I love this piece @Salwa 🇬🇧 , as I find much of what you write about intelligent and up my alley as it were and certainly needed in our hustle and bustle times we reside in.
I've heardtell that resting can be a form of mental resistance, as you imply, which makes a lot of sense given where I reside. The history of rest in my country of origin is well worth researching in my professional opinion.
For me, I take about 365 catnaps a year. Part of my personal wellbeing equation and tied to my rebellious nature I suppose. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much! That means a lot and I completely agree…rest as a form of resistance is such a powerful concept, especially in cultures that glorify overwork. The history of rest and its connection to power, productivity, and well-being is definitely worth exploring. And I love that you take 365 catnaps a year—sounds like the perfect act of rebellion! Here’s to more rest, more resistance, and more reclaiming our time. 😄✨
I loved reading this, Salwa. You're right, no one tells you rest feels like a rebellion. Enough with seeking permission to pause. Here's to taking naps without guilt!
I love this! You’re a talented writer and I love the way you express this.
There’s an incredible book called “Laziness Does Not Exist” that touches on this subject in a really important way. I highly recommend.
I was always good at resting, until I quit working, and then realized I felt like I had always mentally “earned” rest when I worked. Now that I don’t work, I feel guilty taking rest. But I think you touch on this beautifully. It is and act of rebellion in our culture. It is an act of beauty. I must try this. Thank you for your wisdom and words.
Thank you so much, Ginette! That book has been on my radar—I’ll have to check it out. And I hear you on that shift in mindset. It’s wild how we’re conditioned to earn rest, as if just existing isn’t enough reason to pause. But rest isn’t a reward, it’s a necessity. Hope you give yourself that space without guilt. You deserve it. ❤️
As a lifelong napper, I fully subscribe to this philosophy. My husband is a Winston Churchill fan - who also swore by naps. He took a 2-hour nap every day at 5 p.m. – after a whiskey and soda. He claimed that his nap allowed him to get a day and a half's work done in each 24-hour period. I believe it.
Love this! Churchill was definitely onto something. A well-timed nap can do wonders—not just for energy but for clarity too. And hey, if it worked for him (whiskey and all), I’d say that’s solid proof naps are a power move. 😆 Cheers to lifelong napping! 💤✨
Ahh, thank you! ❤️ Burnout is brutal, and I’m so glad this found you when you needed it. Give yourself permission to rest—you deserve it. Sending you so much love! ✨
Thank you! 😊 Ahh, the nap grogginess struggle is real! I find shorter naps (like 20–30 minutes) help me avoid that foggy feeling. But if I really need rest, I let myself sleep longer and just give my body what it needs. I don’t always set a timer, but when I do, I aim for either a power nap or a full sleep cycle (around 90 minutes) so I don’t wake up feeling worse. That said—sometimes, you just need the deep nap, grogginess and all! 😆
I’ve reached to a burnout point because I was hustling too hard. And this is what inspired me to write my recent post - “I don’t have to” mindset 💕 after recognizing the early signs of burnout, I now know when to take a break and stop feeling guilty to enjoy the break I earn
Yes! That shift in mindset is everything. “I don’t have to” is such a powerful reminder that we’re not machines...we deserve to pause without guilt. Glad you’re recognising the signs early and giving yourself the breaks you need. 💕✨ Going to check out your post!
Thank you! We are not meant to be optimistic 24/7, it takes effort to stay calm, and we need to remember not to forget that everything is a life journey, let’s all simply enjoy the process (good and bad) 🥰
Love! I grew up with a father who is relentlessly busy and would actively call me out (or lazy) on ever taking any sort of break, and it became ingrained in my that rest was somehow bad.
What they don't tell you is that by the time you really do take a break, it's too late, you're exhausted and then you need a LONG break just to be functional.
There is so much resistance to rest, it certainly feels rebellious these days! I still have to counsel myself to taking a break. Wonderful post Salwa!
Oh, I so hear you on this. That ingrained belief that rest = laziness is so hard to unlearn. And you’re right....by the time we finally let ourselves rest, we’re already running on empty. It really shouldn’t take total exhaustion to justify a pause. Keep counseling yourself through it—rest is not just necessary, it’s deserved. ❤️✨ And thank you for your kind words!
Thank you! ❤️ Hustle culture really does take a toll, and we shouldn’t need permission to rest—but sometimes, we do need the reminder. So here it is: rest without guilt, take the nap, and take care of you. ✨
Yes! Our bodies always know before we do. Instead of pushing through, we need to listen—because when it’s begging for rest, it’s not asking, it’s pleading. 💛
Oh, I get this. That guilt can be loud. What helps me is reminding myself that rest isn’t a luxury—it’s a need. I reframe it: Would I feel guilty for drinking water when I’m thirsty? For sleeping at night? Rest is just as essential. Sometimes, I literally tell myself: Resting is productive too. It takes practice, but the more you push back against the guilt, the quieter it gets. 💛
Rest is certainly a necessary element to the day and looks different for us all. My husband exhorts me to take naps, but a nap for me is full-on sleep (I need the room to have minimal lighting, a bed, and uninterrupted time ... like two hours at least) because this 15-minute recharge business is just enough time for me to get the covers right. So, my rest is when I'm not working, when I'm thinking or reading or writing. It's going to bed early. It's sitting in a ray of sun. Or, as it is these days, sitting and watching the snow fall ...
Yes! Rest isn’t one-size-fits-all. It doesn’t have to be a nap—sometimes it’s just a quiet moment, a deep breath, or letting yourself be without doing. I love how you’ve found what works for you, whether it’s early nights, reading, or just watching the snow fall. That’s rest, too. 💛✨
I started "slowing down" before winter. My intention was to use the dark stillness of winter to my benefit- to rest and heal....I have to admit it was hard at first...to be still when I could be doing numerous other things. Now I embrace it....sit quietly....breathing... dreaming...being
That sounds beautiful. Winter has this way of inviting us to slow down, but actually embracing it takes intention. I love that you’ve leaned into the stillness, even when it felt hard at first. Sometimes, the not doing is the real work. Keep breathing, dreaming, being. 💛
I love this piece @Salwa 🇬🇧 , as I find much of what you write about intelligent and up my alley as it were and certainly needed in our hustle and bustle times we reside in.
I've heardtell that resting can be a form of mental resistance, as you imply, which makes a lot of sense given where I reside. The history of rest in my country of origin is well worth researching in my professional opinion.
For me, I take about 365 catnaps a year. Part of my personal wellbeing equation and tied to my rebellious nature I suppose. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much! That means a lot and I completely agree…rest as a form of resistance is such a powerful concept, especially in cultures that glorify overwork. The history of rest and its connection to power, productivity, and well-being is definitely worth exploring. And I love that you take 365 catnaps a year—sounds like the perfect act of rebellion! Here’s to more rest, more resistance, and more reclaiming our time. 😄✨
I loved reading this, Salwa. You're right, no one tells you rest feels like a rebellion. Enough with seeking permission to pause. Here's to taking naps without guilt!
Yes! Rest shouldn’t feel like something we have to earn. Here’s to unapologetic naps and guilt-free pauses. Glad this resonated with you! 😊
I love this! You’re a talented writer and I love the way you express this.
There’s an incredible book called “Laziness Does Not Exist” that touches on this subject in a really important way. I highly recommend.
I was always good at resting, until I quit working, and then realized I felt like I had always mentally “earned” rest when I worked. Now that I don’t work, I feel guilty taking rest. But I think you touch on this beautifully. It is and act of rebellion in our culture. It is an act of beauty. I must try this. Thank you for your wisdom and words.
Thank you so much, Ginette! That book has been on my radar—I’ll have to check it out. And I hear you on that shift in mindset. It’s wild how we’re conditioned to earn rest, as if just existing isn’t enough reason to pause. But rest isn’t a reward, it’s a necessity. Hope you give yourself that space without guilt. You deserve it. ❤️
I love taking naps!
Me too!
As a lifelong napper, I fully subscribe to this philosophy. My husband is a Winston Churchill fan - who also swore by naps. He took a 2-hour nap every day at 5 p.m. – after a whiskey and soda. He claimed that his nap allowed him to get a day and a half's work done in each 24-hour period. I believe it.
Love this! Churchill was definitely onto something. A well-timed nap can do wonders—not just for energy but for clarity too. And hey, if it worked for him (whiskey and all), I’d say that’s solid proof naps are a power move. 😆 Cheers to lifelong napping! 💤✨
real shit
Thank you for reading!
duh
Wow!!
You have a gift girl!!
I’m going through burn out right now!!
I so needed this!!
Ahh, thank you! ❤️ Burnout is brutal, and I’m so glad this found you when you needed it. Give yourself permission to rest—you deserve it. Sending you so much love! ✨
Very intelligent piece Salwa! How do you deal with the grogginess feeling that sometimes comes with a nap?
When I nap I also nap hard as in >2 hours and can worry this will impact my day on a broader scale. Do you set timers for your naps?
Thank you! 😊 Ahh, the nap grogginess struggle is real! I find shorter naps (like 20–30 minutes) help me avoid that foggy feeling. But if I really need rest, I let myself sleep longer and just give my body what it needs. I don’t always set a timer, but when I do, I aim for either a power nap or a full sleep cycle (around 90 minutes) so I don’t wake up feeling worse. That said—sometimes, you just need the deep nap, grogginess and all! 😆
Have a cup of coffee, then take your 20 min nap. The coffee kicks in right as the nap is ending. I have a friend that swears by this tactic. 😉
This is interesting Ginette. Will give this a try!
Interesting!! I’m on the tea not coffee wave but will have to give this a go! Thanks for the tip.
I’ve reached to a burnout point because I was hustling too hard. And this is what inspired me to write my recent post - “I don’t have to” mindset 💕 after recognizing the early signs of burnout, I now know when to take a break and stop feeling guilty to enjoy the break I earn
Yes! That shift in mindset is everything. “I don’t have to” is such a powerful reminder that we’re not machines...we deserve to pause without guilt. Glad you’re recognising the signs early and giving yourself the breaks you need. 💕✨ Going to check out your post!
Thank you! We are not meant to be optimistic 24/7, it takes effort to stay calm, and we need to remember not to forget that everything is a life journey, let’s all simply enjoy the process (good and bad) 🥰
Exactly this Kessie, thanks for sharing!
Love! I grew up with a father who is relentlessly busy and would actively call me out (or lazy) on ever taking any sort of break, and it became ingrained in my that rest was somehow bad.
What they don't tell you is that by the time you really do take a break, it's too late, you're exhausted and then you need a LONG break just to be functional.
There is so much resistance to rest, it certainly feels rebellious these days! I still have to counsel myself to taking a break. Wonderful post Salwa!
Oh, I so hear you on this. That ingrained belief that rest = laziness is so hard to unlearn. And you’re right....by the time we finally let ourselves rest, we’re already running on empty. It really shouldn’t take total exhaustion to justify a pause. Keep counseling yourself through it—rest is not just necessary, it’s deserved. ❤️✨ And thank you for your kind words!
Spot on! Hustle culture is so dangerous. Love this article and the permission you give the reader to rest, take a nap, and take care of yourself!
Thank you! ❤️ Hustle culture really does take a toll, and we shouldn’t need permission to rest—but sometimes, we do need the reminder. So here it is: rest without guilt, take the nap, and take care of you. ✨
We should ask our body to see what it says. It may say, "please rest, I am burnt out"
Yes! Our bodies always know before we do. Instead of pushing through, we need to listen—because when it’s begging for rest, it’s not asking, it’s pleading. 💛
Spot on. I feel guilty when I rest, for the reasons well described in the article. How do you overcome this intrusive sense of guilt?
Oh, I get this. That guilt can be loud. What helps me is reminding myself that rest isn’t a luxury—it’s a need. I reframe it: Would I feel guilty for drinking water when I’m thirsty? For sleeping at night? Rest is just as essential. Sometimes, I literally tell myself: Resting is productive too. It takes practice, but the more you push back against the guilt, the quieter it gets. 💛
Words of wisdom... thank you.
Thank you Nancy
Rest is certainly a necessary element to the day and looks different for us all. My husband exhorts me to take naps, but a nap for me is full-on sleep (I need the room to have minimal lighting, a bed, and uninterrupted time ... like two hours at least) because this 15-minute recharge business is just enough time for me to get the covers right. So, my rest is when I'm not working, when I'm thinking or reading or writing. It's going to bed early. It's sitting in a ray of sun. Or, as it is these days, sitting and watching the snow fall ...
Yes! Rest isn’t one-size-fits-all. It doesn’t have to be a nap—sometimes it’s just a quiet moment, a deep breath, or letting yourself be without doing. I love how you’ve found what works for you, whether it’s early nights, reading, or just watching the snow fall. That’s rest, too. 💛✨
Thank you Salwa 😊
I started "slowing down" before winter. My intention was to use the dark stillness of winter to my benefit- to rest and heal....I have to admit it was hard at first...to be still when I could be doing numerous other things. Now I embrace it....sit quietly....breathing... dreaming...being
That sounds beautiful. Winter has this way of inviting us to slow down, but actually embracing it takes intention. I love that you’ve leaned into the stillness, even when it felt hard at first. Sometimes, the not doing is the real work. Keep breathing, dreaming, being. 💛