Slow Down or Burn Out: Productivity As A Trauma Response

Slowing down sounds simple—until your nervous system refuses to cooperate. In this episode, we explore why stillness feels unsafe, how “go mode” becomes an identity, and what actually helps us unwind without forcing rest. Slowing down isn’t about doing less—it’s about changing how we are while we do. In this deeply honest conversation, we unpack why rest can feel uncomfortable, even threatening, especially for high-performing women and first responders who’ve been wired for survival, responsibility, and constant motion. We talk about nervous system regulation, childhood conditioning, perfectionism, trauma responses, and the quiet fear that if we stop, we’ll fall behind—or fall apart. From scheduling stillness and creating margin, to gardening, painting, yoga, and learning to sit down for a meal without rushing, this episode explores practical entry points into slowing down before burnout, illness, or the universe forces the lesson. This isn’t about flipping the switch from “on” to “off.” It’s about discovering the dimmer—learning presence, cultivating safety in the body, and reclaiming rest as a birthright rather than a reward. If you struggle with sleep, stillness, or the guilt that comes with resting, this episode is an invitation to get curious and begin again.