Redefining Rest

Ask me what I'm good at, and I'll say "lots of things". Ask me what I'm bad at, and I can only tell you two things: dating and resting.

(For real on the dating part) But I have to say the one thing I am horribly unsuccessful at is resting. I don't like it. Rest makes me uncomfortable. Stillness makes me uncomfortable. Naps? Don't know 'em.

Why is rest so uncomfortable? I want to cringe a little when someone tells me to take a break. Here's a thought: maybe there is something to learn in the rest. Maybe there is something to realize when it comes to sitting still and listening to nothing. Resting forces us to listen and tune into our needs. As a society, we are praised to go non-stop, have the longest list of accomplishments, or have the most involvement. So when we slow down, we break the norm, and we basically say f* you to society telling us we are not enough if we aren't doing enough.

But it's a distraction. Busyness distracts from diving deeper. When we are busy, we can avoid the emotions, avoid the feelings, avoid the social interactions and conversations that are uncomfortable.

There's another layer to this, a layer I know wayyy too well: comparison. If I slow down, and no one else does, everyone else is getting ahead while I am falling behind. I've been trying to shift that perspective lately and redefine rest.

What if slowing down was really a recharge to propel forward?

What if rest was a way of saying "I'm enough, simply because I am?"

What if taking a breath is a way to acknowledge our humanity?

These questions have me thinking that we (and maybe it is just "I") approach rest all wrong. Ouch. My ego doesn't like being wrong.

But

I'll get over it.

I want to foster a world that accepts rest, pursues being with family and friends, and listens to our body's needs. I know it starts internally; it starts with me, resting.

Simply, Sincerely,

Maddie