Why Pausing is the Most Courageous Step Forward

Is hard!

As leaders, creatives, entrepreneurs, or change-makers, society tells us that progress comes from pushing harder, moving faster, and always doing more. So we push and push, go and go—until finally, life feels overwhelming. And yet, the temptation is always to add one more strategy, credential, or item to our already overflowing lists.

My mind flashes to a scene in Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life: the character Mr. Creosote in a restaurant, a metaphor for excess and gluttony. Even when stuffed, he takes one more bite—and explodes.

Sometimes we do the same, don’t we? We push ourselves to the point of nearly exploding, reaching overwhelm so deep that we can’t continue.

Have you ever experienced this?

I have.

For years, I believed slowing down meant falling behind. I thought if I just kept striving—working longer hours, earning another degree, proving myself one more way, one more time—then I’d finally feel secure and successful. Instead, I found myself exhausted, disconnected, and questioning whether all that effort was leading me anywhere meaningful.

But what if the bravest, most effective step forward isn’t doing more—what if it’s pausing?

The truth is, pausing isn’t weakness. It’s strength. Pausing gives us space to breathe, to listen, and to remember who we are beneath the noise. Like a stone in the middle of a rushing stream, the pause grounds us so we can find clarity and direction again.

On a trip to New York City in the summer of 2016, my body finally told me to stop. I found myself at the bottom of a hill in Central Park, unable to walk. I had to pause—listen—and take one intentional step at a time just to make it out of the park and finish my vacation.

That experience taught me, and continues to teach me, that when we dare to pause, three powerful things happen:

• We gain clarity about what truly matters in life.
• We discover the courage to say yes—or no—with intention.
• We reconnect with our own presence, creating space for meaningful connection with ourselves and others.

The pause doesn’t mean giving up on our goals or dreams. It means choosing them from a place of alignment instead of fear or exhaustion.

Try this 💡 Reflection Prompt: Take a moment today to ask yourself: Where in my life do I need to pause, breathe, and listen before moving forward?

Since that summer in 2016, I’ve made pausing a practice—and I’ve helped others find their own pause as well.

In fact, this is the heart of the Rooted in You Circle. It’s a space to pause, reconnect, and realign with your voice, vision, and purpose—so you can step forward with clarity, courage, and confidence.

🍂 Our fall Circle begins September 24, and you’re warmly invited to join a small group of women who are ready to find the pause together. Follow the link below to see more about it

🌿 Rooted in You Circle

And if you’re a man seeking this kind of work, my husband Dr. Dan Thomsen offers a companion path.

Click here for information on Mindful Masculinity.

Let us help you come home to being Rooted in You.

✨ Join me next week on my podcast and blog as we explore - Rooted Voices: Courage to Begin Again.