You know those moments when you feel like you’re rushing, all day, every day. And you can’t really remember a time when you weren’t?
It might be so constant that busyness has become a part of your identity. You’re that person, who is always in the middle of something, on your way somewhere, rushing between things.
If this is you: I see you, I hear you. That was me in a nutshell too. Even now, I still catch myself slipping back into that rhythm.
It’s pretty hard to spot this when you’re in the middle of this pattern, it’s like you’re running on autopilot at 1.5x speed.
You feel productive, but it gets tiring after a while.
A lot of people talk about the exhaustion that comes from doing too much. Your days are full, your to-do list keeps everyone else happy, but none of it is filling your cup.
Noticing that is the first step. It’s the moment where you start recognising patterns of over-responsibility or people-pleasing, and that’s when boundary work becomes so important. Saying no to the things that drain you, and yes to the things that light you up.
This is the kind of work I often do with my clients.
But there are two sides of this coin, and no one really talks about the other side:
What about when you love what you’re doing?
When you’re busy, but everything on your plate feels meaningful? Do the same rules apply?
This is where it can get tricky, and it’s something I’m sitting with right now…
Because even when you’re no longer driven by external validation, you can still find yourself moving at that fast pace, trying to fit everything in.
You’ve seen how much you can achieve in a week, so why not keep up that momentum, right? And it is different, because the things you’re doing are filling your cup with creative work you enjoy.
You see the kind of rationale that goes on in my head?
Because there’s still a limit and living this way is still out of balance.
This is where the next layer of growth lives. It’s not just about burnout anymore, it’s about sustainability. It’s asking, what pace actually serves me now?
Sometimes we think that moving faster gets us there sooner, but what if the real progress comes from creating enough space to think clearly, notice your inspiration, and enjoy the process along the way?
That’s what I explore in this week’s episode of Unwind Your Mind:
🎧 The Pace Problem: Redefining Progress and Sustainable Success.
We’ll talk about why speed isn’t always the same as progress, what sustainable productivity really looks like, and how to find a rhythm that supports both your ambition and your wellbeing.
You can listen to the episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
As you move through this week, take a moment to reflect:
What pace matches the lifestyle you actually want?
Because when you honour your natural rhythm, you don’t lose progress, you build it in a way that lasts.
– Nat
PS If this episode resonates, you might also enjoy last week’s episode, The Habit of Hard Work: Letting Go of Busyness and Redefining Progress. It’s the first in this mini-series and gives helpful context for today’s conversation.
PPS If you’re ready to find your sustainable pace and want support redefining what success looks like for you, book a complimentary clarity call with me here: Book your call and we’ll unpack it together.
