Is Rest a Guilty Pleasure?
Are you afraid to ask for help? Does it feel scary, or like you are admitting to something shameful? Admitting that {*gasp*} you maybe can’t, or rather shouldn’t, be doing it all at all times? Why do we feel ashamed when we need help? Why have we allowed ourselves to be bullied into a state of exhaustion, overwhelm, and burnout? Bullied by a culture that cannot allow for repose without attaching the word lazy to it. Taunted and mocked for our bodies’ biological needs, not to mention desires.
How did “rest” come to be such a loaded word?
Why does it illicit sneers and a looking down one’s nose attitude towards those who dare to desire it? To embrace it? To take it for themselves?
I propose to you a challenge. And mark my words, it will likely feel challenging indeed. I propose that you begin to carve rest into your day. I use the word carve quite intentionally. For it will require a carving out of something else in order to allow for rest to fit in.
It will feel unnatural at first. It will feel selfish, greedy, shameful, lazy, slovenly even.
But give it time. Pursue this resting as you would any new habit. Pursue it with vigor and discipline. Rest. Each and every day. Soon, you will start to be able to recognize when your body is asking for it. You may even begin to respond to the request with more ease. You might find yourself feeling as though rest is essential {you’d be right} and that you are wholly and completely deserving of it whenever you feel the need {again, you’d be right}.
Does this sound tantalizing? Almost like a guilty pleasure that you can only fantasize about? Do you wish that you had someone to support you in this quest for rest? In the quest for a more easeful, joy-filled, and meaningful life?
You are the creator of your own reality.
You are the only person who knows what is best for you.
You are fully capable of healing yourself, of leading your own journey of personal growth, of creating the life you desire.
You are fully capable, but the journey can be long and lonely.
Sometimes it’s nice to walk the path in company for a time.
Wanting companionship, encouragement, and support is not a weakness.
Asking for help is the most courageous thing you can do.
And rest is oh so necessary.
I would be honoured to journey with you. Together, we can create a new reality in which rest is praised and we all are worthy of it.
Reach out if you’d like to chat about what this journey could look like for you, there is a link to book a free discovery call in the menu at the top of this page (work with me - all my offerings in one place) or send me an email at eileen@myluminouslife.ca
With Love,
Eileen
