Rest - The Thing We Often Put Last
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Why slowing down isn't a luxury — it's part of looking after ourselves
There is something I have noticed about owning your own business: rest can very easily become the thing that gets pushed to the bottom of the list.
When you work for yourself, there is a wonderful sense of freedom. You can choose what you do, who you work with and where you want your business to go. But that freedom can also come with a feeling that you should always be doing something.
There is always another idea, another social media post, another client to connect with, another part of the business to develop. You want to keep moving forward, building your business and creating something meaningful.
So you keep going.
I know this from my own experience. I have my hands-on therapy work, my massage, my ideas around healing and perspective, and my desire to share what I have learnt through me helping me. There is always something I could be creating or developing.
Sometimes I find myself thinking, “I’ll rest when I’ve finished this.”
But the truth is, there is always something else waiting.
When does rest actually happen?
If we wait until everything is finished before we rest, we may never actually stop.
Rest isn't something we should only allow ourselves when we are exhausted. Our bodies and minds need time to recuperate, replenish and rejuvenate.
When we don't consciously create that space, we can remain in a constant state of doing, thinking, planning and responding. Eventually, overwhelm can creep in. We become tired but keep pushing, until sometimes exhaustion simply stops us in our tracks.
Rest isn't laziness
As a therapist and massage therapist, I spend much of my time encouraging people to become more conscious of themselves — their bodies, thoughts, emotions and reactions.
I talk about balance, slowing down and creating space to breathe.
And yet, I am human too.
I have to remind myself that I cannot continually give without allowing myself to receive.
Rest is part of that receiving.
It might be lying down for ten minutes, going for a walk, sitting quietly with a cup of tea, taking some deeper breaths, or simply doing something that brings you joy.
It is giving yourself permission to just be.
What happens when we stop?
When we stop seeing rest as wasted time, we create space.
Space for our thoughts to settle. Space to notice what our body is telling us. Space to reconnect with ourselves.
And sometimes, in that space, we find perspective.
The problem that felt overwhelming may suddenly feel more manageable. An idea may appear that wasn't there when our minds were racing. Or perhaps we simply realise how tired we actually were.
I am learning that looking after myself isn't separate from my work.
It is part of my work.
If I want to continue supporting clients, creating, developing my ideas and building my business, I need to have something left to give.
So perhaps today, instead of asking yourself:
“What else do I need to get done?”
Ask:
“What do I need to replenish me?”
You don't have to wait until you are exhausted.
You are allowed to rest now.
Because rest isn't a reward for everything you have achieved.
It is one of the things that allows you to keep going.
Breathe. Be still. Replenish.
Then begin again.
A gentle invitation
If you are feeling overwhelmed, exhausted or simply disconnected from yourself, you don't necessarily need to add another thing to your already busy list.
Perhaps you need to pause.
My work is about helping you reconnect with yourself — through hands-on therapy, talking therapy, EFT, myofascial release and A Journey Through Perspective.
Sometimes a different perspective, a moment of stillness or simply becoming more aware of what your body and mind are telling you can create the space you need.
If this resonates with you, I'd love to hear from you.
You can find out more about my work and the different ways we can work together on my website.
Give yourself permission to put you first.