The Soft Wisdom of Learning to Slow Down
When the Momentum Fades and the Body Speaks Up
Hello, my friend, and welcome to The Pause.
I’ve been on the move for weeks, it feels. The Autumn mini tour for ‘Saber tornar’, the interviews, and speaking at events, has been a delight, and it made my days fuller and more structured than usual. I still did my morning pages every day, fed myself fairly well, and got on my yoga mat regularly, all knowing that as December arrived, I’d have some time to pause. Yet, not gonna lie, it was quite a lot. 😅
As I slowed down, something unexpected happened: I started to feel more tired than when I was busy and on the go. I felt not just sleepy-tired, but bone-tired, soul-tired… the kind that only shows up when your body finally has permission to speak.
I’ve been running on adrenaline and the excitement of a debut author watching her first novel enter the world, and honestly, I didn’t realize how much that momentum was propping me up. I thought I was fine… better than fine, even! I was doing meaningful work, meeting lovely people, and having incredible conversations that moved me deeply.
But now that I have the space to take a moment, the exhaustion has risen like a tide: short attention span, fatigue, and a low tolerance for stress were my most apparent signs. Back in the day, this kind of crash would usually throw me into a flare, so honestly? I’ll take the improvement. 😶
My body is telling me: you can stop now. You’re allowed to rest.
When You Finally Have Time to Feel
It’s a little bit like going on a long, fun hike or throwing yourself into your favourite sport for two hours after some time away… You don’t notice in the moment, because you’re fueled by joy and momentum, and then the next day… you’re unexpectedly sore as f**k.
The effort catches up with you only when the excitement settles.
The body waits until you’re home, showered, fed, and safe to say, “Okay, now here’s how that actually felt.”
An Opportunity to Check in
Living with a chronic illness for over a decade has taught me the importance of checking in with myself whenever I can. I’ve learned—sometimes the hard way—that I need to ask what my body truly needs if I want to avoid burnout or a flare.
Moments like this, when I finally slow down enough to feel what’s been building under the surface, become precious. They’re invitations to pause, to soften, to listen without rushing toward a solution.
What I like to do is make myself a warm drink, find a cozy spot, and journal, asking myself the following:
What have I been moving too quickly to feel?
What is the softest, smallest need I can honour today?
What wisdom becomes clearer when I finally slow down?
These questions help me return to myself, slowly and gently, every time.
A Small Grounding Practice
If you’re reading this and realizing you’ve also been running on momentum, if you feel tired but still want gentle movement…
You might try my YouTube class, Yoga for Tired People.
It’s grounding, slow, and designed for the days when your body is asking for softness instead of effort.
As I settle into this slower season, I’m remembering that rest doesn’t always feel luxurious at first. Sometimes it feels like truth. Sometimes it feels like the body finally exhaling after holding so much for so long.
If your December is asking you to soften, too, I hope you give yourself permission to listen. There’s a quiet wisdom waiting for you in the pause.
Alright, my friend, until we meet again, pause often, breathe deeply, and be kind, especially to yourself.
Much love,
Laia. 💛