Intentionality

The Power of Slowing Down

Want more community? Join my discord server!

I have always wanted to be in broadcasting. It's been something I was interested in since I was a kid; I've gotten a few opportunities through pro wrestling and I even had a podcast—before they were invented—in college. But I know that I struggle with speaking clearly. Enunciation is a life-long battle. I speak too quickly and words often jam together, making it hard to understand me sometimes. I carry some shame around this and when I hear myself back I'm often embarrassed.

I got a new microphone last week, though, and I've made a commitment that I want to be more intentional in how I speak, especially when recording my podcast. (Oh yeah, I want to restart my weekly podcast! I hope you'll listen.)

Intentionality is something that comes up a lot in therapy for me. It's the difference between going through the motions and making conscious choices about how we show up in the world. When I think about my speech habits, I realize it’s not just about sloppy articulation. It’s about anxiety. It’s about racing to get my thoughts out before I forget them—or before someone stops listening. Slowing down feels risky.

But here’s what I’m learning: intentionality requires slowing down, not speeding up.

Small Shifts, Big Changes

Being intentional is about showing up on purpose. It’s about choosing how we move through the world—even in the smallest ways. My speech might not seem like a big deal to someone else, but for me, deciding to slow down has shifted more than just how I record audio. It's affected how I show up for conversations, for myself, and for my downtime.

There’s something strange that happens when we decide to pay attention. Suddenly, things we once brushed past feel more vivid. I noticed this just yesterday while reading. Normally, I’d skim a chapter and call it “reading.” Instead, I read slowly, on purpose. I wasn’t reading just to finish—I was reading to take something in. It felt different. Better.

I’m being more mindful about the books I choose to read, the kinds of conversations I invest in, and even how I spend my free time. I’m asking, “What do I want this moment to feel like?” instead of just barreling through my to-do list. It’s not that I suddenly have all this extra time—it’s that I’m doing fewer things mindlessly.

And what’s wild is how that intention in one area seems to create momentum elsewhere. Because once you feel the impact of choosing to be present, it’s hard to go back to autopilot.

I’ve even started noticing how many other parts of my life were built around rushing. Conversations. Email replies. Even the way I get ready feels hurried some mornings. It’s like I’ve lived most of my adult life on fast-forward. And for what? To get through things? To say I finished something? That’s not really living. That’s surviving.

There’s a difference between speed and progress. And I think for a long time, I’ve confused the two.

This new microphone isn’t magical. It won’t fix my speech overnight. But it has become a symbol of this shift. A small, intentional investment in being heard more clearly—and, more importantly, hearing myself more clearly. I want to speak at a pace that allows my words to land, not just escape. I want to move through my day with a little less panic and a little more presence.

Next week, I’ll explore how intentionality plays out in relationships—where our impact often doesn’t match our intent, and how slowing down might be the key to deeper connection. But for now, I’m focusing on what’s in front of me: one word, one sentence, one breath at a time.

This content is for educational and entertainment purposes and is not the same as therapy. If you need to talk to someone, go to PsychologyToday.com or one of the many online therapy platforms available and start treatment with a professional today!

For access to the weekly writing prompts and other exclusive content, consider becoming a paid subscriber!