Part 3: Rest is a Strategy

A summer series on choosing meaning over momentum.

“Resting is a very important practice. We have to learn the art of resting, allowing our body and our mind to rest.”— Thich Nhat Hanh

It took me years to realize that rest isn’t what you do when the work is over. Rest is the work. It’s what gives the work meaning.

We live in a culture that rewards burnout and celebrates “going the extra mile” even when the tank is empty. And I’ve done it. Built onboarding programs while consulting and managing projects. Helped clients hit big milestones while wiring my own house, piece by piece.

But out here — in the woods, with the windows open and the tree frogs singing— I’ve learned something else:

You don’t rest after you’ve earned it. You rest because you’re alive. Because your energy isn’t infinite. Because real creation requires stillness.

I’ve come to think of rest not as an escape, but as a strategy.

It’s how I recalibrate. How I reconnect to what matters. How I remember who I am — and who I’m not.

And just like every part of my off-grid home is designed for energy efficiency, I’m learning to be just as intentional with mine.

Try This: Three Ways to Practice Rest as a Strategy

1. Audit your energy, not just your time. At the end of your day, don’t just ask “What did I get done?” Ask “What did it cost me?” and “What gave something back?” Write it down. Track it for three days. You'll start to see patterns — and that’s the first step to making different choices.

2. Design a 'recovery ritual' that resets you. This could be 15 minutes of reading before bed, a walk in the woods, or simply turning off your phone every night at 9 PM. Rest isn’t just about sleep — it’s about giving your mind a rhythm. Protect that space like it’s sacred (because it is).

3. Build in buffer space before decisions. Big decisions made under stress usually lead to more stress. Next time you’re asked for something urgent — pause. Even 5 minutes of stillness can give you clarity. Try this prompt: “If I were already rested, what would I choose?”

Bonus: Share your rest practice with a trusted friend or colleague and check in once a week. Accountability isn’t just for goals — it’s for healing, too.

Rest is how you reclaim yourself. It’s how you stay in tune with the part of you that doesn’t care about algorithms, promotions, or inbox zero. It’s how you protect the ember that makes you you.

So rest — not just because you’ve earned it. Rest because you’re building something real. And that takes a different kind of energy.

“A mind that is racing over worries cannot rest.” — Michael Singer