How to Embrace a Sacred Pause

As autumn deepens and the days shorten, many may feel a familiar pull inward; toward slowness, rest, and reflection.

Maybe you're sensing it too.

Notably toward the end of 2023, I fully surrendered to what I now call a sacred pause, a deeply intentional season of rest and recalibration. It was my personal response to burnout, hustle culture, and an inner voice that had been whispering for far too long:

This pace isn’t sustainable.

What started as a necessary break became a total realignment of how I live, work, and lead.

But here’s what I didn’t expect:

Even after a season of slow living and nervous system healing…

I needed to return to it — again.

Because the cycles of rest and renewal aren’t one-time events.

They're lifelong rhythms.

And in this blog post, I want to share how you can begin weaving slowness, sacred rituals, and intentional living into this new season — whether you’re new to this or circling back once again.

One of the biggest myths in wellness culture is that we “fix” burnout once and for all.

That a weekend retreat or one quiet month will restore us completely.

But true burnout recovery, especially for women, creatives, neurodivergent folks, and entrepreneurs, happens over time and through exploration. Often in cycles.

That’s why seasonal living is such a powerful guide.

The earth doesn’t bloom endlessly.

Why should we?

A pause isn’t permanent.

I told my friend J once when she decided to quit a decade plus long job and was riddled with guilt and discomfort, for choosing into unemployment - that she can simply rename this chapter her sabbatical.

Words carry lots o meaning.

In fact, the more living in alignment with the natural rhythms of the seasons, the more we get to return to intentional rest not as an emergency, but as a sacred practice.

These practices aren’t just about self-care, they’re about reclaiming your energy, your clarity, and your sovereignty.

1. Start With Micro Moments of Slow Living

If rest feels impossible in your schedule right now, start small and start today.

Try:

• Making a cup of tea without multitasking

• 3 rounds of breathing deeply before you open your inbox

• Taking a short walk without headphones

• Watching the sunset for 5 minutes

• Putting your hand on your heart and asking, “What do I need today?”

These simple acts are powerful ways to begin nervous system regulation and presence.

Slow living rituals aren’t about time, they’re about intention.

2. Create Personalized Seasonal Rituals

Ritual grounds your energy, especially during periods of transition.

Here are a few seasonal self-care rituals you can try:

• 🍁 Collect leaves, stones, or natural items for a seasonal altar

• 📖 Journal on what’s falling away and what you’re calling in

• 🕯️ Light a candle each morning and give yourself a few moments to actually breathe it in

• 🧑🏽‍🍳 Cook a nourishing batch of something weekly like bone broth, sourdough or sauerkraut

These rituals can support you to reconnect with your inner wisdom and cultivate a rhythm that supports your current season of life.

3. Shift From Hustle to Intentional Living

Ask yourself:

What am I doing out of habit or obligation, instead of from a full-body yes?

This question can change lives!

To begin transitioning from hustle culture to slow business or life:

• Replace rigid self-deadlines with rhythmic scheduling [ie. keeping the infradian rhythm in mind]

• Block off “quiet days” or “no call” windows weekly

• Prioritize projects that align with your values, not just your calendar

• Say thanks, but no more often

Intentional living means choosing your pace, your priorities, and your presence.

4. Listen to Your Body’s Seasonal Wisdom

Your body is your greatest guide.

Track how you feel physically and emotionally as the season shifts.

Are you craving more rest? Less stimulation? Deeper connection?

This is especially important for:

• Women who cycle hormonally [yes, even if not menstruating]

• Neurodivergent or highly sensitive individuals

• Parents, caregivers, and those in service roles

• Anyone recovering from chronic hustle or trauma

Nervous system healing and seasonal alignment go hand-in-hand.

Let your body tell you what’s needed, and HEED it when it does.

5. Embrace the Spiral — Not the Straight Line

Personal growth isn’t linear — it’s cyclical.

You may find yourself re-learning the same lesson you thought you’d already mastered. That doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It means you’re deepening.

The sacred pause isn’t about quitting. It’s about honoring the part of you that’s evolving… again.

You’re not starting over.

You’re just coming back home, at a deeper level this time.

he world won’t stop if you choose to pause.

So you may as well choose to pause anyway.

Whether you’re a coach, a creator, a healer, or a human just trying to stay sane - know this:

Rest is not weakness.

Stillness is not stagnation.

Slowness is resilience.

You are allowed to move with the seasons.

You are allowed to feel it all, and do less because of it.

You are allowed to begin again.