5 Key Moments When I Realized I Had to Slow Down (and How It Saved My Life)

1. The Day Chaos Defeated Me
The first key moment happened one ordinary Wednesday. You wake up, still in your pajamas, open your email on your phone, and there it is—chaos. Sound familiar? Well, for me, it went a step further. I immediately jumped out of bed and started working, my mind already full of obligations and thoughts. I began manically answering emails and dealing with pressing situations before I even had my coffee—or did anything else for that matter (like my morning lemon water).

By noon, I already felt like my brain was foggy. I had argued with colleagues, forgotten to pick up my child from preschool (realizing only when I got home and had to run back), and by the end of the day, I took out my frustrations on my husband and kids.

That’s when I realized: no, mornings are not the time for business battles, and neither are evenings. Now I take 20 minutes for myself to do something relaxing—without screens. This peace has become invaluable. When I get home from work, I focus on myself and my family, and evenings are reserved for unwinding.

·    What did I learn? Mornings are not for battling with emails. Do something for yourself—whether alone or with your partner—meditate, enjoy a peaceful coffee, or whatever helps you relax. The world won’t fall apart if you don’t respond to emails before 8 a.m. Of course, there are exceptions, but try to keep them rare.

2. The Day Social Media Became My New Boss
I have to admit—I wasn’t always a fan of social media. Any social media. When I first realized how much extra work a social media presence could entail, I was surprised. Followers, interactions, networking... but soon, the inevitable happened—social media started dictating my rhythm. I had to be present, had to respond to messages, had to post regularly. Suddenly, I wasn’t managing social media; it was managing me.

That’s when I implemented order and started practicing “smart digital breaks.” Yes, due to the nature of my work, I need to use social media, but that doesn’t mean I’ll let it “abuse” me.

·    What did I learn? Social media is a great tool, but it’s not my boss. You control technology—don’t let technology control you.

3. The Weekend I Escaped the Digital World
One of the most important moments came when I decided to completely disconnect over a weekend. Phone? Off. Laptop? Left at home. I was nervous. What about work? What if I miss something? The first day felt strange. But the next morning, as I walked in nature, I realized I wasn’t missing anything. In fact, I felt lighter, calmer, more present.
Nature has always been my source of strength and peace. After that weekend, I rediscovered the power of nature. It heals me and replenishes my energy. This experience was one of the key reasons I decided to pursue therapy in nature. This way, I not only help myself but can also help others through these healing processes.

·    What did I learn? A digital detox is essential. Yes, there are times when you must work on weekends, but limit those moments. Make them as rare as possible. Without occasional breaks, there’s no success. The best decision I made? Spending weekends without social media. The world won’t stop if you disconnect for a day or two. What I gain in return—peace of mind—is priceless. Mental health requires setting ‘digital boundaries,’ which give you the freedom to focus on what truly matters.


4. The Meeting When I Realized I Had to Choose
Once, I sat in a meeting, completely overwhelmed. I had too many responsibilities, too much work, and I realized—something had to go. I couldn’t juggle everything and be everywhere at once. That day, I made one of the most important decisions—I decided to choose. I didn’t have to attend every meeting. I didn’t have to complete every project. And in the end, I didn’t even have to stay at that job. And I didn’t. I haven’t regretted that decision. A new opportunity came, of course, with new challenges. But with that decision, a whole new world opened up for me. That’s how Therapies in Nature began.

·    What did I learn? When I first started slowing down, I thought I’d miss out on opportunities. But sometimes, you need to let go of something to focus on what matters most. Quality always beats quantity. In the end, I organized my life better and achieved more—not quantitatively, but qualitatively.

5. The Day Life Slowed Me Down
Although this is the last key moment described, it’s the most important. It happened when I completely exhausted my body. After years of stress, exhaustion, and an impossible pace, I reached a point where I couldn’t go on. I was physically and mentally drained. My body simply said NO. You might think this can’t happen to you, but trust me, it can. Afterward, it became clear that I needed to start living differently. Slow down. Start listening to my body.

At that moment, I sought peace in a place that had always been close to me—nature. Every day spent in nature brought me serenity and balance that I couldn’t find anywhere else. Walking through the forest, listening to the sounds of nature, breathing fresh air—all of this slowly restored my strength and rejuvenated my immune system. This process wasn’t quick, but it was healing. Nature became my most important ally in regaining my health.

·    What did I learn? Nothing is more important than health. If your body forces you to slow down, it’s not a weakness—it’s a gift. Learn to listen to your body before it’s too late. When we experience enough pain, we make changes. Don’t wait for it to hurt too much. And perhaps most importantly, embrace the power that being in nature can bring to your mind and body.

Conclusion
Slow down—not because you have to, but because you deserve it. These lessons didn’t come easily, but now they’re part of my everyday life. Slowing down has allowed me not only to achieve more but to find myself again. With the help of nature, I am more present. I run my business in a way that doesn’t drain me but strengthens me. In the end, everything we build—career, business, relationships—means nothing if we aren’t balanced ourselves. Nature helped me rediscover this precious balance. Now, I help others do the same.

P.S.

Don’t wait until your health says “enough.” Slow down today because, at the end of the day, there’s nothing more valuable than you and your health.

Mila Triller