I’ve heard people say that if a city calls to you, there’s a part of your story waiting to happen there. For me, this city has always been London. For years I felt an undeniable pull towards the UK, and this spring I finally responded by spending 12 weeks studying at one of London’s most prestigious drama schools. It was a dream I had for years and I came home with much more than I expected. Alongside the theater classes and unforgettable memories, there was something I never saw coming: a completely different relationship with time.
You wouldn’t expect one of the busiest cities in the world to teach you how to slow down. But amid the constant movement of London, I noticed a calmly profound daily rhythm of life. The little rituals that people adopted—and that I slowly adopted myself—have made me feel more grounded, present, and connected each day. The best part? You don’t need to move abroad to experience it. These are the London-inspired rituals that I bring home and the ones that I hope to never leave behind.
Daily gatherings
Pub and cafe culture in Europe is different from that in the United States. There are always people gathered outside, a pint in hand or sipping an espresso. Of course we have good timebut there’s something magical about seeing people come together, chat, and have a good time on a Tuesday or Wednesday evening. No need to wait until Friday!
There’s no need to stay out super late to ruin your whole week either: going out for a pint can really mean just that. One drink, one hour, then you leave. I’m inspired by the idea of having more casual meetings in the middle of the week. To connect with neighbors and friends, you don’t have to wait until the weekend.
Tea as a ritual
The British will tell you: if you want to slow down, put the kettle on. In the UK, tea is not just a drink: it is part of everyday life. Everyone has a kettle and every common area at my drama school had one ready to use. Even though life didn’t necessarily stop at 3 p.m. for tea every day, I found myself reaching for a cup much more often than coffee. There was something comforting about the ritual itself: waiting for the water to boil, letting the tea steep for a few leisurely minutes, and starting the day gently instead of rushing through it.
I was also lucky enough to sample two traditional afternoon teas while living in London: one at the Wallace Collection and another at Raffles London at the OWO. Both were unforgettable, not only because of the beauty of the settings, but also because they reminded me that sharing a cup of tea really is an excuse to linger. It was a real pleasure to slow down, sip tea and enjoy the company of my friends.
This ritual is one that I take home with me. Whether it was tea, coffee, matcha, or even a Diet Coke, I began to view my daily beverage as a reason to take a break rather than something to consume while multitasking. It’s a small change, but it’s become one of the easiest ways to bring a little more presence to my day.
Long walks as a reset
Some of my favorite moments in London were the long solo walks it became an opportunity to take a mental break. Whether I was walking to school, having coffee at lunch, or walking home from a show in the West End, I was easily getting 12,000 steps a day simply by choosing to walk instead of taking the tube or bus.
These walks clarified the decisions I needed to make, and creative ideas seemed to find me at every turn. Just being present as I wandered the streets of London expanded my mind in ways I didn’t expect. If you’re not already taking a walk, put on your shoes and get outside. And even if you’re already tracking your daily steps, try a new route and see what you discover.
Midweek Events
As well as midweek pub dates, I made a Wednesday evening ritual of going to the theatre. To my surprise, every show I saw on a Wednesday was packed. Sure, there were probably plenty of tourists, but most productions were in smaller theaters that don’t typically attract tourist crowds. The seats were still full and it was such a joy to see so many people out and about mid-week. Each Wednesday show inspired me for the rest of the week.
It was another lesson not to wait until the weekend. Life can happen any day of the week. London offers so much to see and do, and it’s inspired me to explore my own city on weeknights instead of saving everything for Saturday and Sunday. Who says midweek theater dates have to stop in the US? If London has taught me anything, it’s that slowing down isn’t always about doing less: it can also come from making more room for the things that really fill you up.
Adopt a work-life mindset
During my stay in London, I couldn’t help but notice a different relationship to work. In the United States, it often feels like we’ve adopted a “live-work” mindset. We pride ourselves on working hard, staying late, and taking on an extra project after hours. But in the UK? It seems their mindset is a little different. Instead of living to work, they work to live.
Prioritizing breaks, seeing friends, and spending time outside didn’t seem like a luxury. They felt like they were part of normal life. And while not everyone signed in at exactly 5 p.m., there was a clear respect for the end of the workday that I found refreshing. Americans are incredibly entrepreneurial, and I sincerely admire our willingness to start businesses, pursue big dreams, and create opportunity. But my time abroad reminded me that ambition and rest don’t have to compete.
As I resettle in the United States, this is the balance I hope to maintain: continuing to pursue the goals that matter most to me while leaving as much room for slow mornings, long walks, time with friends, and downtime. This is perhaps the greatest lesson London has given me: not how to do less, but how to make room for a full life in every sense of the word. Cheers!
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