Rest when you are tired

“There is a pervasive form of modern violence to which the idealist…most easily succumbs: activism and overwork. The rush and pressure of modern life are a form, perhaps the most common form, of its innate violence. To allow oneself to be carried away by a multitude of conflicting concerns, to surrender to too many demands, to commit oneself to too many projects, to want to help everyone in everything is to succumb to violence.”                                                                                           Thomas Merton

When you were a kid, did you hate to take naps? Even when you were exhausted?

And now do you find yourself wishing for a nap and not having time?

Have you ever paid attention to how often you tell people you are “so busy” or “too busy”? It seems to me that many people are walking, driving, and talking tired.

This brings to question whether you even know what “tired” feels like? What happens when you sit down for a few minutes in the afternoon? Do you start to get sleepy? Do you feel guilty for not doing something “productive”?

Self-care actually is productive. Resting when you are tired allows for more personal insights, more creative thinking, and more compassion for self and others.

Embracing yourself with compassion when you are tired counters “the American Way” of work, work, and more work. Learning how to honor your need for rest can be a compassionate way to release you from old patterns of pushing yourself too hard and can allow you to re-connect with your passion or peace or sense of fun.

If you need help figuring out how to gain more balance or practice better self-care, reach out today! I am an advocate for self-care and can support you in identifying and developing lasting skills to help you improve your quality of life.