Relearning Rest

Start writing...Why doing less might be the most powerful thing you can do.

I used to think rest was something you earned.

Rest was for after the project was done. After the laundry was folded. After I replied to every message, cleared every notification, and crossed every task off my to-do list. Only then—if there was time left—I allowed myself to rest. But even then, it came with guilt.

Sound familiar?

We live in a culture that equates rest with laziness. Productivity is glorified. Burnout is worn like a badge of honor. We say things like “I’ll sleep when I’m dead” and “I’ve got too much to do to slow down.” Somewhere along the way, rest became a reward instead of a necessity.

But what if we've had it backwards all along?


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The Burnout You Don’t See Coming

Burnout doesn’t always arrive with flashing lights. Sometimes, it slips in quietly. You wake up tired even after a full night’s sleep. You feel numb instead of excited. The things that once brought joy feel like chores.

I didn’t realize I was burned out until I found myself crying in the bathroom after a seemingly normal day. No dramatic event, no crisis—just an overwhelming exhaustion that I couldn’t shake.

That was the moment I realized: I had forgotten how to rest.


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Rest Is Not a Luxury

Rest isn’t optional. It’s biological. Mental. Emotional. Spiritual. We are not machines designed to run non-stop. Even machines break down when they don’t get maintenance.

Rest is how we heal. How we grow. How we think clearly and show up fully for ourselves and others. It’s not something we should feel guilty about—it’s something we must relearn.


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What Does Real Rest Look Like?

Rest isn’t just sleeping in or taking a vacation once a year. Real rest is deeper. It’s intentional. It’s about creating space for stillness, presence, and self-connection.

Here are a few types of rest that are often overlooked:

Mental rest: Giving your brain a break from decisions, noise, and constant stimulation. Think: silence, meditation, or simply staring out the window without your phone.

Emotional rest: Not pretending to be okay. Letting yourself feel what you feel. Saying “no” when you need to. Crying if you have to.

Sensory rest: Turning off notifications. Dimming the lights. Putting your phone down. Spending time away from screens.

Creative rest: Giving yourself permission to do nothing “productive.” Letting ideas come in their own time. Trusting the pause.


We often think rest is one-size-fits-all. But real rest is personal. It’s about noticing what kind of tired you are—and giving yourself what you truly need.


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Relearning Rest: A Personal Practice

Here’s how I slowly relearned the art of rest. Maybe it will help you too.

1. I stopped glorifying busy. Being busy doesn’t always mean being effective. I started asking myself: Is this meaningful, or just noise?


2. I created “white space” in my day. Not every hour needs to be scheduled. Even 15 minutes of unscheduled time can give your mind room to breathe.


3. I gave myself permission to rest without earning it. This was the hardest part. But I started reminding myself: I don’t have to “do” to be worthy of rest.


4. I started romanticizing slowness. A slow walk. Making tea without multitasking. Sitting outside just to feel the wind. These moments are tiny acts of self-respect.




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Rest Is Resistance

In a society that tells you to keep grinding, rest becomes an act of rebellion. It's a way of saying, "I matter, even when I’m not producing. My worth isn’t tied to output."

Rest reconnects us to what truly matters. It gives us space to hear our own thoughts, feel our feelings, and return to the world more grounded and whole.


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You Don't Need to Earn It

If you're tired, you don't need a reason.

You don’t have to justify your exhaustion or prove how hard you’ve worked to deserve rest. You are allowed to slow down. You are allowed to disconnect. You are allowed to simply… be.

Relearning rest isn’t a one-time fix. It’s a practice—a daily, intentional choice to honor your limits and nurture your well-being.

And sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do for your future self… is rest today.


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Suggested Cover Photo: A peaceful, cozy setting—someone curled up in a soft blanket with a book and tea, gentle light filtering through a window. The vibe should feel warm, calm, and inviting.