The world can feel like a pressure cooker; every turn is like a new challenge or obstacle, each one obstructing your path to peace. Many of us carry the heavy responsibility of emotional and spiritual labor: breaking generational trauma, healing wounds, and striving not only to survive, but to thrive. In a world that can feel unforgiving for merely existing, we must take a moment to remember a few things.
We push forward, telling ourselves we’re strong. “If we weren’t strong enough to handle it, we wouldn’t be given these challenges.” But the truth is, many of us don’t always want to be strong. Sometimes, we want to let go of carrying everything and give up, or, more naturally to give ourselves a break.
Rest is not weakness. Wanting to give up is not weakness. It is being human.
The need to rest is a signal: you’ve been exerting yourself. It is time to put down your load and take a moment to rest, or ask for help, lean into a community for support, or create that community of support.
Even warriors need rest; otherwise, how would they be able to be the best if not for rest?
Existence is an exercise, an act alone, so rest, reset, and start again, and know that even you, the strongest of warriors, need rest.
As the adage goes, you can’t pour from an empty cup. If you have responsibilities: family, work, relationships, children -you’ll need rest in order to show up for everyone. But most of all, to show up for yourself.
You, above anyone else, are deserving of a moment to put down your armor, your shield, and your sword; just because you carry it so well doesn’t mean it is not heavy.