Unlearning the Hustle: How I Found My Way to Slow Living (and How You Can, Too)

Welcome to Slow Living Solutions, nestled in the storybook town of Staunton, Virginia. If you’d told me a decade ago that I’d end up here—crafting a life and a business rooted in intentionality and legacy—I probably would have laughed. And yet, here I am. The journey wasn’t linear or predictable. Honestly? It was the opposite. But that’s the magic of choosing to live on purpose.

You know that Paulo Coelho quote?

"Maybe the journey isn't so much about becoming anything. Maybe it's about un-becoming everything that isn't really you, so you can be who you were meant to be in the first place."

That’s not just a pretty sentiment. It’s the story of my last 15+ years. I spent far too long running on the corporate hamster wheel—chasing titles, approval, and the next big “win.” Sure, I collected achievements. But fulfillment? That was always just out of reach.

I’m what you’d call a natural change agent. Bucking convention used to be something that happened to me. Over time, I realized I could make it intentional—a choice, not an accident. But let’s be real: challenging the status quo isn’t always celebrated, especially in big organizations built on tradition, hierarchy, and “the way we’ve always done things.” Most workplaces are just microcosms of society, with their own unwritten rules about who belongs, what matters, and how change is “supposed” to happen.

Here’s the thing: when your values no longer fit the environment you’re in, friction is inevitable. For me, the relentless drive for competition and people-pleasing led straight to burnout. I couldn’t lead the way I believed in. I craved vision, purpose, and meaningful connection—but the system rewarded micromanagement and overwork, not authentic leadership or human flourishing.

I didn’t want to be another cog in a machine that only measured worth by numbers. What actually fulfills me? Human connection, real conversations, and helping others rediscover what matters most. But in the heart of Washington DC, the “grind” mentality was everywhere. The more I tried to fit in, the more I lost myself. The relationships, the environment—even my own sense of well-being—were suffering. I realized: this isn’t the life I want to craft.

One day, venting to my best friend, I half-joked about moving to Scotland, marrying a sheep farmer, and baking sourdough bread. (Spoiler: I didn’t move to Scotland.) But that fantasy cracked something open. What if I stopped chasing what I was “supposed” to want? What if simpler, deeper, and more intentional was actually richer? What if I finally trusted myself to build a life—on my terms?

So I did the wild thing: I bought a house in a town I’d never visited, where I knew no one. I started a business for people who, like me, are done living by default. People who want to reclaim their power, clarify their values, and design a life that feels as good on the inside as it looks on paper.

That’s the heartbeat of Slow Living Solutions.

You don’t have to settle for the life you ended up with by accident or by someone else’s definition of “success.” Your solution might unfold slowly, but every intentional step brings you closer to a life that’s truly yours—a life well lived, crafted with care.

This blog is where I’ll share how I’m living this journey—messy, honest, and full of lessons. If you’re ready to unlearn the hustle and start living on purpose, you’re in the right place.

Welcome to Slow Living Solutions. Let’s craft your legacy—one intentional choice at a time.

Ready to take the first step?

✨ Drop your wildest dream (the one you secretly wish you had the courage to chase!) in the comments below—I’d LOVE to cheer you on.

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Your dream life isn’t a fantasy—it’s waiting for you to claim it. Let’s do this together. 🚀