Why Slowing Down Feels So Hard (and why you need to do it anyway!)

In this heartfelt winddown of the Free to Be Mindful Podcast, Vanessa invites us to explore the very thing so many of us struggle with: rest. Through personal stories, cultural reflections, and gentle guidance, she helps us unpack why slowing down feels uncomfortable — and how to finally find peace in the pause.

Drawing from her upbringing in a traditional Dominican household, Vanessa shares how hustle culture, perfectionism, and even trauma can shape our relationship with rest. She walks us through how to rebuild safety in stillness by tending to the mind, listening to the body, and reconnecting with the soul.

Whether you're heading into summer overwhelmed or eager to reset, this episode offers a loving reminder: you don’t have to earn your rest. You are worthy of peace, presence, and joy — just as you are.

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

• How cultural and emotional conditioning shapes our discomfort with rest
• The hidden fears behind constant motion
• Ways to create mental white space and emotional clarity
• Practices to listen to your body and release stored tension
• Small ways to nourish your soul and reconnect with your true self
• An invitation to pause as we head into summer
• A gentle ad for Amiga Moms™ Coaching and how to start your own journey

TUNE IN TO LEARN

• Why hustle doesn’t always mean productivity
• How perfectionism and trauma impact your ability to slow down
• What brain dumps, grounding, and soul-play can do for your nervous system
• Practical tools to rest your mind, body, and soul — no guilt necessary
• How to start reconnecting with the version of you who felt like herself

TAKEAWAY MESSAGE
You’re not falling behind — you’re just overdue for rest. As the school year winds down and the podcast pauses for summer, let this episode remind you to slow down with intention. Because you don’t have to earn your rest — you just have to receive it.

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DISCLAIMER:
Free to Be Mindful Podcast episodes are for educational purposes only and should not be considered as or substituted for therapy or professional help from a licensed clinician.