I’ve noticed how often people, myself included, feel uneasy when things slow down. We start to question ourselves or fill time with tasks that don’t really need doing, just to prove we’re still in motion. Sometimes it’s genuine energy, but often it’s fear. Fear of falling behind. Fear of being seen as unproductive. Fear that stillness means something has gone wrong.

But not every season is designed for action. Some are meant for composting, sitting with what’s unresolved, letting things decompose a little, and trusting that clarity will come. It doesn’t always look impressive. There’s often no output. But something is happening beneath the surface.

Rest isn’t a prize at the end of productivity. It’s part of the cycle.

And yet, the pressure to keep moving can be relentless—especially if you’re going through change without much support. When there’s no team to catch you, or no structure to hold you, momentum becomes the thing you cling to. Just keep moving. Just stay visible.

But maybe there’s a better question: What are you making space for if you stop?

• Shame about what came before.

• Regret.

• Or the pressure to perform a neat, curated transformation.

You don’t need to discard everything you were in order to become who you are becoming.

In fact, the most grounded transitions honour continuity. They let us notice what’s still true, still useful, still us…….even after change.

A few gentle ways to push back against the momentum myth:

The Non-Productive Hour

Set aside one hour this week where there’s no expected outcome. Walk, stare out the window, lie on the floor—whatever feels right. Let it be unstructured and see what you notice when there’s no goal to chase.

Call it Compost, Not a Plateau

You’re not stuck. You’re composting. That doesn’t mean doing nothing, it means allowing old stories, habits, and expectations to break down so something more grounded can take shape. It’s messy, and it rarely looks like growth. But it is.

Internal vs External Motion

Try journaling with two questions:
“Where am I staying busy just to look like I’m moving?”
and
“What’s shifting quietly within me, even if it’s not visible yet?”

Reverse To-Do List

Instead of tracking what you’ve done, list what softened, what you let go of, or what you gave yourself permission not to chase. Growth isn’t always measured in tasks.

Behavioural psychology offers a few reasons why this feels so hard.

1. One is action bias: the tendency to favour doing something over doing nothing, even when that “something” might not be helpful. In uncertain moments, action gives us a sense of control, even if it’s just performative.

2. Then there’s effort justification, the idea that we only value outcomes we’ve worked hard for. It’s the same logic that makes rest feel unearned or delegating feel like cheating. We’ve been taught that if we didn’t suffer for it, it doesn’t count.

But momentum isn’t always a sign of alignment. Sometimes it’s a distraction.

That’s why slowing down can be so uncomfortable. It confronts us with the things we’ve been avoiding. And it also asks us to trust that value doesn’t always come from doing, it can come from choosing what not to do.

This includes accepting support.

You don’t need to be part of a team to share the weight. You don’t need a leadership role to delegate. There are people, especially Virtual Assistants and freelancers, who help others protect their time and energy so they can focus on what actually matters. Choosing that kind of support isn’t a sign you’ve failed. It’s a step toward working sustainably.

Stillness isn’t the opposite of progress. It’s what gives progress shape.

If you’ve been holding yourself to the standard of constant movement, I hope this gives you permission to pause.

• You don’t need to be exhausted to justify rest.

• You don’t have to be broken to slow down.

• You can simply choose to stop, because something quieter is asking for your attention.

Stillness isn’t a sign you’re falling behind. It’s a sign you’re making space to hear what comes next.

What’s On

Looking for a moment to connect, reflect, or just step outside your own head for a while?

Here’s what’s on offer right now:

☕ The Beyond Café

A relaxed, drop-in space to think out loud with thoughtful humans. No agenda, just presence. Bring a coffee and come as you are.

🎉 Beyond the Buzzer (Paused now until after the summer)

A fast-paced quiz session hosted by Khidi. Expect energy, humour, and a few surprising insights, it’s connection through play, not pressure.

You can see everything that’s coming up and book your place here.

Until next time

You are allowed to be still.
That’s not avoidance. That’s part of the work.

Until then, I’m glad you’re here.

Daniel