I'm almost level 10 and I haven't even left Whiterun yet, just been doing Whiterun quests. Does the leveling slow down substantially later on? I don't want to get too powerful too fast - seems like that would be less fun. I'm tempted to go back to the standing stones and pick a stone that has nothing to do with the skills I actually use.

There are other standing stones around the world that don't give direct experience increases - there is one just near Whiterun, actually. The Serpent stone, I though, but I'm not 100% sure on that one.

Level 10 and haven't left Whiterun isn't that bad, depending on your character you can stay based in Whiterun the whole game. Leveling does slow down later on, as it takes longer to level up your main skills, and presuming you're not making a character who gets to level 100 at everything, there is a point where they wont level up anymore. I've got to level 20-25 in one day of playing and stayed in Whiterun that whole time a couple of times before, so thats not too bad. It depends on your character - if you use sneak, block, one handed, archery and light armour, you will level up faster than if you use two handed and light armour alone.

Which skills are contributing to your character level? If you are doing a lot of non-combat levelling, beware that the enemies you face later will be dependent on your character level. The higher your level the tougher your enemies, when you don't have the combat skills to match your character level it can be quite tough, esp. on higher difficulties

If your spending time at the Forge or Alchemy Table or Enchanting Altar and leveling up, and not fighting enemies, then you are leveling up too fast. If you are going out and getting into fights and you are not crafting to level up, then you are probably leveling up OK as your combat skills will keep up with your character level.

Exactly, depends on what you want to level up in. Armor is a lot slower to level up than Smithing for example. Blocking is easier to level up than Speech.
Slow down if the skills you WANT are not leveling as fast as the skills you don't want.

Then again, maxing smithing and enchanting will make you pretty uber even if your other combat skills are nerfed

Cool thanks for all the tips. I see there's the Lord Stone northwest of Whiterun. I plan to pay it a visit. And also maybe not make so many potions.

If you feel you're leveling too fast, you're leveling too fast. If you feel you're not leveling too fast, you're not leveling too fast.

I had a moment on my first duel-wielding paladin (he was an awesome Argonian) when I hit level 25 on my first day of creating him. I wasn't into smithing/enchanting/alchemy, and I was just like. "Wow. Thats WAY to quick."

It ultimately doesn't matter. You'll get to use those nifty perks a lot sooner. Enemies level with you to a certain extent. The creatures are not varied enough so that you'll miss anything if you level up too quickly.

The only thing to be worried about is if you're leveling skills that aren't relevent, as others have said. They will make you weaker for a bit, but mothing that can't be compensated for.

The Lord Stone is the one I take. Hard to beat having damage reductions on both physical and magic damage early on. Even late game I tend to still like it best.

If you are having fun, then keep leveling up.

If it is not so fun just don't open the skills menu.

I think its actually difficult to make this game unplayable through leveling. Its unlike MW and OB in that you don't need to get a good multiplier for endurance early on.

You always can fall back on the difficulty slider and because money is so easy you can get buffed out before any really hard engagements..

LOL, you wouldn't like The Lover Stone then. Improves all skills 15% faster. That's what most of my Light Armored characters use. Seeing as Light Armor is considered in The Thief Trees, and not under the Warrior (Combat Skills).

I got to LV9 without even grabbing the stone in the beginning with Hadvar/Ralof. I have still yet to even grab a stone but I'm sure I'll grab the Lover. This character has so many specializations from each tree.

IMHO, the Lover Stone is one of the best in the game next to The Atronach.

Staying away from the crafting skills unless needed (not over using them) will ensure you have a more even leveled playing experience. Making 25 iron daggers at a time, or enchanting two dozen items after fillingsoul gems clearing a dungeon is a surefire way to overcharge your leveling.