I don’t know who needs to hear this, but you’re allowed to relax. Yes, even you. The one who just thought, but I have so much to do. Look, I get it: there’s always another task, another email, another human (or dog) demanding attention. If you stop, you may feel that things might fall apart. Or will they?
Here’s a radical thought: what if nothing explodes when you take a break? And if it does, you probably weren’t the one holding it together in the first place. Just saying this from my personal experience. And I will try to explain it further in the post.
The Guilt of Doing Nothing
Let’s talk about the invisible courtroom in your head. The one where your brain is both the judge (you should be working!) and the defense lawyer (but I’m tired!). Meanwhile, the prosecution, also known as society, your inner critic, and your ever-growing to-do list, is screaming that you are wasting time. I know you can recognize this story.
But let’s break that down. If you never take a break, what happens? You snap at people, you misplace your keys (again), your body starts sending passive-aggressive messages in the form of headaches, muscle tension, or that weird feeling that you’ve forgotten something important. Worst of all, your energy for the things and people you love runs on fumes. And you don't feel happy at any moment at that point.
When Life Reminds You the Hard Way
Sometimes, life doesn’t ask permission before forcing you to slow down. Like when you lose someone you love, because grief is its onw kind of exhaustion. It gives you a full-body shutdown, and that's why it gave me the idea for this post. Because no to-do list can outrun grief, like no thoughts seems to be able to run through your head.
Recently, I lost someone close and let me tell you, when you’re in that space, suddenly, the urgent things aren’t so urgent anymore. What matters are the people you love, the moments you create, and the space you allow yourself to just be.
And here’s the thing: you don’t have to wait for a tragedy to give yourself permission to rest, you can just give yourself the space to do it. And it's important to do so.
How to actually relax (without overthinking it)
If you’re like me, relaxing is harder than it sounds. If I sit down for too long, my brain starts inventing problems to solve (a brain is just made that way). So let’s make it easier. For me it is the first thing I plan in my daily schedule. A place for me to unwind, rest, relax and to start again afterwards. I noticed when I don't schedule it, my brain promptly sees another task that needs to be done. Your version of relaxing is your own, because not all rest look the same for any of us. Some choose meditation to relax and that's great. For me personally, I stare at waterfalls or water like they hold all the secrets of the universe. You just need to find what works for you.
And communicate about it to the people in your life. I'm of duty, or what I do: I repeat the text of my answering machine so that they know I'm going out or will be taking a nap. If they can survive without you for an hour, they can survive for two, I dare you to test this theory and you will be amazed. The hardest part of starting this is, is doing it guilt free. I can tell you one thing: rest is being productive. It gives you energy to do things properly, and give you the space to come up with new ideas afterwards. That's why the best ideas happen under the shower, because you are relaxing there as well.
No one wins the exhaustion Olympics
There is no prize for the most burnt out person of the year. No one’s handing out gold medals for answering the most emails while you slept two hours. I tried this, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. The price I got was getting seriously sick for years.
What people will remember of you, is how present and genuine you were and how you showed up with actual energy and how you made them feel. Being a half version of yourself is not good for your own feeling, and not for the people you love. And that's a hard thruth.
So take the break, take the nap and take the moment. The world will still be here when you get back. I promise! And you will have the ability to handle it with great grace afterwards.
Greeting from a resting mom on a daily basis
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Thank you 🤩 that means a lot to me
Yay !
it is sunny here too 🌞
I think it’s warmer there, it is still freezing here. But not complaining, we have sun and that took months
The power of winding down!!! For me, it's talking a walk along the water... And it mostly works wonders! (not always though, but you know that ;-) )
!STRIDE
!LOLZ
!WEIRD
!DOOK
!MMB
!INEEDSLEEP
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I told him that's the last thing I need.
Credit: reddit
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@nathalie-s, I sent you anYes I know, it is for me as well. But not when it’s freezing 😂😂
Freezing is just a state of mind! 😱😅
!LOLZ
!DOH
You can put your opinion where the sun doesn’t shine 😂 state of mind !WEIRD
Happy enjoy honey.❤️
I will, thank you 🙏
Love taking sometimes for myself to relax, it's really fun!
It sure is and you’re a good example for many of us
Seriously 😳😳
Yes you are and thanks for being you ❤️
Thank you! I appreciate 🙏🙏
I used to stree myself because I want everything to be perfect until I became sick and was asked to take a best rest for 3days.. ever since then I try hard to just give my best shot and relax
That is a good decision. It’s too bad people have to get sick (me as well) before getting to that point. Thanks for the sweet reply
Enjoy your symptom 🤣
Thank you 😉😂
I think I just need to hear this again. Am so stressed that I need to rest but am finding it difficult to do so. Thank you
I read your post, that is something horrible to deal with. Are you ok girl?
I need those steps in my life.I've been stressed too long.Fortunately I have the sun ... And this post has returned the perspective of what I can achieve.I need to breathe more than everything.Thanks for the motivation. ❤️🙏🏻🌻
You are very welcome and thanks for taking the time to read. Have a great day !HOPE !INDEED
Thanks to You 🙏🏻. Have a lovely day. Hugs of light!!!!🌻🎉
I think there are so many people in this world who are "workaholics" and do not give themselves time to relax enough. Are you a workaholic @nathalie-s ?
I was 😉 and I can really be truthful about it.
Indeed!
Excellent post!
Thanks!
Thanks for taking the time to read !INDEED
A pleasure!
Thanks!
Aside from when I'm sleeping, I'm trying to imagine simply resting and doing nothing. I know that I used to do it...lol! Seriously, it is important, and I do at least have mini versions. I'm glad that you're resting, and especially in the sun, Nathalie! 😁 🙏 💚 ✨ 🤙
!ALIVE
!BBH
!INDEED
!STRIDE
Yeah I find myself quite the girl. Sun and freezing but did it 💪
Haha...you are indeed that, Nathalie! Hehe...sounds like a far better combo than cloudy and cold! 😁 🙏 💚 ✨ 🤙
It really is 😉 beside of the cold weather, I want to move out Europe 😂
Hehehe....yep, I know. Are tropical islands calling your name? 😁 🙏 💚 ✨ 🤙
That would be fun, but just getting away here would be wonderful
Indeed, I understand. Where would you like to go? 😁 🙏 💚 ✨ 🤙
Wow. This is really so amazing. Oh yes I see you did a perfect write up on this and can see your point in one I gave some days ago. I totally agree with you as in point of knowing when to take a break and knowing it’s a must to take them at that time.
Perfect post really 🥰
Thank you so much for this
I do have the habit of reading and learning, here on hive as well. Thanks for the kind words !INDEED !HOPE
You are welcome 🙏 🥰