Today I was having an internal struggle about reaching out to a romantic interest. Further, I’d made plans with friends but some unexpected visitors showed up. It was one of those kind of days.

Annoyed, I decided to turn to my Goddess Cards (which are incredibly helpful for my indecisive and innately anxious character). My intuition told me that I only needed to pull one (a straight to the point answer, I hoped). I laughed out loud when I read the card. In my hand was the Goddess Sige card which represents “Quiet Time.” How incredibly fitting, right?

The message on the card went further to say “take some quiet time alone to rest, meditate, and contemplate.” Clearly, the universe knew the type of day I was having. What I really needed was to slow down, say no to other people's demands on my time, say yes to myself, and go inward.

So, that’s what I did.

Slowing down and finding balance isn’t easy. Take it from someone who is still planning her dinner between yoga poses even after being very active in the practice for over six years. I might be able to balance in a forearm stand but I fail to balance my own responsibilities.

My mind moves a mile a minute. I have high expectations. I juggle responsibilities and then I kick myself when things don’t go as planned, even events outside of my control. I am a go-getter by nature, but sometimes I go too fast and fall on my face.

Does this sound like you too?

Are you a goal-driven dreamer and overachiever? Then listen up, because this is one of those moments when I’m forcing myself to take my own advice.

By slowing down and focusing, you become better equipped to make the right decisions and are more likely to appreciate the outcome of those decisions.

It’s important you take time to listen to yourself. What are your wants? What are your needs? What do you truly desire in the present?

So, here I am taking my own advice. I’m taking some quiet time to focus, listen to what my body is telling me, be mindful, appreciate the moment, and focus on the now.

It seems contradictory to slow down when you’re a go-getter. But, life change so quickly that quiet time alone to rest, meditate, and contemplate is exactly what’s needed.

How do you remind yourself to slow down? What are some of the practices that help you find balance? Leave a comment below!