Slowing Down

Are you able to slow down enough to listen to Zachary Knowles 👇🏽 ?

Let’s get real: The cult of speed is everywhere. Hustle culture, “move fast and break things,” and the unspoken badge of honor for burning the candle at both ends.

Danya’s story is a masterclass in this: 80-hour weeks, New York’s electric pulse, and a relentless drive to do, be, and experience everything. It’s intoxicating, addicting …

and TIRING.

Speed is seductive, but it’s also a trap.

The world rewards velocity.

but we rarely ask ourselves - what are we running toward?

… or away from?

The Illusion of Progress

In your 20s, speed feels like progress. You’re stacking experiences, building networks, and racking up “career capital.”

At some point many of us - unconsciously - conflate activity and progress.

Are you spinning your wheels - mistaking exhaustion for achievement?

The Power of the Pause

Slowing down isn’t about giving up; it’s about leveling up.

As we get older I think depth beats breadth.

Reflection is required to process our emotions and leap into spiritual inquiry.

Think of it as compound interest for your soul.

The time you invest in slowing down pays exponential dividends in clarity, resilience, and authentic connection. It’s not about trading ambition for introspection—it’s about integrating both, so you can sprint when it matters and recover when it counts.

Integration, Not Abdication

The punchline?

You don’t have to choose between speed and stillness.

The most effective people can toggle between the two.

They build in cycles of intensity and recovery, action and reflection. They don’t just run fast; they run smart.

What if the real competitive advantage isn’t how fast you can go, but how skillfully you can pause, reflect, and recalibrate?

I just wanna try something, 

                try something new

Even if it doesn't mean that I'll get to you

I just wanna try something, 

                 try something new

Even if it doesn't mean that I'll get to you

I just wanna

All the pressure, all the sadness going through my head; Try to focus, I can't help it, put it on you instead

Slow down

Slow down

I just wanna

All the pressure, all the sadness going through my head; Try to focus, I can't help it, put it on you instead

Slow down

Slow down

I just wanna

Pick up the phone - I've been calling, but it seems nobody's home now

(Right now)

I feel alone, if you listen, you can hear it in my tone now

(Right now)

But you prayed for me

When I felt tired and when I called out, you were right there - Yeah, you prayed for me

When I got stressed out and felt like no one was around

Yeah, you prayed for me

I just wanna

All the pressure, all the sadness going through my head; Try to focus, I can't help it, put it on you instead

Slow down

Slow down

I just wanna

Every time I reach out, I feel like I don't get an answer right away

No, no, no, no, no

I know it's foolish of me to think that everyone else should have the words to say

Slow down, you're stuck in your own head now

Slow down, I can't get out of bed now

Slow down, is this what happens when it rains now? (Rains now)

Is this what happens when it rains now? (Rains now)

(Is this what happens when it rains now?)

(Slow down, is this what happens when it rains now, rains now?)

I just wanna

-Zachary Knowles