The Radical act of making space & slowing down
Weekly Dose of Work Recovery Vol. 1.29.25
Last week, I did something radical: I closed my laptop at 1 PM and sat in complete silence. No emails. No Instagram. No phone notifications demanding my attention. Just me, my thoughts, and a notebook. Oh and some new sage incense I bought ;)
Six years ago, I would have considered this wasted time. Today? I recognize it as the ultimate luxury – especially as we are expected to be everything to everyone.
We live in a world that celebrates folks who “ appear” to do it all: crushing deadlines, maintaining perfect homes, staying fit, and showing up flawlessly on social media. The message is clear: optimize every minute, maximize your output, and never slow down.
Recently, a close friend (a successful C-Suite leader) shared something that struck me deeply: "I can't remember the last time I had space or energy for me." As we talked, I felt her stress of trying to juggle countless priorities, her attention fractured into micro pieces. She was doing it all – except being present.
Here's what I've learned: The most powerful women I know aren't the ones posting about their packed calendars or bragging about their sleep-deprived hustles. They're the ones who've mastered the art of creating space for themselves. They understand that in a world that profits from our scattered attention, the ability to connect with yourself is the new superpower.
True wealth isn't about designer handbags or corner offices anymore. It's about having the freedom to:
Thinking uninterrupted, allowing space for creativity and intuition to flourish
Honoring your body's natural rhythms without others dictating your worth
Moving at your own pace, refusing to cave to others' urgency as your own
Cultivating mental clarity and flow instead of swilling in constant chaos
None of these can be bought – they must be claimed.
How am I protecting this space for myself? I regularly keep my phone on Do Not Disturb (my closest family knows how to break through). I schedule regular "thinking time" with just a notebook and pen. I say prioritize practices that enable me to tune in - on a walk, in a bath, or me time. And I protect my sleep.
The surprising truth? My work hasn't suffered. If anything, it's improved. Because when we create space to connect with ourselves, we make decisions aligned with our true nature and wisdom rather than external or autopilot pressures.
Remember: In a world that wants us to be everything to everyone, choosing to be present isn't selfish – it's revolutionary. You don't need permission to slow down.
You don't need to apologize for choosing focus over fragmentation. Because the real rebellion isn't in doing more – it's in daring to do less, with more presence.
When was the last time you gave yourself permission to just be? I'd love to hear your thoughts.
P.S. If haven't a clue how to start being present or re-connecting to you, I invite you to join Conscious Leadership Academy where in a small group setting we'll set 90 minutes aside for 10 weeks to connect to you, your values, and develop stronger sense of leadership. Book a call to chat about it here: 30 minute free consult.
This Week's Did You Know?
The most common month to receive a year-end bonus is actually February/March.
Combine that with income tax refunds and many Americans receive a lump sum early in the year. However, few actually plan for how to use it to build wealth so it's typically spent by April. On our podcast How Good Can It Get?, guest Lindsey Konchar, a financial therapist, and I talked about how to not mindlessly spend all of your bonus (+refund!) this year.
Rooting for you to keep more in your pocket - financial AND emotional wellbeing is key.
Links & Resources We Love Right Now
A listen: This TED on building trust has been a topic of several workshops this month because it's so good: How Leaders Win & Lose The Transformative Power of Trust.
A learn: Okay, sticking with the trust topic, can you trust someone you don't like? Adam Grant has a great guide for when you want to break a belief & unschool the idea that you have to like people in order to work with or trust them.
A shoutout: To the squeaky wheels - figuratively. Celebrating leaders who stick their neck out, even when it's hard, in favor of standing up for their values at work. It's not easy to feel isolated and alone in speaking out. The courage many are showing in volatile times is a beauty to witness.
Something I love: Mr. Rogers said, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping" as a way to cope when you feel sad, angry, or overwhelmed as a way to lean into joy and gratitude. Aligning my energy with the helpers - the ones who are standing up, breaking the status quo, and challenging outdated norms - has buoyed me when I feel like the deck is stacked against me.
