Welcome to becoming Aligned AF, a podcast about redefining success, finding your flow, and building a life that actually fits who you are.
We're ditching the "shoulds" and getting down to what feels unapologetically right. This journey is all about clarity, confidence, and alignment so deep it makes you wonder why you ever settled for anything less.
Consider this your permission slip to do things on your terms, intentionally, unapologetically, and with a little fire. Because when you're aligned AF, you're unstoppable.
So I've said it multiple times that one of the biggest things that helped me when I was dealing with my burnout was to slow down. And when I say that, people kind of go, "yes, but what does that mean?" So today I want to talk about what does slowing down actually look like ?
Welcome back to Becoming Aligned AF. The podcast where we explore what it means to slow down, tune into yourself and create a life that feels aligned. I'm your host Steph Woods. And if you're here, I'm guessing that you're feeling a little over it, over the hustle, over the constant noise and over the idea that you have to flip your life upside down to make anything better.
So let's take a breath together.
Because today we're talking about slowing down and what that actually looks like. Why it matters and what you can expect from this podcast the rest of the season, how we're exploring that.
Alright, let's start here. What does slowing down actually look like? It isn't about throwing your life into chaos and going off grid overnight. For me, slowing down has been about picking up small tools and practices over time. Those are the things that make me feel more spacious, more intentional, and more playful.
It's really been a whole process of learning and experimenting, and I've noticed some recurring themes. We'll be diving deeper into what each of those themes really look like in the Alignment in Practice episodes, along with tools and tips that I've learned that help along the way. But for now, I want to share with you some of the big ideas that have come up for me over the past years about slowing down, what it looks like every single day, and what you can start doing now.
First up, let yourself get bored. We live in this world where every second of downtime gets filled with scrolling, multitasking, doing all of the things, but boredom is where creativity and clarity actually live. It's where your brain starts to process, dream and wander in the best ways. So where can you give yourself space to be bored?
Stare out the window for a while. Sit with your coffee without reaching for your phone. Let your mind wander. It's uncomfortable at first, but trust me, there's magic in that space.
Next play, or as the theme, we could call it, following your joy.
When I started slowing down and started creating boundaries, I found myself with a lot of that boredom space and I didn't know what to do with it. So I decided to look back at what I loved to do when I was a kid.
And I really encourage you to do the same. Did you color for hours or climb trees or make up elaborate stories? That version of you didn't overthink what made you happy. They just did it.
For me, following my joy has meant singing and dancing in my kitchen while I'm cooking . Doodling, or bringing back acrylic painting into my life, or creativity in ways that I used to really love, like playing with clay. It's meant going on long walks and finding little ways to bring that playfulness back into my day, even if it's just for a few minutes, hanging out and playing with my dog.
This isn't about being productive. It's about remembering what lights you up and letting yourself have fun.
Slowing down isn't just about your mind. It's about your body too. When's the last time you asked yourself, what does my body need today? Maybe it's a nap. Maybe it's a green smoothie. Maybe it's pizza and Netflix. Whatever it is, give yourself permission to listen.
And let's talk about rest for a second. Rest isn't lazy. It's necessary. It's what recharges your energy so you can show up fully for your life. Slowing down is about letting go of the guilt and giving your body what it's asking for.
We'll get into human design a little bit later, but for me, one of the biggest things that I learned from human design is that my type, a projector, needs more rest. We're living in a world that's not friendly to those of us who really need more rest and we have to make the time for it.
Slowing down often also means setting boundaries.
Boundaries are key. It's saying no to the things that drain you so that you can say yes to what really, really matters. It's about protecting your time and your energy, even when that feels uncomfortable.
For me, boundaries have been one of the hardest lessons to learn, but also one of the most freeing. The truth is, when you honor your own limits, you're not just respecting yourself, you're teaching others to respect you too.
Finally, slowing down is about getting curious. Who are you when you're not stuck in survival mode? What is it that lights you up? What's holding you back? For me, this has meant exploring therapy to work through trauma and old patterns. And it's been about exploring things like human design to understand more about how I'm wired and things like Enneagram to really dig into my personality and what motivates me.
It's also been about doing a lot of breath work and a lot of meditation to really figure out how to listen to my body again. It's something that I've distanced myself over time from and learning how to do it again is really a challenge.
And it's not about finding answers per se, it's about following the breadcrumbs and learning more about yourself along the way. This work is powerful and it's ongoing.
And I've said it once, I've said it twice. I'll say it again a bazillion more times: the most important thing is that slowing down and becoming aligned doesn't mean that you have to change everything all at once. For me, this journey has been about picking up tools over the years, trying things out and keeping what works.
A big lesson is that you're not going to be able to do everything perfectly. Not even close. But I think of it that I have this toolbox now. And whenever life feels really overwhelming, I know I can reach for something that can help me reassess and realign.
And that's really what I want for you too.
Here's how we're going to explore these themes together.
First, we're going to have actionable episodes, which I'm calling Alignment in Practice. These episodes are going to go deeper into what slowing down and getting aligned really look like. I'll share tools, tips, and stories from my own life to show you how I've brought these ideas into practice, and it's not a perfect formula.
It's about building a toolbox that you can reach for when you need it. It's about knowing yourself enough to be aware when you need a tool and then being able to reach for it and use it to help you.
And second, we're going to have conversations with some of my favorite people, therapists, coaches, guides, and everyday humans who inspire me. I'm going to call these soul sessions. These conversations are going to be about connections, growth, and the magic of learning from others.
Whenever I have someone that comes to me and says, "There's already someone else that teaches what I want to teach. Why should I do it too?" My answer is always that people learn differently from different people. And someone out there is going to need to hear what you're going to say in the way that you're going to say it. So they're going to connect with you differently than they're connecting with someone else.
That's why you'll hear in these soul sessions, we talk about these same themes, but I'm hoping that I can help you find your people that say things in a way that you understand. So I'm going to be sharing some of the most brilliant people I know.
Again, this podcast isn't about giving you a one size fits all roadmap. It's about helping you find your own way, at your own pace, towards a life that feels aligned, spacious, and joyful. So whether you're here for the actionable tips, soulful conversations, or just a moment to breathe, I'm so glad you're here.
Until next time, keep slowing down, stay curious, and remember, your pace is perfect for you.
I am so honored to have had you with me today on our journey to Becoming Aligned AF. I hope that this episode sparked some clarity, made you think, or even inspired a small shift towards the life that actually fits you. Alignment isn't a one time destination. It's a practice: a series of small, intentional moves that get you closer to your own version of success.
If you're loving these conversations, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. And if today's topic spoke to you, share it with a friend who could use a little nudge towards alignment too.
Alright, that's it for me. Catch you next time on Becoming Aligned AF. Until then, keep leaning into what lights you up.
