Tone Down the Urgency! The Act of Slowing Down as Climate Activists
Before you feel triggered by my statement that we must slow down in our climate actions, let me explain the overlooked importance of slowing down our thoughts, bodies, and minds. Although we believe we can do things faster today than ever before, we aren’t acting at optimum speed.
We might believe we’re multitasking, but what the brain is really doing is jumping back and forth between tasks.
In this “jumping”, we lose focus, creativity, and problem-solving skills. We also make more mistakes and end up wasting time correcting errors.
As climate activists, it is absolutely crucial that we remain grounded, nurture our optimism, and continue to use our curiosity to explore new visions and ideas. We are here to BUILD A NEW WORLD, not fight the old one. In such an important pursuit, we need our brains to work at optimum speed!
When we move too fast, we lose what we need most:
Focus – Our ideas become scattered and our ability to make sense of the world is weakened.
Creativity – We miss the fresh, innovative solutions waiting to be born in stillness.
Energy – We burn out before we create real change.
If we want to build a better world, we need to show up as our clearest, most inspired, and most resilient selves. And that starts with slowing down.
We’re Here to Build a New World, Not Just Fight the Old One
Change happens when we move with intention. The world doesn’t need more exhausted activists running on fumes. It needs:
Emotional resilience – The ability to keep going with optimism.
Slow + intentional mindfulness – Creating space for clarity and impact.
Transformational, positive change – Not just reactionary action.
Bold, creative, and inspired action – The kind that shifts the future.
When we rush, we react. When we slow down, we create.
Slow Down + Invite Space: How to Reclaim Your Changemaker Power
Here are some practices for creating the space and focus that will help you harness your truest change-maker power:
Start your morning with some kind of movement. This removes brain fogginess that built up overnight.
Don’t multitask and remove distractions. Allow yourself to tap into flow by scheduling 45-minute windows of uninterrupted focus on a given task.
Set boundaries to allow for spiritual and mental focus. Remember - your work is only as grounded and impactful as you are. You matter, and so does your space.
Practice ways to expand your thinking. This involves mind wandering, meditating, creative mind mapping, and visualization.
The Future Is Built in the Space Between the Noise
Slowing down isn’t about doing less—it’s about doing better. It’s about ensuring that every action you take is aligned, clear, and powerful.
The future is shaped by those who dare to dream, create, and take action from a place of vision—not urgency. So take a breath. Create space.
That’s where the real change begins. 💫
If you want to dive deeper into your inner development work and learn how to activate your unique climate leadership, head over to The Climate Optimist Course and enroll today!
