Growing up in a deeply religious East African country, I heard one saying on repeat:
“An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.”
And because I wanted to stay as far from the devil as possible, I hated the idea of slowness. I hated stillness. I hated boredom. If I wasn’t doing something, I felt wrong.
That belief shaped everything about me. I convinced myself there was always something to be done — and as a result, I’ve spent most of my life expecting everything to happen fast.
I wanted results yesterday.
I wanted to feel stronger in the gym the second I finished my last rep.
I wanted to finally get that stubborn MCAT concept after 30 minutes of studying (lol).
I wanted to leap up the career ladder in months, not years.
I wanted proof I was moving forward — something I could measure, check off, and hold up as proof that I wasn’t wasting my time. But no matter how hard I pushed, life kept making me wait. And in the beginning? That waiting was torture.
But somewhere along the way, the waiting became… freeing.
The World’s Obsession With Speed
Everywhere you look, people are obsessed with speed.
Fast money.
Fast results.
Fast fame.
Scroll through Instagram or TikTok and it’s all:
“I made six figures in six months.”
“I transformed my body in 30 days.”
“I went from broke to boss overnight.”
And I’m just sitting there like… girl, no you didn’t.
Because we both know that’s not the full story.
What they call “overnight” usually took years of grinding, mistakes, setbacks, and quiet wins no one saw. But in a world that only claps for the highlight reel, the slow climb never gets the same applause.
The Ugly Truth About “Overnight”
Let’s be real:
That 22-year-old millionaire? Probably started hustling at 14, had access to resources most people don’t, or got lucky.
That fitness influencer who “got abs in two months”? Likely already had the foundation, or they’re just posing at the right angles.
The problem is, when we only see the end result, we start thinking we’re behind. That if our big break hasn’t happened yet, we must be doing something wrong.
And that feeling? That panic? I know it well. I’ve stayed up late thinking:
Am I too slow? Will I ever catch up? Am I wasting my time?
Why Slow Growth is More Attractive
I used to hate the slow pace. But the more I’ve been in my own grind — balancing work, MCAT prep, the gym, and trying to level up in life — the more I realize: the slow route is the one that actually builds something real.
Here’s why:
1. You actually build skills.
Anyone can get lucky once. Slow growth forces you to learn, adapt, and master things that will stick long after the hype fades.
2. It sticks.
Fast results are like crash diets — fun for a moment, but they fade. Slow growth creates habits and discipline that last for life.
3. It feels better.
There’s a pride that only comes from looking back and thinking, “Wow, I built this.” No shortcuts. No skipped steps. Just undeniable work.
4. You don’t burn out.
Rushing is exhausting. Slow growth teaches pacing so you can enjoy the journey instead of constantly running on empty.
Learning to Embrace the Slow
Even when you know slow growth is good, the world will still try to convince you to speed up.
Here’s what’s helped me quiet that noise:
- Measuring effort, not just results.
I track hours studied, reps completed, tasks finished — not just the outcome. - Creating rituals.
Making the process enjoyable — coffee in hand, music on, candle lit — so it’s about the doing, not just the finishing. - Cutting the noise.
Unfollowing content that makes me feel “behind” and replacing it with inspiration. - Celebrating micro-wins.
Lifting heavier than last week? Huge win. Finally understanding a tough MCAT concept? Huge win. - Trusting my timeline.
Progress might be invisible at first — but invisible doesn’t mean nonexistent.
My Reality Right Now
Truthfully? I’m in a slow season.
I’m building — in the gym, in my career, in my studies, even in how I carry myself. Some days, it feels like I’m on a treadmill while everyone else is sprinting past me. I catch myself asking:
Am I even moving forward? Or am I just stuck?
But when I look back six months, I see it. My discipline is sharper. My confidence is deeper. My habits are stronger. And that’s when it clicks: slow growth doesn’t feel sexy because it’s quiet. There’s no applause. No viral moment.
But one day, the results will be undeniable, and people will swear it happened overnight.
And I’ll know the truth — it didn’t.
A Conversation We All Have With Ourselves
I want to pause here and ask you:
When was the last time you gave yourself permission to be patient?
To trust the process instead of chasing someone else’s highlight reel?
I catch myself saying, I need this now. I need to see it. I need to feel successful today. And then I remind myself:
The things that matter don’t happen overnight. Your career. Your body. Your mindset. Your life.
So maybe instead of asking, “Why am I so slow?”, ask:
“Am I being consistent?”
“Am I building something real?”
“Am I showing up for myself?”
The Dialogue That Changes Everything
Picture this:
You: “I’m so behind. Everyone else is winning. I’m stuck.”
Inner Voice: “Slow down. You’re exactly where you need to be.”
You: “But I feel like nothing’s happening.”
Inner Voice: “The work you’re doing now? It’s invisible, yes. But it’s laying the foundation. Keep going.”
That’s the dialogue that shifts everything. The voice that reminds you: slow doesn’t mean failure. Slow means preparation. Slow means power.
Final Thoughts
There’s something beautiful about slow, steady progress. It teaches discipline. It builds confidence. It gives you control in a way flashy success never can.
So next time you feel like you’re behind, take a deep breath. Be still.
And remind yourself:
Slow. Steady. Still. Chill.
Because patience isn’t just a virtue — it’s power.
And the slow seasons? That’s where the magic happens.
When you finally arrive, it won’t just be success.
It’ll be yours.
Yours truly,
Your slow and steady sis,
S. Rahaka ❤
STACY's Space 🌍 
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