Riyadh: In a society undergoing rapid transformation, a quiet subculture is growing — one that does not involve screens, hashtags or the constant buzz of notifications.
Across Saudi Arabia, many young Saudis are intentionally slowing down their evenings, trading fast-paced routines for peaceful rituals that prioritize connection, stillness and mindfulness.
These “slow evenings,” as they are being called by some, are deliberate pauses — moments curated by young people to reconnect with themselves, their surroundings and each other.
Experts say that the trend toward slower evenings is a natural response to overstimulation.
Dr. Ashwaq Al-Harbi, a psychologist based in Madinah, believes that this movement is a healthy psychological reaction to modern burnout.
“Young Saudis are constantly exposed to pressure — academic, social, digital. Choosing to slow down in the evening is a way to reclaim control over their mental space. It’s not laziness — it’s intentional rest.”
She also emphasized the deeper cultural inspiration behind the trend.
“There’s a strong emotional memory tied to slower lifestyles in Saudi culture — sitting with family, storytelling, making coffee from scratch. What we’re seeing now is not just a wellness trend, it’s a return to emotional familiarity in an unfamiliar time.”
For 27-year-old Sara Al-Mutairi, slow evenings began during Ramadan last year.
“I started hosting weekly gatherings on my apartment balcony after iftar,” she said. “No phones, just tea, oud and conversations that go past midnight. It made me realize how rare it is to really be present with people.”
The gatherings became a routine. Now, even outside of Ramadan, Al-Mutairi dedicates her Thursday nights to what she calls “slow-time dinners” with friends, complete with handwritten menus, jazz records and candlelight.
“I needed a break from the endless scrolling,” she added. “This is my version of peace.”
In Dammam’s older neighborhoods, 29-year-old Faisal Al-Amri has started reviving the simple pleasures his grandparents once enjoyed.
“My friends and I meet at my uncle’s diwaniya twice a week,” he said. “We bring homemade snacks, play backgammon and baloot, and talk about books we’re reading. No one’s checking their phones unless it’s to play music.”
For him, these evenings are about reclaiming “mental clarity.”
“It’s not nostalgia,” he said. “It’s about choosing a rhythm that feels human again.”
Not everyone is social during their slow evenings. For some, the experience is more about self-care.
Atheer Al-Dosari, 27, a nurse in Khobar, ends her workdays with a ritual that she has refined over the past year.
“I light bukhoor, turn on old Umm Kulthum tracks, and write in my journal before bed,” she said. “I used to spend my nights jumping between Netflix and TikTok. Now, I sleep better and I feel more grounded.”
Her friends have adopted similar routines — oiling their hair while catching up on poetry books, making fresh mint tea, or simply sitting in silence on their rooftops under the stars.
“We’re not rejecting modern life,” Al-Dosari said. “We’re just choosing to slow it down, especially at night.”
While most cafes in Saudi cities continue to offer WiFi and ambient music, a growing number of young Saudis are seeking out quieter spaces that align with the spirit of “slow evenings.”
In Riyadh, venues such as The Book Club and Sophia Library have become go-to spots for those craving a slower pace. These are cultural cafes that offer visitors a chance to read, reflect or engage in quiet conversations away from distractions.
While not everyone has the luxury of slowing down, many young Saudis are making space for it — even if just one night a week.
“It’s like my way of saying no to burnout,” said 25-year-old Sara Waleed, a medical intern in Jeddah. “I can’t control the chaos during the day, but my evenings are mine. I make them slow on purpose.”
For this generation — often labeled as fast-moving, tech-obsessed and overstimulated — reclaiming slow evenings may be the most radical act of all.
