Take 30 seconds to pause: Your invitation to slow down​
Take a deep breath and ask yourself... What if rest was your greatest source of power?

Now exhale slowly and let's explore this together.

Hey there,

It’s full-on winter here in the Northeast US. Bitter cold temps and recent snows leave no doubt - winter isn't coming...it has arrived. This is the time when Mother Nature slows down, tucks herself in under a blanket of snow, and rests.

But what about us?

When was the last time you truly rested without a trace of guilt? Not half-watching Netflix while scrolling Instagram. (Trust me, I’ve been there.) I mean the kind of rest where you simply pause, breathe, and let yourself just be.

The other day, I was chatting with friends here about “guilty pleasures,” and one of them asked, "Why feel guilty about something that brings you pleasure?" Then they added a thought that stuck with me: "Maybe there's something I'm avoiding because I'd feel guilty about it." It made me wonder how often we treat rest as something indulgent or even selfish...something to feel guilty about.

I’ll admit, for the longest time, I was that person. Anytime I tried to relax, that little voice would chime in: “You’re being lazy.” “You’re falling behind.” Sound familiar?

But here’s what I’ve learned over the years (and maybe it’s what you need to hear today): Rest isn’t lazy. Rest isn’t indulgent. Rest is essential.

When we truly rest - not sleep, but pause to play, to daydream, to breathe - it’s like hitting the refresh button on our creativity and clarity. Science backs this up, too. When we rest, our brain’s “default mode network” kicks in. That’s where magic happens—solving problems, processing emotions, sparking ideas. You know those “aha” moments in the shower or during a walk? That’s the magic happening!

The world may celebrate busyness, but let me remind you (and me!): Rest isn’t weakness. It’s strength.

When I posted on LinkedIn about rest being a guilty pleasure, a friend shared this thought: "When I think about the Chinese character for "busy" (忙 - máng), it really hits home how much constant activity can take a toll on us. The character is made up of "heart" (心 - xīn) and "to die" (亡 - wáng), which suggests that being too busy can actually drain our life force, like it's wearing down our heart. It's a powerful reminder that rest is so important. Without rest, we risk losing the very vitality that lets us truly experience life and connect with others."

Isn't that a beautiful way to think about it?

So here’s my gentle nudge this week:

Can you give yourself just 5 (or more!) guilt-free restful minutes each day this week? No phone, no distractions. Just you and stillness. Put it on your calendar and honor that time with yourself each day this week.

Before you go, take one more deep breath with me and ask yourself:

What stories am I telling myself about rest? What's one small way I can embrace rest today?

If this topic of rest feels big or sparks something in you, I’d love to explore it with you. Send me an email or book a 20-minute connection chat, I’m here to help you find your path to rest, clarity, and connection. Let’s uncover what’s possible when you make space for stillness. I'm here whenever you are ready to chat.

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Okay, ready to promise yourself that you'll spend time resting this week?

Because you deserve this. Really.