiting only to celebrate life’s bigger moments minorstones encourage celebrating the small wins along the way. Then there’s the second movement ‘Lo-Fi’, short for “low fidelity”. While it started as a music term, it’s become shorthand for stripped-back, simple aesthetics: think lo-fi study beats, grainy film photos, or cosy, analogue vibes.

Put them together and you get Slo-Fi Living: a modern twist on digital detoxing that’s not about giving up tech completely, but about balancing it with grounding, analogue routines.

Therapist and sleep expert Malminder Gill explains why these shifts matter, “spending our downtime with technology often involves scrolling through social media or checking emails, which can activate our fight-or-flight response. Offline moments like journaling, painting, or film photography give us something screens cannot: mindful presence in the here and now.”

Slo-Fi Living practices offer a powerful counterbalance to digital overload. They help soothe overstimulated minds, bring us back into the present, and remind us that not everything has to move at the speed of a swipe. If you feel your life could use a little more calm, creativity, or presence, you’ll enjoy embracing the Slo-Fi Living. Here are six simple ways to start.

Capture Memories on Film

Film photography invites patience. With no instant preview, each shot is intentional, and the anticipation of development makes the outcome feel special. Blurred edges, awkward crops, and unexpected light leaks all add charm. As Malminder Gill explains, “offline moments like film photography allow us to focus on the process, grounding us in the moment and giving us space to be creative.” Instead of taking endless photos of everything, your curation becomes more mindful, capturing moments for memory rather than for algorithms. The result is an album of images that reflect life as it truly unfolds - unpredictable, imperfect, and all the more beautiful for it.

Switch Your Phone to Black and White

One of the simplest Slo-Fi Living hacks is to set your phone display to grayscale. Without colour, feeds lose their addictive pull. Tristan Harris, co-founder of the Center for Humane Technology, has pointed out that colour is a trigger for the brain’s reward system. Removing it makes devices feel more functional than entertaining. As the brightness fades, so does the urge to scroll. If you often find yourself slipping into a “just one more minute” cycle, this small tweak might help you break free, giving you back time and attention for the things that matter most.

Create Tech-Free Hours

Slo-Fi Living is about creating room for calm. One way to do that is to set aside tech-free hours each day. Whether it’s mornings without phones or evenings without screens, these pauses help reset the mind. Clinical Psychologist, Christine Schneider explains “when you choose to listen to music without multitasking, or make a cup of tea without checking your phone, you’re more present in the moment. That presence is linked with lower stress, better emotional regulation, and improved creativity.” Tech-free hours don’t need to be long but practiced regularly, they become restorative moments that anchor your day with intention. With the addictive nature of screens, achieving regular tech-free time is definitely a minorstone worth celebrating.

Revisit Old TV Shows and Films

As mentioned earlier, Slo-Fi Living is not about a rejection of technology. Comfort viewing can be a quiet form of Slo-Fi Living. Rewatching old series or films offers familiarity that soothes rather than overstimulates. Many find that nostalgic viewing can ease stress and lift the mood, helping you feel grounded. Instead of chasing the endless churn of new releases, try making retro viewing a weekly routine. You could choose a classic sitcom, a timeless black-and-white film, or an old favourite from your childhood. The point isn’t to reject screen time altogether, but to give yourself permission to relax into what you already love. Sometimes the stories we know best bring the greatest comfort.

Write by Hand

These days, reaching for your notes app often feels quicker than finding a pen and if you haven’t written in a while, you might even forget what your own handwriting looks like. However, writing by hand has its benefits. When you put pen to paper, you naturally slow down and become more intentional with your words.  

As Christine Schneider notes, “when you write by hand, your thoughts tend to slow down and become more reflective. That presence is linked with lower stress and improved creativity.” Whether it’s jotting down gratitude lists, drafting tomorrow’s to-dos, or keeping a diary, handwriting offers a centering pause. It’s also nice to look back at your own personal archive of ideas, memories, and moments you might have otherwise forgotten.

Rediscover Analogue Joys

There’s a certain charm to old-school habits. Spinning a vinyl record, writing a postcard, or flicking through a photo album feels special precisely because it takes a little more time. These analogue joys add texture to daily life and can be found in everyday moments. Try lighting a candle during dinner, soaking in a long bath, reading a paperback before bed, cooking a meal without rushing, or even brewing coffee slowly in a French press. These are just a few small habits you can weave into your day. You could even try taking up a craft such as knitting or embroidery – making something yourself from scratch is another minorstone worth celebrating. As Malminder Gill notes, tactile experiences like these soothe the nervous system and leave us feeling calmer and more creative.

The Slo-Fi Living is all about balance, weaving in slower, analogue moments that anchor us in the present. It’s not about being perfect or hyper-productive, instead it’s about the small things writing by hand, listening without multitasking, or setting aside time offline. Simple practices, yet their effects run deep, they bring focus, lower stress, and strengthen our connection to ourselves and others.

As Christine Schneider reminds us, “what’s particularly striking is how accessible these habits are. They don’t require big lifestyle changes, just a conscious choice to create pauses and bring attention to the ordinary. Over time, those pauses accumulate, and people often feel calmer, more intentional, and more connected to themselves and others.” In a culture that celebrates speed, slowing down can feel like the most luxurious act of all.