Permission To Slow Down

It's June — and for so many of us, that means the pace finally starts to shift. But what happens when slowing down feels uncomfortable? When stillness makes your nervous system anxious instead of at ease? In this episode, Jessica and Kelly kick off June with an honest conversation about what it really looks like to choose rest before you're forced into it. They talk about the difference between collapsing from exhaustion and intentionally creating space — and why that distinction changes everything. This is your permission slip to actually be in your life instead of just running it. What You'll Hear in This Episode Why coming out of a full season can feel uncomfortable, even when you're relieved The difference between rest as collapse vs. rest as a conscious choice Dr. Sandra Dalton-Smith's seven types of rest — and why sleep alone isn't enough Why summer's unstructured time can actually feel harder than the busy school year How presence over performance is a skill worth rebuilding Real Over Perfect moments from both of us on slowing down in real life How to protect small, intentional moments without adding them to your to-do list Why free time feeling wrong is actually worth sitting with Brighter Moves This Week Kelly's Brighter Move: Look at one thing on your June calendar that's optional — something you may be doing out of habit or obligation. You don't have to cancel it. Just sit with it. Ask yourself: is this a yes, or a slow no? Jessica's Brighter Move: Find one place this week where you can choose to slow down before you're forced to. One morning, one meal, one moment — let it actually land. Then notice how it feels to choose it. Free Download Grab our free Choose Your Own Adventure Summer Planning Template — big anchors, small rituals, and a joy inventory all in one doc. Sign up for the newsletter at chasingbrighter.com to get yours. Resources Mentioned Like this episode? You might like: Episode 15: The Exhaustion Sleep Can't Fix Dr. Sandra Dalton-Smith — Seven Types of Rest (linked episode in show notes) Choose Your Own Adventure Summer Planning Template — free at chasingbrighter.com/newsletter Connect With Us Blog & Newsletter: chasingbrighter.com Instagram: @chasingbrighter Newsletter Sign-Up: chasingbrighter.com/newsletter ----more---- permission to slow down, intentional living, summer wellness, rest and burnout recovery, joy as a choice, seven types of rest, Sandra Dalton-Smith, women and burnout, nervous system regulation, real over perfect, choosing rest, slow living, presence over productivity, summer planning, mindfulness for women, chasing brighter podcast, slowing down without guilt, summer intentions, micro joys, personal development for women