When Slow Living Gets Messy: Real Reflections on Overworking and Self-Prioritization
Today, I want to keep it completely honest: I haven’t been very slow lately.
And that’s okay.
Overworking and Rationalizing
The past few days, I’ve noticed myself overworking—long stretches at my computer, tweaking my website, trying to get everything “just right” for podcast appearances. I found myself rationalizing it: “Well, I have a lot coming up. My website has to be perfect for new listeners.”
Sound familiar? I think many of us do this. We justify overworking because it feels necessary—even when it’s not. And here’s the truth: it wasn’t necessary. The tasks could have waited.
But here’s the difference from the past: before, I would have fully bought into that rationalization. I would have overworked mindlessly, thinking it made me productive or even “better” than others. Now, I notice the pattern quickly, and I can intervene.
Recognizing the Warning Signs
Because I live a slow-living lifestyle, I’m more in tune with myself. I can sense when my pace is off. I noticed:
I was working longer than usual without breaks.
I skipped meals and even bathroom breaks.
My rationalizations were taking over my judgment.
This morning, I woke up exhausted—eyes red from screens, body tired, mental energy low. I struggled to get my daughter out the door calmly, which reminded me why rest is so important. If I don’t rest, I can’t show up fully—for myself or for others.
The Power of Pausing
Here’s what I did: I acknowledged it. I decided to rest. And I’m not talking about scrolling on my phone “rest”—I mean real rest. After a client session, I plan to nap and recharge. I’ve accumulated sleep debt, thanks to overworking and the seasonal shift in daylight. My body needs it, and I’m giving myself permission.
This is a core principle of slow living: prioritize yourself first. You can’t serve anyone else if you’re depleted.
Slow Living Isn’t About Perfection
There’s no “perfect time” to embrace slow living or slow motherhood. Life doesn’t pause for us to find the right moment. There will always be obstacles, curveballs, and interruptions—children, work, weather, unexpected tasks.
Slow living isn’t a diet or a Pinterest-worthy lifestyle. It’s not about achieving a flawless image of motherhood or productivity. It’s about:
Noticing your patterns quickly
Adjusting your pace when needed
Eliminating what isn’t essential
Returning to your values and priorities
Even when I “fall off” my slow-living path, I’m not failing. Coming back to awareness, rest, and reflection is what keeps this lifestyle alive.
A Gentle Reminder for Women
As women, we’re often taught to give endlessly, people-please, and avoid disappointing others. But sometimes, the best thing we can do is disappoint someone else instead of ourselves.
A quote from Untamed that I shared with my grandmother resonated deeply:
“If you have to pick between disappointing someone else or disappointing yourself, always disappoint that someone else.”
Rest when you need to. Protect your energy. And forgive yourself when life gets messy. It’s all part of the process.
Reflection
Slow living isn’t about perfection—it’s about returning to yourself, even after you wobble. Take a moment today to reflect:
Where in your life are you overworking or overextending?
What is one small way you could honor your need for rest today?
How can you bring awareness back to your patterns without judgment?