We just spent a wonderful five days in Flagstaff, Arizona, and things were beautiful, including the weather. I was so excited to escape the Florida heat, pack up the van, and take the dogs out on some beautiful hikes. But the second we rolled in, the altitude made itself known. I was winded just walking to the trailhead, and the dogs looked at me like, what’s your problem, mom? Even the bag of chips I brought along puffed up like it was ready to pop, which cracked me up because it felt like the universe was saying, “yep, everything’s under pressure up here.”

Instead of charging ahead like I planned, I had to back off. We took shorter hikes, stopped more often, and drank water like it was our full-time job. I had this vision of big adventure days, but once I stopped fighting it, I noticed the little things. One pup, Trooper, bounding over rocks like a champ, the other, Cali, carefully navigating her way around them, and me realizing maybe I don’t always have to be in go-mode to enjoy myself. Slowing down wasn’t what I pictured, but it actually made the trip better.

That’s what today’s Wise Walk is about. It’s those times when life forces you to downshift, and how the pause can end up being exactly what you needed all along.

• • Where in your life are you experiencing high intensity times?
  • Are you juggling so much that you’re just trying not to drop anything?
  • When you’re in go-mode, are you remembering to retreat and rest?
  • Are you giving your body time to adjust instead of pushing through?
  • Where are you pushing yourself harder than feels sustainable?
  • What does it look like for you to take a reprieve from demands?
  • How can you create moments of stillness to check in with yourself?
  • Are you nurturing your heart, mind, body, and spirit with what they need?
  • Are you remembering that high intensity modes are temporary?
  • Where can you build in time to rest and restore before the next push?
  • Are you aware when you’ve slipped into high intensity mode?
  • Can you pause long enough to say, “this is not sustainable”?
  • What helps you balance intensity with stillness?
  • How do you allow yourself to recharge after a big effort?
  • What practices help you feel grounded in the middle of chaos?
  • Where in your life can you retreat or slow down right now?
  • What shifts when you notice your surroundings with fresh eyes?
  • How can you meander without purpose and still find perspective?
  • Where have you gained clarity by stepping back?
  • How can you apply that clarity the next time intensity rises?

As always, I would love to hear what you took away from today's episode, so please feel free to reach out, and then I look forward to next Thursday's Wise Walk, so be sure to tune in, share this episode if it resonates with you, and until then, please be sure to prioritize fun as you read the signs, direct your path, and get your Stride On.

In this episode:

• [03:27] Previously I talked about flying into Reno to visit some friends in Tahoe, California, and I forgot about the elevation differences, and I did get altitude sickness on that trip.
• [04:10] Our bodies have to adjust. Everything has to adjust from the dogs to my bag of potato chips.
• [05:18] We allowed time to hydrate and let our bodies adjust. We didn't push ourselves to a point of exertion that would make us sick.
• [06:11] In those high intensity moments, it's hard to know the internal needs of our own bodies, minds, and hearts.
• [07:34] The dogs and I had a magical time in Flagstaff, Arizona. We did some intense hiking and then slept hard.
• [08:49] Periods of exertion are healthy.
• [11:12] I also saw this idea come to life driving from Flagstaff, Arizona to Sedona, Arizona. There were swerving roads and hills and driving was a high intensity moment.
• [13:50] Life is like that when you have those high intensity moments. I was gripping the wheel and then when I got to the other side I could just breathe.
• [14:39] High intensity moments are just life, and I need to balance them out with time to decompress.
• [15:58] This awareness has reminded me that I need to create space to get out of my own environment.
• [17:11] On my trip to Ireland, I was able to get out of my environment, and it's the same for this trip.
• [19:39] The other big gift this trip has given me is perspective from seeing the contrast in my life from intense to recovery.

Memorable Quotes:

• “We can do high intensity as long as we balance that with some downtime, some downshifting, some restorative time.” - Mary Tess
• “We don’t have to live in go-mode all the time. Downshifting is how we keep moving forward with joy.” - Mary Tess
• “Rest doesn’t mean you’re falling behind. It means you’re preparing for the next climb.” - Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

• Mary Tess Rooney
• Email
• Heart Value

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