For a long time, I worked until I was exhausted. I thought I had to finish every task, meet every expectation, and handle every responsibility before I could allow myself to pause.
It is a mindset I often hear from colleagues and friends: the belief that rest should be earned.
I worked until I burned out. I kept pushing until my responsibilities were handled, often leaving myself physically and mentally drained. But the work never truly ends. There is always another task, another request, or another reason to keep going. Our energy, however, is not unlimited.
At some point, I realized I was no longer simply committed to my work. I was allowing labor; anything that involved thinking, planning, organizing, and executing tasks and strategies to give my life meaning.
When what you do becomes who you are, it becomes difficult to recognize when you need to stop.
But our value is not found in our productivity. Our worth is not measured by how available we are. Our purpose is greater than our performance.
Rest reminds us of that.
⭐ Rest is not laziness.
⭐ Rest is not falling behind.
⭐ Rest is not something we should reserve for vacations or burnout.
Rest is an act of trust. It reminds us that the world will keep turning even when we step away.
For those of us who spend our lives caring for others, this can be one of the hardest lessons to learn.
I was not only overworking in my day job. I was also overextending myself in my relationships, taking on too much responsibility for the well-being of family, friends, and loved ones.
There is beauty in serving others, but we cannot keep giving without making room for our own restoration.
We deserve time away from the demands of giving so we can replenish ourselves—not because we have failed or are weak, but because restoration is part of the assignment.
In my previous reflection, Being True to Yourself, I wrote about honoring our limits and making intentional choices. Rest is one of the ways we put those choices into practice.
A healthy workday has both a beginning and an end—not because there is nothing left to do, but because there is more to life than what we produce.
A Moment to Reflect
What might change if you created a clearer boundary around when your workday begins and ends?
Would you read, take a walk, pray, exercise, share a meal with family, or call a friend?
Whatever comes to mind, do not see it as a reward for working harder. See it as part of caring for the life you have been entrusted with.
You are more than your title, your to-do list, and your output.
You were created to live a full life, not simply a busy one.
Sometimes, the most productive thing you can do is rest.
Last month was a reminder of why faith and rest go hand in hand. Take a look at how I spent a portion of my sabbatical from work on Instagram: @therestdoctor.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this reflection. Reach me at lifecoach@gmail.com.
If you are called to receive support,
guidance, or faith-centered counsel,
reach out to me here!
With thanks,
Asha Tarry, CLC…