Does Resting Mean I'm Lazy?

I just got back from being away for Parker’s spring break. While I was gone I promised myself I would not work. I wanted to disconnect from all I normally do and be present so I could come back from vacation actually feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. 

I kept my promise to myself. I did not work at all. I even stayed off of social media. It was so freeing. 

We live in a world where we are so connected that we often forget what it’s like to disconnect. We are surrounded by distractions that keep us from being in the moment. Action and accomplishment are seen as better than rest, which is often considered lazy. 

Even though I know how important rest is for my body and my mind, I still find myself running away from it. I push myself every day to get one more thing done off of my never ending to do list. It took a vacation and a break from my daily routine to be reminded how important rest is. 

My break helped me to see that when I do take time for rest I am usually more productive and creative. I don’t get frustrated or angry at my family when they need or want something from me because I am not exhausted from all I try to do everyday. I am more patient, kind, and a better listener to those around me. 

Wayne Muller says, “There comes a moment in our striving when more effort actually becomes counterproductive, when our frantic busyness only muddies the waters of our wisdom and understanding. When we become still and allow our life to rest, we feel a renewal of energy and gradual clarity of perception.”

So the question becomes, how do we learn to become still and rest in our daily lives and not wait for a vacation or an illness to create it for us? 

I certainly don’t have all the answers. Even though I spend a lot of my time helping other people figure out how to create space in their lives for rest, it took a vacation to remind me that I am not creating this for myself. 

For each us, creating stillness and rest in our days will look different. For me, it is spending less time on social media, emails, and my phone in general. It is also putting limits on how long I am willing to work each day (which is hard when you have a small business). It also means spending more time outside; whether that is walking, or just sitting and reading a book. It also means paying attention to the signs my body is giving me and not pushing through to finish one more thing. 

Life never stops. There are always ways for us to be as busy as we want to be. But when we are able to slow down, be still, and rest, we can connect with the place where we feel deeply nourished. This is where we create space for the things that make us feel whole, connected, and balanced. As Gandhi said, “There is more to life than merely increasing its speed.” 

Are you able to find ways to rest without needing a vacation or an illness? I’d love to hear what works for you!