Slow success for me means trusting my intuition to build a business rooted in what lights me up AND is of value to others, rather than just what I think will make the most money
I love this so much Nyamwathi! That balance of doing what lights you up and serves others is the heart of truly sustainable success. Rooting your business in intuition and alignment creates something so much more meaningful than just chasing profit. Thank you for sharing this ❤️
I needed to hear this 🙌 I’m at a stage where I know this is true for me yet not sure how to create a sustainable income doing work I enjoy, whilst still allowing time and space to honour my needs and wellbeing. Living in survival mode due to worry about finances is also not sustainable . Any thoughts?
I’m so glad this landed with you Maya 🙏🏼 What you’re describing is so real, that tension between wanting to honour your energy and needing financial stability can feel incredibly heavy. You’re not alone in this! What’s helped me (and many others I’ve worked with) is creating a bridge - finding a more flexible or lower-energy source of income that supports your needs while you slowly build something more aligned. It’s not an all-or-nothing leap, but a gradual transition. You absolutely can create a life that supports both your wellbeing and your income, it just takes intention, creativity, and time. Sending you lots of encouragement as you navigate it ❤️
Yes to all of this! It’s so comforting seeing other’s comments too and knowing there’s a community of us out there yearning for a truer way of living. Thankful to not feel alone.
Yes, exactly! It’s so comforting to realise we’re not the only ones craving something deeper and more aligned. I’m so grateful for this growing community too, we really aren’t alone in this. Thank you for being here and sharing your heart Anna ❤️
This means the world to me, thank you Matej 🙏🏼 I’m so glad it resonated and offered that feeling of home. That’s exactly what I hope to create with this work.
Oh Rachel! I hit the wall (again) this week and so needed to read and absorb your incredibly wise words! You are amazing! Total bullseye. Printing off your email so I can see it EVERY day. So grateful! It makes so much sense now why I feel so exhausted.
Ahh this means the world to me, thank you 🙏🏼 I’m so sorry you hit the wall this week, but I’m incredibly honoured that my words could meet you in that moment. You are not alone in this exhaustion, and I’m so glad it helped things make a little more sense. Sending you so much love and strength as you rest and gently find your way forward. So grateful to be walking this path alongside you ❤️
I really relate to so much of what you’ve written here. Since my mum’s passing, a lot has shifted for me too — especially in how I approach work. I’ve been intentionally cultivating more spaciousness in my life for over a year now, and I’m truly loving it. It’s brought such a different, deeper quality to how I live day to day.
Thank you so much for sharing this Miannah 🙏🏼 Grief has a way of reorienting us to what truly matters doesn't it? I love that you’ve been cultivating more spaciousness and that it’s brought a deeper quality to your days. Sending love as you continue to navigate this gentler, more aligned path ❤️
I deeply resonate and agree with this. I like this image of building my business like a home, it reminds me to honor my sensitivity in my self-imposed pace (because yes we tend to reproduce the work environment that’s considered the norm even when we’re our own boss).
I’m so glad this resonated Jessica 🙏🏼 That image of building your business like a home has been such a helpful anchor for me too - it really invites a gentler, more intentional pace. And yes, it’s so true how easy it is to recreate hustle-culture norms, even when we’re the ones in charge. Honoring your sensitivity as you build is such powerful, transformative work. You’re doing it beautifully ✨
This one spoke to my soul. I’m halfway there. I just need to figure out what the next, aligned chapter looks like. But not yet, for now I’m wintering! Loved this 💛
There’s so much wisdom in allowing yourself to pause and “winter” before rushing into the next thing. Trust that the clarity will come in its own time. I’m so glad this spoke to you. Sending love as you gently prepare for whatever’s next Sinéad 🌿✨
I relate to this so much...I think where I struggle in feeling blocked or confused (probably limiting belief) about the 'how' is what kinds of jobs or careers can support this need while still being able to live abundantly? Would love to hear any insights or experience from you and others on this! <3
I relate to this so much Gabrielle, and you’re definitely not alone in feeling that tension between wanting to live slowly and sustainably, while still wondering how to support that in a world that often feels like it demands the opposite ❤️ I actually wrote a recent post on money, meaning, and success that explores this exact question - especially around redefining enoughness. Sometimes it’s not just about the career itself, but how we’re measuring what’s “enough” to feel abundant and well-resourced. Would love to hear your thoughts if you give it a read! ☺️ https://rachelgadiel.substack.com/p/quiet-success
When I don’t follow a to-do list I make my best work! To-do lists can be beneficial to those that need them to stay on track but for me as not only an HSP but someone with ADHD as well it’s an overwhelming clusterfuck that puts a damper my productivity with time restrictions to get certain things done. I use the energy that have to hyper focus on tasks that need the most attention and so far it’s working well for me; this doing more with less method 👌
Yesss ❤️ I love how clearly you’ve tuned into your way of working Mari! To-do lists can be helpful for some, but for HSPs and ADHDers, they can definitely turn into pressure-packed chaos 😅 I’m all for the “do more with less” method - following your energy and focusing where it naturally flows is such a powerful and sustainable approach. So glad it’s working for you! 👏🏼
This is genius! It's funny, I know most of this info and yet... It still takes reminders (from me to me) that "hustle culture" ain't for everyone - in fact I'd argue that most people's nervous systems do not align with that type of lifestyle. Of course, HSPs must adhere to our own path as you say and our very particular way of doing things if we are to be healthy, happy, successful, and focused on developing and sharing our gifts. 🙌
Yes yes yes 🙌🏼 Even when we know this, it’s amazing how easily the hustle messaging can sneak back in. You’re so right Lisa, most nervous systems aren’t built for that pace, and for HSPs especially, it’s essential we honour our own rhythm. That’s how we create not just success, but sustainable, soul-aligned success. Thank you for this beautiful reminder ❤️
Slow success for me means trusting my intuition to build a business rooted in what lights me up AND is of value to others, rather than just what I think will make the most money
I love this so much Nyamwathi! That balance of doing what lights you up and serves others is the heart of truly sustainable success. Rooting your business in intuition and alignment creates something so much more meaningful than just chasing profit. Thank you for sharing this ❤️
I needed to hear this 🙌 I’m at a stage where I know this is true for me yet not sure how to create a sustainable income doing work I enjoy, whilst still allowing time and space to honour my needs and wellbeing. Living in survival mode due to worry about finances is also not sustainable . Any thoughts?
I’m so glad this landed with you Maya 🙏🏼 What you’re describing is so real, that tension between wanting to honour your energy and needing financial stability can feel incredibly heavy. You’re not alone in this! What’s helped me (and many others I’ve worked with) is creating a bridge - finding a more flexible or lower-energy source of income that supports your needs while you slowly build something more aligned. It’s not an all-or-nothing leap, but a gradual transition. You absolutely can create a life that supports both your wellbeing and your income, it just takes intention, creativity, and time. Sending you lots of encouragement as you navigate it ❤️
Thanks Rachel! This makes sense, I think it’s also a matter of believing it’s possible. So it helps seeing many others who’ve made it happen 😊
This speaks to me a lot. Thank you for putting it into words and giving people like me permission to slow down.
It’s so hard to give it to ourselves!!
I’m so glad it spoke to you Brittany ❤️ Slowing down is powerful, and you deserve to move at your own pace 🌿
Yes to all of this! It’s so comforting seeing other’s comments too and knowing there’s a community of us out there yearning for a truer way of living. Thankful to not feel alone.
Yes, exactly! It’s so comforting to realise we’re not the only ones craving something deeper and more aligned. I’m so grateful for this growing community too, we really aren’t alone in this. Thank you for being here and sharing your heart Anna ❤️
Agree!!
Reading this feels like coming home. Thank you, Rachel.
This means the world to me, thank you Matej 🙏🏼 I’m so glad it resonated and offered that feeling of home. That’s exactly what I hope to create with this work.
Oh Rachel! I hit the wall (again) this week and so needed to read and absorb your incredibly wise words! You are amazing! Total bullseye. Printing off your email so I can see it EVERY day. So grateful! It makes so much sense now why I feel so exhausted.
Ahh this means the world to me, thank you 🙏🏼 I’m so sorry you hit the wall this week, but I’m incredibly honoured that my words could meet you in that moment. You are not alone in this exhaustion, and I’m so glad it helped things make a little more sense. Sending you so much love and strength as you rest and gently find your way forward. So grateful to be walking this path alongside you ❤️
I really relate to so much of what you’ve written here. Since my mum’s passing, a lot has shifted for me too — especially in how I approach work. I’ve been intentionally cultivating more spaciousness in my life for over a year now, and I’m truly loving it. It’s brought such a different, deeper quality to how I live day to day.
Thank you so much for sharing this Miannah 🙏🏼 Grief has a way of reorienting us to what truly matters doesn't it? I love that you’ve been cultivating more spaciousness and that it’s brought a deeper quality to your days. Sending love as you continue to navigate this gentler, more aligned path ❤️
I deeply resonate and agree with this. I like this image of building my business like a home, it reminds me to honor my sensitivity in my self-imposed pace (because yes we tend to reproduce the work environment that’s considered the norm even when we’re our own boss).
I’m so glad this resonated Jessica 🙏🏼 That image of building your business like a home has been such a helpful anchor for me too - it really invites a gentler, more intentional pace. And yes, it’s so true how easy it is to recreate hustle-culture norms, even when we’re the ones in charge. Honoring your sensitivity as you build is such powerful, transformative work. You’re doing it beautifully ✨
This one spoke to my soul. I’m halfway there. I just need to figure out what the next, aligned chapter looks like. But not yet, for now I’m wintering! Loved this 💛
There’s so much wisdom in allowing yourself to pause and “winter” before rushing into the next thing. Trust that the clarity will come in its own time. I’m so glad this spoke to you. Sending love as you gently prepare for whatever’s next Sinéad 🌿✨
I relate to this so much...I think where I struggle in feeling blocked or confused (probably limiting belief) about the 'how' is what kinds of jobs or careers can support this need while still being able to live abundantly? Would love to hear any insights or experience from you and others on this! <3
I relate to this so much Gabrielle, and you’re definitely not alone in feeling that tension between wanting to live slowly and sustainably, while still wondering how to support that in a world that often feels like it demands the opposite ❤️ I actually wrote a recent post on money, meaning, and success that explores this exact question - especially around redefining enoughness. Sometimes it’s not just about the career itself, but how we’re measuring what’s “enough” to feel abundant and well-resourced. Would love to hear your thoughts if you give it a read! ☺️ https://rachelgadiel.substack.com/p/quiet-success
When I don’t follow a to-do list I make my best work! To-do lists can be beneficial to those that need them to stay on track but for me as not only an HSP but someone with ADHD as well it’s an overwhelming clusterfuck that puts a damper my productivity with time restrictions to get certain things done. I use the energy that have to hyper focus on tasks that need the most attention and so far it’s working well for me; this doing more with less method 👌
Yesss ❤️ I love how clearly you’ve tuned into your way of working Mari! To-do lists can be helpful for some, but for HSPs and ADHDers, they can definitely turn into pressure-packed chaos 😅 I’m all for the “do more with less” method - following your energy and focusing where it naturally flows is such a powerful and sustainable approach. So glad it’s working for you! 👏🏼
This is genius! It's funny, I know most of this info and yet... It still takes reminders (from me to me) that "hustle culture" ain't for everyone - in fact I'd argue that most people's nervous systems do not align with that type of lifestyle. Of course, HSPs must adhere to our own path as you say and our very particular way of doing things if we are to be healthy, happy, successful, and focused on developing and sharing our gifts. 🙌
Yes yes yes 🙌🏼 Even when we know this, it’s amazing how easily the hustle messaging can sneak back in. You’re so right Lisa, most nervous systems aren’t built for that pace, and for HSPs especially, it’s essential we honour our own rhythm. That’s how we create not just success, but sustainable, soul-aligned success. Thank you for this beautiful reminder ❤️