Blackbirdsing,
Your question is a good one! I had to slow down, too. I was working in a stressful job, had two busy teenagers and a husband who travelled constantly. I was going full-speed until I hit the wall and then I had no choice but to slow down. I started working part-time and was so, so grateful that I was able, financially, to do that. I started saying 'No' to many things coming my way. I think I knew instinctively that I was going to have to use my energy to work on myself. It was very hard for me to say No, and it was another lesson in recovery, when I accepted that I couldn't be all things to all people.