What Do You Do When the Season Is Slower Than You Expected?
Lately, I’ve been in a slower season—slower than I anticipated, and certainly slower than I’m used to.
I was talking with a friend recently who is also in a shift. Her days aren’t filled like they used to be. She’s finding the quiet unnerving. And I told her something I’m learning to tell myself too: maybe this slower season is an opportunity.
But I’ll be honest. It hasn’t been easy.
I’m someone who’s used to doing. My days used to be full—work, community service, planning and creating. I used to wish for a day off, to rest, to catch my breath. But now that I have it? The stillness? I found myself unsettled. I’d ask myself:
What am I supposed to do with my time now? Should I hustle harder? Should I explore new opportunities? Or should I just enjoy this while it lasts?
And it’s not that I don’t have things to do; just not at the pace I am used to, which sometimes makes me want to fill my days with activities.
It Wasn’t Just the Slowness—It Was the Guilt
What made it even harder was that during this season, my bills weren’t being paid on time. That part was real. So while the slower pace gave me the space I used to dream about, I couldn’t fully enjoy it.
I liked having time to breathe—but I also felt guilty for it.
I’d say to myself:
“I’m not where I want to be financially. I don’t have the luxury to slow down.”
And I don’t mean I wanted to grind. I’m not cut out for the nonstop hustle culture—I’ve made peace with that. But I didn’t want to feel like I was doing nothing either. It wasn’t a desire to be busy for the sake of it. I didn’t want to feel like I was falling behind.
The Conversations That Helped Me Shift
I remember a conversation I had with a fellow entrepreneur. He said,
“Carey, make the most of it—because it won’t always be like this.”
And another colleague said,
“Enjoy it. These windows don’t come often.”
Funny enough, I told my friend the same thing:
“Use this season to do the things you’ve always wanted to do but never had the time for.”
And it hit me—why wouldn’t I offer that same compassion and advice to myself?
Now, when I go on a morning walk and come home to sit on my front porch and journal before starting my day slowly, I realise:
This won’t always be my reality.
I probably won’t always have this level of flexibility and stillness.
So I’m learning to see this season as a gift. I’m not all the way there, but I’m shifting. I’m choosing to embrace it—not because I’ve arrived or because everything’s perfect—but because it is what it is, and it won’t always be like this.
So What Do You Do in a Slower Season?
Here are a few things I’m doing—and maybe they’ll help you too, if you find yourself in this place:
1. Let Slow Be Sacred, Not Shameful
Just because you’re not busy doesn’t mean you’re not becoming. The slower pace isn’t a sign that something’s wrong. It might just mean you’re being recalibrated. The roots grow in the dark before the bloom.
2. Gently Structure Your Days
I’ve found peace in creating a structure. I anchor my mornings with walks, porch time, and writing. Then I give myself one or two meaningful things to engage with that day.
3. Revisit the “Someday” List
We all have things we say we’d do if we had time. In this slower season, I’ve been exploring them: reading more, journaling deeply, reflecting on long-term dreams, and creating the things I've always wanted to pursue in a deeper, more meaningful way.
4. Name the Guilt. Then Let It Go.
Guilt will creep in and tell you that you’re wasting time. That you’re falling behind. I’m learning to recognise the feeling, acknowledge it, and choose to move forward without letting it dictate my days.
5. Trust That It’s a Season
That’s the thing about seasons—they change. This one will too. It won’t always be slow. But how I handle the quiet now will shape who I am in the busy later. That’s why I’m choosing presence.
You Are Not Behind.
If you’re in a slow season, I want you to know: you’re not alone. This isn’t a punishment. It might just be preparation.
ABOUT ME
I’m Carey-Lee Dixon, a creative at heart with a deep-rooted passion for helping others by sharing my story, my journey, knowledge and skills. I am a creative partner to women ready to show up boldly and build with intention. After years of side-hustling alongside my 9-to-5 job and honing my skills in branding and design, I stepped fully into my journey as a full-time entrepreneur, committed to helping women grow their presence with clarity, courage, and confidence.
Through shared experiences, I’m creating a space for others who seek more than just a good job with a big title that lacks heart or purpose. Instead, they want to lean into their purpose, do what they love, and make an impact by showing up boldly, courageously, and with intention. Whether you're starting fresh or scaling something meaningful, you may find something here that will shift your perspective and inspire you to take action, creating and living a life of intention and authenticity that feels like yours.
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