Do you find yourself constantly pushing to achieve more? Are you always trying to perfect everything you do? Or have you learned to sometimes put down the weight of endless ambition and just be present in your body?
“When you are constantly pushing yourself to perform, your nervous system gets stuck in a state of chronic activation,” explained
, author and somatic movement educator when we interviewed her recently. “Over time, this creates a pattern where your nervous system forgets how to down-regulate and to rest. True transformation comes not from forcing change or pushing harder, but from creating spaces of safety where our system can naturally find its way back to balance.”Here are three powerful ways to break free from this cycle:
What If Ambition Isn't That Interesting? When we release the need to constantly achieve and perform, we create space for genuine curiosity about our experience. Rather than trying to perfect every movement or master every practice, try asking yourself: "If ambition isn't interesting right now, what is?" Notice what emerges when you let go of striving. Perhaps you'll discover a playful desire to explore how your body wants to move, or a gentle urge to simply be present with your breath. Let your body guide you toward what feels nourishing rather than what looks impressive.
What If Performance Isn't Required? Our culture conditions us to believe that everything must be done perfectly. But what if, just for now, you didn't need to perform? Try this: Take a comfortable seat and begin breathing naturally through your nose. Rather than forcing yourself to count breaths or achieve a specific rhythm, simply notice your natural exhale. At the end of each breath out, allow for a gentle pause - not to the point of gasping or air hunger, but just enough to start recognizing when your body wants to slow down. If you need to take another breath, do so. There's no right or wrong way to experience this - you're simply creating space for your body's natural rhythm to emerge. When we stop performing, even with our breath, we can start sensing what our body actually needs. Let your body, not your mind, guide the pace of your breathing.
Shake It Out With Oscillation Just as a toddler needs gentle, soothing movement to calm down, our nervous system benefits from gentle "jiggling" or oscillating movements. Try this: Lie down on the floor and let your heels guide a gentle rocking motion through your body. Think of it like a dimmer switch - you control the intensity from subtle to more vigorous movement based on what feels soothing. This movement helps release old patterns of tension while triggering calming endorphins and increasing circulation. The key is to move without agenda - let your body guide the way rather than trying to do it "right."
"Most of the people that I see have a great front shiny end, but they're falling apart everywhere else. It's at the cost of every other part of their lives that's not living, that isn't being fully present," Nahid explained. "This work gives you a much fuller understanding of what it means to be human, to be fully human, and not just this front-facing performative facade that we put to the public."
We took away so many aha insights and practical tools from our recent podcast with Nahid that we've recorded an after-party podcast to dive deeper into how you can reconnect with your body's wisdom. Just hit play above to join us.
For more information on the Human Method and Nahid's work, visit thehumanmethod.co.uk and be sure to grab a copy of her new book, "Soothed."
Please note: We are mindful that ‘girl’ and ‘woman’ are socially constructed ideas of gender that can fall painfully short of defining the fabulous complexity of who we each are. If these words resonate with part of how you have previously or currently identified yourself, we’d love to hear about your lived experiences.
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