Slowing Down Isn’t Losing Momentum — It’s Gaining Clarity
As I was preparing to launch something new, I ran out of steam.
Let me take a step back. I had a goal in mind. I knew my target audience and the problem I wanted to solve.
I had a strategy, a plan, a workflow, and a schedule. And I was on track.
But then I ran out of steam. That was something I didn’t plan for.
Watch: How to Slow Down on Purpose (and Still Move Forward)
The Pressure to Keep Going
I'm in the middle of my own transition. From more than 15 years as an employee to less than a year as a solopreneur. A team of one. It’s old me vs new me. Or becoming me.
I went from feeling unsupported in my role to supporting myself fully. From the wrong environment to my own environment where I am my own soft landing. From deferring to someone else to making ALL of the decisions.
I told myself to stay “consistent”. Because I know it takes time to change old ways – to rewire the brain. I know it takes time to build up muscles and not just the physical ones. Confidence. Tenacity.
But does being consistent mean burning myself out?
One week before launch, I ran out of steam. And if I was still in corporate, I would have been expected to “push through” and “rally”. And I probably would have.
But one of the reasons why I chose entrepreneurship – actually, it chose me – is because I wanted to be free from environments that expected me to push myself beyond my limits. With no appreciation or acknowledgement of my efforts.
I also had to check in with myself to make sure I wasn’t self-sabotaging or giving into fear. Because I was doing something new.
Was I just moving the goalpost?
And I realized that I was still operating the way I did in my previous job. A job where no matter what I did, it was never “enough” for some people.
For me though? As long as I make my best effort, it’s enough. And that’s when it clicked:
I was trying my best – and my best looks different every day.
I was still showing up behind the scenes – even though I stopped posting on social media.
I was still honoring my body – even though I wasn’t closing all of my rings on my watch.
I was still taking intentional action, even though it didn’t look like it from the outside.
A New Kind of Momentum
And I gave myself permission to take my foot off the gas. To pause. Not to stop.
I think I was scared to slow down because what if I lost momentum? But then I remembered something from high school track. Stay with me.
I only ran for one season, but I still remember this lesson: to sprint at full speed, you have to start from the right position. You have to get set.
And to do that, you actually step back. You press into the blocks, engage your legs, and build the force you need to launch forward.
That pause, that moment right before the race starts is what gives you power.
If you rush it, you miss the alignment. And without alignment, you won’t get the momentum you’re looking for.
Pausing doesn’t mean failing — it means making room for something more aligned. It means finding joy, honoring yourself, and trusting the process.
Just like the track runner, pausing doesn’t take away your momentum; it sets you up for the next big move.
Sometimes, pausing is the most powerful next step. If you’re craving support as you slow down and listen inward, I’d love to walk with you.