In a world that glorifies hustle, productivity, and constant motion, the idea of intentionally slowing down can feel radical—if not impossible. Yet, as Candis Williams, certified life coach, on-camera host, and marketing mentor, shares in her powerful interview on the Confident You podcast, embracing a “slow year” can be the key to unlocking peace, purpose, and true alignment in your life and business.
Drawing from her own transformative journey, Candis offers a nuanced, actionable roadmap for anyone—especially women—who feels trapped by the relentless pace of modern life. In this post, we’ll break down the main themes and actionable tips from the episode, providing you with deep insights and practical steps to start your own slow year, or simply to infuse more intention and rest into your daily routine.
The Slow Year: What It Is and Why It Matters
Candis Williams’s “slow year” isn’t about dropping everything and moving to a remote beach (though that sounds nice!). Instead, it’s about embodying slowness as a state of being—living with intention, working smarter, and prioritizing peace over relentless productivity.
Key Takeaways:
The slow year is a conscious commitment to slow down for an extended period (not just a weekend or vacation).
It’s about recalibrating your life, health, relationships, and purpose.
Anyone can embrace slowness, regardless of their circumstances.
“It’s about living with more intention, working smarter—not harder. I had to be deeply devoted to this desire for peace and change.” — Candis Williams
Giving Yourself Permission to Slow Down
The first and most crucial step: Give yourself permission to slow down. This is often the hardest part, especially for women who have internalized the belief that their worth is tied to how much they do.
Actionable Advice:
Acknowledge your desire for change. Notice the signs of burnout or misalignment.
Challenge the “I can’t” narrative. Candis notes that even single moms with six kids have found ways to slow down.
Trust that you are supported. Whether by a higher power, your community, or your own inner wisdom.
Expert Insight:
Permission is not a one-time event. It’s a daily practice of reminding yourself that rest and slowness are not only allowed but necessary.
Questioning Societal Beliefs About Productivity and Worth
Candis emphasizes that much of our resistance to slowing down comes from societal conditioning—especially for women.
In-Depth Strategies:
Identify inherited beliefs: Ask yourself, “Where did I learn that my value is tied to productivity or sacrifice?”
Reframe your narrative: Instead of seeing rest as laziness, view it as a radical act of self-care and empowerment.
Become the main character: Don’t live by a script written by others. Take ownership of your story.
Pro Tip:
Journal about the messages you received growing up about work, rest, and worth. Which ones serve you? Which ones can you let go of?
Reconnecting with Rituals and Sacred Rest
Candis’s transformation was deeply rooted in returning to the slow-living principles of her upbringing in Australia. Rituals and sacred rest became anchors in her slow year.
How to Reconnect:
Establish weekly rituals: For example, Candis’s family had a “preparation day” and a “sacred rest day” each week.
Create daily anchors: Morning and evening devotionals, quiet time, or simply a mindful cup of coffee.
Invite community: Share meals, conversations, or spiritual practices with others.
Expert Insight:
Rituals don’t have to be elaborate. Consistency and intention are what make them powerful.
The Power of Surrender and Alignment
One of the most profound lessons from Candis’s slow year was the power of surrender. When she let go of misaligned work and relationships, new opportunities appeared—almost miraculously.
How to Practice Surrender:
Recognize when you’re forcing things. If you’re hustling without joy or results, it may be time to let go.
Allow space for the unknown. Surrender isn’t giving up; it’s making room for something better.
Trust the process. As Candis experienced, alignment often follows surrender.
Real-World Example:
After ending her marriage and business, Candis received a call to host a travel show—an opportunity that had been dormant for years.
Coaching with Integrity: The Value of Exploration Over Perfection
Candis’s approach to coaching is rooted in integrity and authenticity. She doesn’t claim to have all the answers—instead, she invites clients to explore alongside her.
Actionable Coaching Principles:
Show up as a guide, not a guru. Your role is to ask questions and facilitate discovery, not to preach perfection.
Embrace imperfection. Share your struggles and ongoing learning with clients.
Commit to ongoing mastery. Integrity comes from practicing what you teach, even if you’re not perfect at it.
Expert Advice:
Clients resonate more with coaches who are real and relatable than with those who pretend to have it all figured out.
Building Confidence Through Action and Curiosity
Confidence isn’t innate—it’s built through action and a willingness to explore. Candis and I highlight that confidence grows as you take small steps, even when you feel uncertain.
How to Build Confidence:
Take tiny actions. Start with manageable steps to build evidence of your capability.
Be curious, not perfect. Confidence comes from embracing the unknown and being willing to learn.
Celebrate progress. Each small win reinforces your belief in yourself.
Recommended Reading:
The Confidence Code by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman—explores how action breeds confidence, especially for women.
The 13 Principles of the Slow Year
Candis’s Slow Year program is built around 13 core principles. Each one offers a pathway to deeper alignment and intentional living.
The Principles:
Permission – Allow yourself to slow down.
Preparation – Set up your environment and schedule for slowness.
Trust – Believe that you are supported.
Desire – Get clear on what you truly want.
Devotion – Commit to your new way of being.
Rest – Prioritize restorative downtime.
Pleasure – Seek joy in everyday moments.
Play – Reconnect with spontaneity and fun.
Communion – Build meaningful connections.
Creativity – Make space for inspiration and expression.
Celebration – Acknowledge your progress and wins.
Surrender – Let go of what no longer serves you.
Stewardship – Care for your resources, time, and energy.
Deep Dive:
Candis admits that “play” is the principle she struggles with most, reminding us that even the experts are works in progress.
Practical Steps to Start Your Own Slow Year
Ready to embrace slowness? Here’s how to get started:
1. Audit Your Life
Identify areas where you feel rushed, overwhelmed, or misaligned.
Notice which of the 13 principles you’re neglecting.
2. Create Intentional Margin
Block off time in your calendar for rest, play, and unstructured activities.
Set boundaries around work—no emails on weekends, for example.
3. Establish Rituals
Start with a simple morning or evening routine.
Designate a weekly “sacred rest” day, even if it’s just a few hours.
4. Practice Surrender
Let go of projects, relationships, or habits that drain you.
Trust that space will invite new opportunities.
5. Seek Support
Join a community or program like The Slow Year for accountability and inspiration.
Work with a coach who values exploration and integrity.
6. Celebrate Progress
Acknowledge every step, no matter how small. Slowing down isn’t about reaching a final destination—it’s about becoming more present to the journey. Each time you choose rest over rushing, alignment over approval-seeking, or presence over productivity, you’re making meaningful progress.
Final Thoughts: Permission to Be Imperfect
As you embark on your own journey toward a slower, more intentional life, remember this: **you have full permission to be imperfect.** The slow year isn’t about achieving some flawless state of zen or mastering every principle overnight. It’s about honoring your humanity, embracing the messy middle, and allowing yourself to grow at your own pace.
Candis’s story is a powerful reminder that transformation is not linear. There will be days when you slip back into old habits, when rest feels impossible, or when “play” seems out of reach. That’s okay. Give yourself grace. Each step—no matter how small or inconsistent—counts.
**Perfection is not the goal; presence is.** The real magic happens when you show up for yourself, imperfectly but wholeheartedly, again and again. By granting yourself permission to be a work in progress, you open the door to deeper self-compassion, resilience, and joy.
So as you consider your own slow year, let go of the pressure to get it “right.” Instead, celebrate your willingness to try, to pause, and to choose a different way. In a world that demands so much, your imperfection is not a flaw—it’s your freedom.
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Ready to begin? Start where you are, trust the process, and remember: you are enough, exactly as you are, right now.
Candis Williams is a Certified Life Coach, On-Camera Host, Speaker and Marketing Mentor for service-based business owners. Throughout her decade-long career as a coach and creative professional, Candis has challenged clients and audiences to build lives of greater peace, purpose and joy, whilst embracing and sharing their unique stories.
At the end of 2021, Candis embarked on a year of deep transformation that she dubbed The Slow Year™ and now shares the stories, principles and practices that underpinned this life-changing year, through her speaking and coaching programs.
Candis holds a degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Queensland, Australia as well as certificates in Health Coaching and Image Consulting, and certifications in Life and Spiritual Coaching. She has spoken on diverse platforms such as the Small Business Expo, StartUp Weekend, Women for Success Summit, LIT College Tour and at the University of Miami Department of Multicultural Student Affairs. She has been the talent for brands including Schwarzkopf Professional, Wilson Sporting Goods, LifeFitness, and Virgin Trains, to name a few.
Candis currently hosts a Travel Show for Carnival Cruise Line, where she explores local culture, cuisine and experiences at various cruise destinations in the Caribbean Sea.
Connect with Candis here:
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