I recently came across this quote (Source Unknown), and it’s such a beautiful reminder to slow down—not just to rest the body, but to create space for emotions and thoughts we may have unknowingly suppressed. When we pause, truly pause, we give ourselves the opportunity to feel, process, and heal. It’s amazing what rises to the surface when we simply allow ourselves to be still.
I remember a therapist once asked me if I ever took time to do absolutely nothing. I confidently answered, "Yes, I meditate and practice Qi Gong!" But she gently pointed out that while those practices are wonderful, they still involve doing. She encouraged me to just sit—no distractions, no structure—simply be. That’s when I realised how much I had been bypassing by keeping busy. The moment I stopped doing, my thoughts flooded in, thoughts I had unknowingly pushed aside.
A few years later, I attended a Vipassana retreat, ten days of complete silence. And let me tell you—it was mind-blowing. Memories and emotions I hadn’t thought about in years resurfaced. It felt like a lifetime of unprocessed experiences rising to be acknowledged. But instead of getting caught up in them, I simply observed—no attachment, no judgment. Just awareness. And that was deeply healing. I left feeling so much lighter, like I had cleared space within myself.
Of course, I still get caught up in my thoughts sometimes. And I still have moments of rushing ahead, filling my time with doing, doing, doing. But now, I catch myself. I ask, "Am I doing this as a distraction?" If the answer is yes—or even if I’m unsure—I take a step back, breathe, and check in with myself.
Because if I don’t, I feel it. By the end of the day, I’m exhausted. Then, the moment my head hits the pillow, my restless mind takes over, keeping me awake. And that exhaustion carries into the next day, affecting everything—my energy, my clarity, my ability to be present.
So, I remind myself:
"When you slow down, you feel. When you feel, you heal. And when you heal, you grow. Sometimes, slowing down is the most productive thing you can do." – Source Unknown
Slowing down isn’t laziness. It’s wisdom. It’s healing. It’s the space where transformation happens.
Are you giving yourself permission to slow down?
