Embracing Rest: A Journey Toward Inner Peace and Balance
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Chapter 1: The Challenge of Rest
Is the topic of rest more sensitive than we often acknowledge?
As spring arrives, I've been relishing the warmth of the sun and the longer days it brings. Recently, I took an unexpected break from writing my newsletter. With Ruby's birthday celebrations taking precedence, I found myself halfway through drafting an email before deciding to pause.
While content batching can be efficient, I find that writing in the moment resonates more with me. Each time I attempt to batch my content, I end up rewriting nearly everything, which prolongs the process. But I digress.
Reflecting on my journey, I have been gradually incorporating quieter moments into my life and expanding my tolerance for rest, which has been rewarding. This realization has led me to wonder how many others struggle with the concept of rest. How natural does it feel for you to rest?
Given the collective turmoil we've faced in recent years, many of us have experienced varying degrees of trauma, making the idea of resting feel like a luxury we can't afford. Interestingly, I've noticed that posts about rest have resulted in more unsubscribes than any other topic. Is this merely a coincidence, or does the subject make people uncomfortable?
Rest, akin to sleep, is supposed to be effortless, yet many of us have been conditioned to view it differently. Being perpetually busy often serves as a coping mechanism—an instinctive response to stress. However, this approach can be detrimental in the long run.
From my perspective, discussing and practicing rest has been challenging. Yet, in true fashion, I find myself drawn to the idea of mastering this uncomfortable aspect of life. Ironically, it took a chest infection for me to truly embrace the need for rest.
Taking Time to Slow Down
At times, when symptoms are merely nagging rather than overwhelming, I push through, which isn't ideal. This struggle partly stemmed from confusion about whether my discomfort was related to my chest or my digestive adjustments—I've been navigating a gluten-free, low FODMAP diet, which has been a long and imperfect journey.
While visiting my sister for a few days, I finally allowed my body to relax, and it became evident that my symptoms were indeed chest-related. I felt sore, fatigued, and my body exhibited signs of bloating and inflammation.
Observing myself during this period has been enlightening. As someone who thrives on routine, I often fall into the trap of believing I must adhere to specific practices to maintain balance. However, I've realized that many beneficial activities have lower-energy alternatives.
It's crucial to identify limiting beliefs about the necessity of struggle and the perception that time is scarce. In truth, it's often a lack of tolerance for space, time, and ease—common traits for those raised amidst chaos.
When Chaos Feels Like Home, Rest Feels Like an Attack
If you tend to feel anxious, you might find comfort in chaos and uncertainty, despite its discomfort. This dynamic can make stability and predictability feel painfully foreign. Have you ever experienced a period of joy only to revert to anxious thoughts when chaos reemerges? This reaction often stems from a familiar discomfort—your default state.
Recognizing these patterns with curiosity rather than judgment allows you to explore ways to increase your tolerance for joy and tranquility. For further insights, I recommend "The Big Leap" by Gay Hendricks.
What I'm Focusing On
Currently, I've simplified my life and routines to their core components—essentially decluttering. This allows me to rebuild without succumbing to the overwhelm of past experiences, enabling me to cultivate love, joy, and abundance.
How am I achieving this? By enhancing my body’s capacity to feel secure. I focused on allowing myself to feel rested and replenished, tuning into my physical sensations.
For three weeks, I refrained from any intense exercise, opting for gentle stretching and walking instead. I also avoided cold immersions and the pressures of social media engagement, leaning into a state of simply being.
This approach hasn’t been perfect. I initially struggled with sleep, which is tied to my upper limit problem. However, I have been actively working on resetting my circadian rhythm and feel I'm on the right track.
What began as performance goals at the year's start has shifted into a gentler approach, and I find myself embracing this change wholeheartedly. I am in the process of rebuilding my foundations, habits, and sense of security while addressing physical imbalances—an empowering experience.
Reflecting on your journey, how have your goals transformed since the year's outset? How might you introduce gentleness into your own changes?
Amanda Jayne O'Hare is a personal growth and health writer, mentor, and course creator at Amanda Jayne Thrives. You can subscribe to her newsletter here.
Chapter 2: Practical Tips for Embracing Rest
In the first video, "How can you delete large numbers of Emails quickly in 2021?" viewers will discover three effective strategies for managing their inboxes more efficiently, streamlining the process of decluttering emails.
The second video, "I Wrote a Song Using Only Hate Comments 2 (Madilyn Bailey)," showcases the creative process of transforming negativity into art, inspiring viewers to find beauty in unexpected places.