The Radical Act of Slowing Down: Listening to Body Wisdom in a Chaotic World

As a psychologist, I often find myself advising others to slow down and practice self-care. Yet, I too can fall victim to the relentless pace of modern life. This spring, traditionally a time of renewed energy and activity, I've been experiencing a profound need to slow down. It's been a powerful reminder of the importance of pausing and checking in with ourselves - something we all too often forget.

In our capitalist culture, the pressure to constantly produce and achieve is ever-present. This is especially true for women, who are conditioned from birth to nurture, give, and "do" as a measure of their worth. Even though I intellectually reject this notion, I can feel this conditioning deep in my bones, inherited from generations of women who managed to "get things done" while raising families.

The key, I've discovered, lies in listening to our bodies. Our bodies hold an innate wisdom that, if we learn to tune in, can guide us towards what we truly need. When I truly listen to my body, it speaks volumes. It tells me when to rest, when to move, when to connect with others, and when to retreat inward. It's when I get caught up in the mental whirlwind of thoughts and tasks, or anything that pulls me away from being present, that I lose touch with this vital source of guidance.

Recently, I experienced this firsthand. I had intended to take a vacation at the beginning of the month, but amid a busy schedule of work and social commitments, I neglected to plan it. As the days passed, I found myself torn between feeling tired and wanting to participate in everything. My body was sending signals - fatigue, tension, a sense of overwhelm - but I wasn't listening closely enough.

Then, unexpectedly, I contracted COVID-19. It sucked - there's no sugarcoating that. But it also provided an enforced period of rest. Friends stepped in to help, bringing food and supplements, which helped me feel supported and cared for. This pause allowed me to focus entirely on nourishing and caring for myself too - treating my body with the same tenderness and attention I would give to a sick child or the vulnerable, split off parts of myself.

During this time of enforced rest, I reconnected with my body's wisdom. I paid attention to its subtle cues, honoring its need for rest, nourishment, and gentle movement. This deep listening extended to my emotional needs as well, allowing me to tend to my inner wounded child - that vulnerable part of ourselves that often gets overlooked in the hustle of adult life.

In these moments of stillness, I also found space to process the overwhelming realities of our world. From the escalating political divisions and systemic inequalities fracturing our nation, to our government's ongoing support of devastating conflicts and humanitarian crises overseas, the weight of these atrocities can feel paralyzing. It's easy to feel helpless and burnt out in the face of such widespread suffering. Yet, I'm reminded time again that by honoring our need to slow down and recharge, we're better equipped to engage meaningfully with these critical issues.

This experience reinforced a crucial lesson: slowing down and listening to our bodies isn't just beneficial; in today's world, it's a radical act of self-care and a necessary step for sustainable activism. It challenges the societal norms that equate constant activity with productivity and worth. 

By consciously choosing to slow down and tune into our body's wisdom, we resist these pressures and create space for genuine self-connection and healing. This process allows us to reconnect with our authentic self - that core essence of who we truly are, unencumbered by societal expectations or learned behaviors.

From this place of authenticity, we can engage more meaningfully with the world around us, addressing personal and societal challenges with a renewed sense of wholeness, clarity, compassion and purpose