What I’m Unlearning

That rest has to be earned

You know that old adage that goes something like, “There’s nothing like a … after a hard day’s work.” 

There’s nothing like a cool drink…

There’s nothing like a hot meal…

There’s nothing like some rest and relaxation…

And while most of us can understand that deeply satisfying feeling of getting a break after putting in a ton of effort at something, there’s a question swirling around that adage that pokes at me.

Do we need to earn our rest? Is the ONLY time it feels satisfying to come after you’ve ‘earned’ it by being productive? 

Sometimes, we’re just tired. 

‘Rest has to be earned’ is a maxim I am definitely trying to unlearn. I say ‘trying’ because that old philosophy has been deeply instilled in me, by my hardworking parents who stressed ‘putting in the time’ = success (They weren’t totally wrong), pop culture, people I worked with or just society as a whole.

The calls from personal development gurus and scientific study underscore the importance of  mindfulness, slowing down, being in the present, releasing stress and finding balance. Then why do I still feel guilty or lazy when I need to take a nap because no amount of coffee is going to lightning bolt my brain hard enough to finish my work?

So. For now, my Unlearning currently relies on me remembering and telling myself these things:

The dishes will still be there after my nap. 

The project I’m working on will still be there after my nap. 

The grocery store is open for 4 more hours after my nap. 

But whether or not I’ve ‘earned’ it yet - my brain and body need to rest. So I’m taking that nap. 

Accepting rest can be difficult. If you need some help getting started, we recommend checking this book out:

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