There is a certain intimacy in being with oneself that many of us find difficult. We live in a world that prizes speed and productivity, where "doing" is seen as the ultimate measure of worth. It is no wonder, then, that stillness feels foreign—sometimes even threatening.

In these moments of quiet, when the distractions fade away, we are faced with the rawness of our own thoughts and feelings. We meet parts of ourselves we have long kept hidden behind busyness, social obligations or screens. In the space of nothingness, we are forced to confront ourselves—and, perhaps, this is what we fear most.

So, we run. We run toward distraction, toward the comfort of fast-paced lives that keep us from being present. We fill our days with noise, our minds with to-do lists, and our bodies with substances, all to escape the discomfort of just "being."

But why?

Why do we distract ourselves from ourselves?

The Fear of Vulnerability

One of the most profound reasons we avoid ourselves is the fear of vulnerability. To sit with oneself means to sit with everything—our hopes, our fears, our joy, and our pain. It means acknowledging that there are parts of us we haven't healed, emotions we've buried, and desires we've pushed aside in favour of external validation.

In a world that tells us to "hustle" and "keep going," vulnerability feels like weakness. We distract ourselves because it's easier to stay on the surface than dive into the depths of who we really are.

The Unresolved Emotions

Stillness brings clarity, and with clarity comes truth. The truth that we are not always as happy, fulfilled, or at peace as we present to the world. When we slow down, these unresolved emotions rise to the surface—emotions we have numbed with alcohol, masked with busyness, or buried under the weight of constant consumption.

Distraction becomes a way to avoid facing the difficult emotions that lie beneath the surface. But what if we embraced these moments instead of running from them?

The Power of Presence

To be present is to reclaim the intimacy with ourselves. When we slowdown, we begin to see that the discomfort we feel is not something to fear, but something to explore. In this space, we can gently ask ourselves, "What am I avoiding?" "Why do I feel the need to distract myself?"

The truth is, being with yourself isn’t always easy. It requires courage to face your inner world and patience to sit with the discomfort. But it is in this discomfort that the potential for growth lies.

When we stop distracting ourselves, we make room for the things that truly matter. We become aware of the beauty in the moment, of the richness in simplicity, and of the joy in just being—without needing to do.

Reconnecting Through The Slowdown Method

The Slowdown Method is an invitation to reconnect with yourself. It offers tools that guide you into the present moment, helping you step away from distractions and into a life of intentional presence. Through mindfulness practices, reflection and cultivating a slower, more intentional rhythm, you can begin to embrace the vulnerability and beauty of being with yourself.

It is only in slowing down that we can truly hear ourselves, feel ourselves and begin to live from a place of grounded presence. Distractions will always be there, but when we learn to be with ourselves, we find that the need to escape slowly fades away.