A Few Notes on Rest
While 2023 was a year that offered so much, personally, it felt like I was on a hamster wheel for the most part just going and going and…going. Therfore, it was no surprise when a dear friend asked me, “What is your word/phrase for 2024?”, I blurted - “To smell the roses more often literally and figuratively.”
In making an effort to lean into that or maybe questioning what that looks like for me, I intentionally held off on reading the book, Rest is Restistance by Tricia Hersey, till the end of 2023-start of 2024. While reading the book, a posed question, “How can we access pleasure, joy, and liberation if we are too tired to experience it?” really got me thinking about how [it seems] everyone is on a perpetual quest for success, productivity, and achievement (thank you Instagram!).
But…
In this pursuit, we often overlook a fundamental aspect of our well-being – rest. Yes, that elusive concept that is often treated like a luxury, an idea that is radical rather than a necessity.
But…
Doing nothing is an art.
It is about allowing self the time and space to just be, without the pressure of productivity or achievement. Whether it is lying on the grass, staring at the clouds, or sipping tea on your porch, these moments of stillness are needed. If I were to bring science into this (tons of research are out there), adequate rest has been linked to improved cognitive function, enhanced creativity, and even a stronger immune system. So I ask, why do we treat it like an optional extra thing to do?
I will leave the question above for furthering pondering as you scroll through the gallery below on some notes I have come across about rest.
I hope these notes evoke some thoughts/realizations about how you have been resting or on how you plan on resting in 2024.
As you race into 2024, keep in mind rest is a non-negotiable for all of you to fully show up for yourself, your passions/goals, your family, your community and work.
Remember:
Rest is very subjectively defined.
YOU are worthy of rest.
Love,
Move,
Hold,
and Rest your body.
To all your restful moments in 2024,
Mairo
(Blog entry photo credit: cottonbro studio)
