Why I'm Slowing Down To Speed Up

BY JEN WIDERSTROM

Lately I feel like I’ve just had nothing to say. I’ve been struggling for inspiration recently, and I've been pushing myself to create content and connection, but my well has just run dry. Whether you’re running a content platform like me, a business, or a home… you have to listen to the ebbs and flows of your creative energy.

This is happening in all areas of my life. In writing, (I was a week behind in getting my editor these blogs) but also in my workouts. I went to the gym recently and started with a set of sit-ups and instead just laid on the ground. I just didn’t want to… do anything. Normally, this would have set off a cycle of stress and worry, but I tried something new. I let myself off the hook. And told myself “Jenny, it’s okay not to move. It's okay not to create, it's okay not to have to be this leader, this force, and a powerhouse ALL THE TIME.” I am all of those things, but I'm also quiet. And I'm an introvert, and I’m relatively shy. But I put myself in perpetual wonder woman mode, and I don’t honor the other, quieter, more introspective side of myself.

Every sun must have a moon, and I'm not giving my moon phase enough time.

The wheels were wobbling and falling off, and I found myself in a bit of a crisis. That showed up in the form of panic attacks, pain in my body, and difficult, turbulent emotions of self doubt. I realized I had been operating from a place of fear and anxiety, and pushing myself too hard to be the super hero. I knew I had to offload the mental pressure.

I started by listening to the FÖRENA community. Other people were coming to me with the same feelings and I thought, oh gosh…me too. I realized that by giving the members of our community permission to slow down and skip a few days of workouts, and to do their steps but not track them, that I needed to give myself this permission too.

This is my takeaway from this month, and my inspiration well is slowly refilling. I wake with my alarm, not from my heart pounding and disjointed nightmares at 4 am. I'm letting instincts and knowledge guide my decisions, not fear and anxiety. Yes, I'm always your leader, but an important part of that is sharing that there is strength in slowing down, and this is me giving you permission to do just that.

–Jen Widerstrom, Founder

P.S. Remember that no matter what you're going through right now, you don't have to do it alone! There are others like you in our community, where we interact on a daily basis, fight our demons, share our victories, and watch over each other as friends and accountability partners.

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