*Tentatively raises hand* Let me see 'em, y’all. How many of y’all have felt guilty for resting—in any sort of way? You’d think rest would be easy, right? Noooooooo. At least not for me.
I am constantly on the go—whether it’s my body, brain, or both. Or at least that’s how it feels. When I try to take a "chill" day, it’s hard to actually let my body relax, because my brain insists I should be doing something. All. The. Time. It can wear me out mentally and that is so not fun.
I know it’s not supposed to be like that. I want to feel that peace others talk about, and I want to rest without guilt gnawing at me. This month, I’m focusing on rest—real, intentional rest—because it’s vital. Especially for those of us with ADHD or mental health struggles. We need it to survive in this wild world.
You don’t need to earn rest. If you try, your body will eventually decide for you—and usually not at a time that’s convenient. Ask me how I know.
Fuck the Hustle
There is so much toxic productivity out there. I only noticed it in digital marketing circles (which is where my journey started). Hustle culture says, "Grind now, rest later." But for some of us, if we don’t rest before we get there—wherever there is—we’ll burn out. And then it all falls apart.
I used to think burnout meant I failed. "Other people can do this—why can’t I?" I’ve been working hard to break that thought loop. Because I’m not them. I’m me. And I have to protect my mental health. And my timeline will be different than everyone else's.
If I don’t manage that, how can I show up for anyone else—hell, how can I even show up for myself?
I know some of you won’t rest until your entire to-do list is done. I used to be that way, too. Spoiler alert: the list never ends.
I’d end up exhausted, emotional, confused, and completely ungrounded. That was my reality for about 8–9 years. It took a major life shift for me to start looking at things differently.
If someone in your life says you’re lazy or makes you feel guilty for resting, you have every right to tell them (nicely or not) to shut the fuck up. And maybe reconsider how much access they have to your life. We’re not here for that noise. Definitely one thing I’ve learned on my journey.
Rest isn’t weakness. It’s wisdom.
You’re Not Lazy, You’re Burnt Out
If no one else has told you this, let me: You’re not lazy. You’re burnt out.
Modern life is overwhelming—even for neurotypical folks. But for those of us who are neurodivergent? The mental load is multiplied.
We’re trying to be good parents, partners, employees, friends, housekeepers, errand runners—and somehow also human beings. It’s a lot.
Burnout doesn’t always look like lying in bed for days. Sometimes it looks like irritability, brain fog, or snapping at someone for no reason. Sometimes it looks like procrastination or forgetting simple tasks.
You’re not lazy. You’re human. And tired.
If you’re interested in how our culture confuses laziness with burnout, I recommend reading “The Myth of Laziness” by Fierza Yamuiz. It gave me language for things I couldn’t explain before. (Yamuiz, 2025)
10 Ways to Rest (Without Sleeping)
Rest doesn’t always mean sleeping. Here are 10 ways to give your brain and body the break it’s begging for:
Choose one. Try it. Let your nervous system exhale.
Rest Is Productive
The biggest shift I’ve had to make is this: Rest is productive.
I used to think that if I wasn’t grinding 24/7, I wasn’t trying hard enough. But guess what? I got more done—and did it better—when I stopped glorifying exhaustion.
When I started my SEO certification, I didn’t rush. I didn’t beat myself up for moving slowly. I gave myself permission to learn instead of perform.
On days when my brain said, “Nope, not today,” I rescheduled. I didn’t guilt trip myself for it. (Okay, maybe I started to. But I caught it.)
Rest doesn’t derail your progress—it supports it.
Shift Your Mindset (Even If It’s Hard)
This is where the real work starts. And I won’t lie—it’s ongoing.
I still catch myself slipping into old habits. When I think, "I should be doing something," I try to shut that thought down. Not because I don’t care. But because I care too much—about being whole, healthy, and mentally present.
Rest doesn’t mean you don’t want to reach your goals. It means you want to reach them without losing yourself.
If you’ve been beating yourself up for being tired, I want you to stop. You’re doing your best in a world that wasn’t built with your brain in mind.
Let’s normalize resting before we’re forced to. Let’s normalize taking breaks even when the to-do list isn’t done. Because it never truly is.
Final Thoughts: Rest Is a Form of Resistance
Rest is vital, y’all. It’s not extra. It’s not indulgent. It’s not optional.
We can’t pour from an empty cup, and we sure as hell can’t thrive on fumes.
We’ve all got room to grow—and growth doesn’t just come from pushing. It comes from pausing. From breathing. From resting.
So go do something restful for your mind, body, and soul today. Take a walk. Stare at the clouds. Put on music and let your mind drift. Whatever works for you—do that.
"Rest isn’t quitting. It’s healing. And healing is how we keep going."
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