Living Life in the Slow Lane (or trying to!)

How to Move Through September Sustainably

This past summer didn’t go at all the way I expected. I thought I’d have a smooth, productive few months to dive into my business and myself more — maybe a little ambitious, but manageable. And then life happened of course!

I became a cat mom not just to one cat but 7 which completely knocked me off my “productive” path. Between late-night kitten antics, endless cleaning, and a sudden need to sit quietly and watch these tiny creatures explore their world, my carefully planned routines evaporated. I didn’t get everything done. I didn’t always eat right. I missed workouts. My garden is barely a thing. My meditation practice? Forget it. And yet… somehow, I felt more present than I had in months.

The same happened with my kids. Summer road trips, sailing trips, long days outside — they weren’t always smooth. There were moments of frustration, arguments, and exhaustion. But there were also moments so full of connection and laughter that they rewrote the story of my summer.

Here’s the thing about slowing down: it’s messy. Life throws you off your rituals constantly. Baths get skipped. Yoga classes are missed. Meditation sessions end after three minutes because your cat has pulled the curtains down. And that’s okay. Slowing down isn’t a perfect practice — it’s a practice of showing up again, over and over, even when you feel like you’ve failed.

Here are some ways I’ve learned to keep coming back, even when things get messy:

🕊️ Start small, even if imperfect – Missed your morning meditation? Do three minutes before bed. Skipped your bath yesterday? Light a candle tonight and let it be your five-minute reset.

🌿 Anchor in something real – I try to notice little cues in life: the sun warming my skin, the sound of my kids’ laughter, the way my cat curls up beside me. These moments remind me to slow down without requiring perfection.

💬 Give yourself permission to fail – Routines crumble, plans get derailed, and that’s life. Treat each “failure” as a chance to come back, not a reason to quit.

✨ Celebrate the small wins – Even if it’s just sitting on the porch with tea for five minutes, or stepping onto the yoga mat for one pose — acknowledge it, because these tiny moments accumulate.

September is a gentle reminder that we don’t have to sprint to “reset” ourselves or live perfectly sustainable. It’s about showing up for ourselves again and again, through the messy, unpredictable reality of life. Because it’s not the perfect bath or the perfect yoga session that changes anything — it’s the act of returning, over and over, with intention and presence.

So, this month, I’m embracing the slow lane — and the chaos that comes with it. Some days will feel effortless, some days won’t. But every day is an opportunity to come back, even if it’s just for a minute