Let's Talk About Rest

Earlier this week, I suggested to a colleague that they take time to rest while their kids were at school and their spouse was at work. The advice came naturally—honest and well-meaning. But afterward, something didn’t sit quite right.

It stayed with me—not because anyone brought it up again, but because I couldn’t stop turning it over.

Was that okay to say? Especially at work—to a colleague? Resting on a workday?

I care deeply about people taking care of themselves, so why did my mind keep coming back to it?

Defining Rest

It’s not sleep. It’s not a day off. It’s not about checking out.

Rest is internal. Reflective. A psychological pause that reconnects us to the living, breathing world around us.

Sometimes it’s sitting outside with someone you love. Sometimes it’s repurposing a red light—not to focus on the waiting, but as a chance to breathe.

What Makes Rest Feel Off-Limits

We all work differently—and we all work hard.

Some roles are desk-bound, with a clear start and stop. Others—like my colleague’s—are more fluid, often stretching into nights and weekends. And for caregivers, the day doesn’t always end when the workday does.

So rest, much like our responsibilities, comes in all varieties. And still, the word rest can feel taboo—like it needs an apology.

“I’m sorry, I need to rest.” But why are we sorry?

Maybe it’s because rest implies you had space to pause. And in a world that celebrates nonstop motion, that can feel uncomfortable to name.

This Reflection Started There

Rest isn’t a finish line.

We’ve been taught to think of it as something we earn—once the checklist is done, the inbox is clear, the kids are asleep, and the project is wrapped.

But what if we began with rest? What if it wasn’t something we earned, but something we honored?

Not to optimize or produce more— but to simply be more whole as we move through the day.

What Rest Looks Like (for Me)

I’ve had seasons when rest didn’t come in hours—or even in full nights of sleep. It came in micro-moments.

Not glamorous. Not scheduled. But intentional.

It looked like stepping outside to take a call—because research shows that even brief time outdoors can support our mental well-being. Driving with the windows down and the music off—because sometimes the mental checklist is loud enough. Waiting until the stars were out to take the trash out, just to enjoy the night sky.

To me, rest doesn’t mean you’ve stopped contributing. It simply means you’re honoring what you need while continuing to put one foot in front of the other. It can be small— but still powerful.

The Risk of Ignoring Rest

When we don’t rest, the world turns gray. Edges blur. Moments flatten. Routine becomes a loop instead of a rhythm.

We’re still functioning—but we lose the sound, the color, the texture.

Rest doesn’t just help us avoid burnout. It brings life back into focus.

It’s not a break from responsibility. It’s what allows us to carry it well.

Beginning with the Birds

A few weeks ago, I learned something new about nature that changed the way I begin each day: the dawn chorus.

About 30 minutes before sunrise, all the birds begin to sing—together, all at once. And here’s the gift: I was already up anyway. I just didn’t have the window open.

Now, I begin with the birds. I still make the coffee. I still pack the lunches. But now, I’m present in the moment—not just going through the motions.

It doesn’t require more time. Just more attention.

Everyday Ways to Begin

-Take a meeting outside

-Walk while you catch up with a colleague

-Reach for a book or scroll art instead of Instagram

-Sit in silence without grabbing your phone

-Leave your phone off the dinner table—any table

-Take a window seat at lunch

-Open the window and listen to the dawn chorus

These aren’t indulgences. They’re invitations.

So This Is What I’ve Come to Believe

Rest doesn’t belong at the finish line.

It belongs at the start of the journey—and all throughout. It allows you to experience the path for what it is, rather than only chasing the destination.

By embracing rest, you encourage others to do the same. Some people just need permission.

I’m not asking anyone to add a task or wake up earlier. I’m not suggesting the work disappears. I’m suggesting the work changes— not because the demands are different, but because you are.

Because rest allows you to show up differently. Sometimes it’s a few hours on a workday to step away long enough to come back whole. And sometimes, it’s as simple as opening the window.