How Slowing Down Changed Everything for Me

In a world where hustle and the grind are glamorized, slowing down can feel like the most impossible and far-fetched thing to do.

“Why would I slow down when I have so much to do?” is something my brain would constantly tell me.

Not only that, but as women, we almost feel forced to wear so many different hats throughout the day (which all affect our energy in different ways).

I work with women who work full-time jobs, while also raising children, being the manager of the household, and making sure their kids get to school or activities on time. On top of that, they’re trying to make time to work out, meal prep, track their food, and somehow sleep 7 hours.

Did I mention that they also typically have financial or relationship stress constantly on their mind?

Or that they struggle with comparison every time they open up social media?

This is reality.

And it’s leading to an energy crisis.

We have no energy left for ourselves.

No energy to do the things we love to do. The things that give us purpose. Or make us feel alive.

Because our day becomes all about checking tasks off a list.

The harsh reality is, if we don’t make time to slow down, shift gears, and be more present…

Then it will ultimately affect our health in some way or another.

Your nervous system can only take so much hustle until it starts to live in fight-or-flight mode. That will lead to chronic fatigue, elevated cortisol, gut or thyroid issues, and hormone imbalances.

So, how do we combat this?

Well, I want to talk about my own personal journey of slowing down and talk about what it is vs. what it isn’t. Because what I’m finding is that there is a lack of structure or guidelines on how to slow down (in a way that we are comfortable with). And that there’s a common misconception that slowing down means doing nothing (and that’s the opposite of what we’re trying to do here).

Slowing down will be one of the most productive things you can do for yourself.

About 4-5 years ago, before I met my now husband… I thrived in the hustle (or at least I thought I did). I wanted to be that girl who could do it all. I wanted people to look at me and think, “Wow she’s hardworking.” I put all my value into how hard or long I worked. I was running a meal prep service out of my house while also growing my online business and managing 110+ clients. I coached CrossFit throughout the week, as well as personally trained clients on the side. Oh, and I was developing a healthy cookie dough product with two of my friends.

While I would never take those days back, my body started to feel the impact.

I herniated a disc in CrossFit.I started having debilitating gut pain and issues. I was chronically anxious.

I operated in a hyper-masculine state. Everything was about doing, vs being. I put aside anything that was creative (which, if you know me, I am an artist at my core), I wouldn’t allow myself to feel my feelings, I was stuck in an unhealthy relationship, and I was constantly comparing myself to other fitness coaches or entrepreneurs.

From the outside, I looked like I was thriving (and this is what’s difficult about our society). But internally, I was hurting.

I remember being on a team call with my business coach and when she asked what everyone wanted to call in this year, I started crying because all I wanted was “to feel creative again.”

I felt completely blocked. And that’s when I knew I had to change. I didn’t want to suffer from these gut issues anymore. I didn’t want to be on birth control anymore (which can block our emotions). I didn’t want to feel lost creatively.

Now, when it comes to slowing down, it’s all about baby steps.

Our nervous system thrives on patterns. If it notices a shift, it will send an alert response off. While slowing down is beneficial for our nervous system, when your body is used to go-go-go, and now you suddenly try to slow down, your nervous system can interpret that as unsafe.

This is why slowing down feels so hard.

It can make you feel vulnerable. Unsafe.

If your body is used to chaos, it will do everything to cling to that.

This is also why easing into a slower pace of living is so important.

A couple of ways to ease into your slow-down era could look like: • Paying more attention to your pace throughout the day and trying to slow down how fast you walk, how quickly you talk, how chaotically you are putting your dishes away (I see you multitasking) • Driving in silence or listening to classical music vs loud or heavy music • Putting your phone on DND so you’re not distracted by notifications (mine lives on DND 24/7) • Putting aside 5-10 minutes to journal every morning (I like to start off with “today I feel…” which will also help you tap more into your intuition)

Once you can start to feel a small shift, you can start asking yourself:

 “What helps me slow down, but also feel productive?”

This tends to be hobbies that help us feel creative, or things we used to love to do as kids.

This could look like roller skating, bike riding (for leisure … not exercise!), coloring, crocheting.

What I want to make very clear is that slowing down is not doing nothing.

It is switching your intention from doing something for an outcome, to doing something for YOU.

So if you like to stay active or have a hard time sitting still, start with going on a hike in nature, going on a nice slow bike ride around your neighborhood or on a biking path, or going to a yoga class.

Personally, I signed up for piano lessons. I got myself new colored pencils and would draw at coffee shops. I would go on hikes without any music and not give a f*ck about how many steps I was getting in. I went to Yin yoga every Thursday. I walked slower when I was doing chores.

And you know what? This was one of the hardest things I've ever done.

Slowing down took way more strength than it did to hit any PR in the gym.

But when I did, it gave me this new sense of strength. I now had emotional and mental strength.

Slowing down helped me feel empowered. More in tune with my body than ever before. More powerful.

And that’s because - 

 Slowing down is not weak. Slowing down takes strength.

And I know that you’re strong enough to try.