The Power of Rest: Why Doing Less Can Help You Grow

In a culture that glorifies busyness, rest is often seen as lazy, indulgent, or even unproductive. Many women feel guilty the moment they slow down, take a break, or say no to another commitment. But the truth is that rest is essential for growth, clarity, and transformation—both personally and professionally.

If you’ve been running on empty, constantly trying to keep everyone else happy, it’s time to rethink your relationship with rest. Doing less isn’t a failure; it’s a powerful act of self-care and self-respect.

It wasn't until My near-death experience in 2023, that I finally allowed Myself to rest without guilt. After years of ripping and running to meet not only My goals, but the needs of all whom ask Me to meet them, I felt so guilty at first when I couldn't get up to help others. I felt guilt for what I couldn't do for others before I even worried about what I couldn't do for Myself. I was deep into feeling like I let others down before I realized that for the first time, in a long time, I was putting Myself first.

Why Rest Matters

Rest allows your mind, body, and spirit to recharge. When we constantly push ourselves, we risk burnout, decision fatigue, and a loss of clarity. Rest gives you space to:

• Regain energy and focus: Your productivity improves when your mind and body are fully restored.

• Process experiences: Your brain consolidates learning and reflects on insights while you’re at ease.

• Boost creativity and intuition: Rest opens space for new ideas and solutions.

• Strengthen self-awareness: Stillness allows you to check in with your true desires, boundaries, and priorities.

Rest isn’t doing nothing; it’s doing what restores you so you can show up fully in the areas of life that matter most.

How to Rest Without Guilt

Many women feel they “should” be doing more, but small intentional shifts can make rest feel productive and guilt-free:

1. Schedule rest intentionally. Treat your rest like an appointment. Block off time on your calendar for reading, journaling, walking, or simply sitting in silence. Protect this time like any other commitment.

2. Set boundaries around your rest. Turn off notifications, communicate to others that you’re unavailable, and give yourself permission to prioritize downtime.

3. Micro-rests count. Even a few minutes of deep breathing, stretching, or mindful reflection throughout the day can reset your energy and reduce overwhelm.

4. Reflect on progress before resting. Take a moment to acknowledge what you accomplished. Journaling can help you see that rest doesn’t mean failure—it’s part of the process.

5. Reframe rest as part of the work. Shifting your mindset from “I’m doing nothing” to “I’m preparing myself to show up fully” changes how you experience downtime.

   
   

The Impact of Rest on Growth

Allowing yourself to rest doesn’t just benefit your health—it strengthens your decision-making, improves your relationships, and deepens your self-awareness. Women who prioritize rest report feeling more confident in boundaries, clearer about priorities, and more capable of pursuing goals without sacrificing peace or energy.

It’s important to remember that rest is not optional if you want sustainable growth. Without it, we burn out, make poor decisions, and lose connection with ourselves. With it, we regain clarity, energy, and confidence.

My self-compassion workbook in the digital store here, includes guided exercises to help you honor your energy and integrate rest into your daily life. For women seeking structured support, my 5-week program Rediscover the You Within teaches strategies for reclaiming your energy, building boundaries, and showing up fully in life without guilt. Click here to join or learn more today.