Rest Isn’t Quitting: Why Stepping Back Can Be the Most Productive Thing You Do
“Wait… how do you get anything done if you’re always talking about rest?”
Someone asked me this recently, and honestly? Fair question.
We live in a culture that glorifies hustle. We measure our worth in checkmarks, and productivity gets treated like a badge of honor—even if we’re running on fumes. So yes, the idea of resting can feel a little counterintuitive.
But here’s what I’ve learned:
I don’t get things done in spite of resting—I get things done because I rest.
Rest Isn’t Quitting—It’s Strategy
Let’s clear something up:
Resting is not the same as quitting.
Quitting is walking away.
Resting is pressing pause so you can come back stronger.
It’s not about being lazy. It’s about being intentional.
Because when you run yourself into the ground, the only thing you’re producing is burnout.
And burnout doesn’t make progress. It makes resentment, fatigue, and sometimes—let’s be honest—a full-on breakdown over unfolded laundry and missed deadlines.
What Rest Actually Looks Like (And Why It Works)
Rest doesn’t mean doing nothing. It means doing what you need to recharge.
That could look like:
A walk outside without your phone
Logging off early—even if the to-do list isn’t finished
Saying “no” without guilt
A slow morning
Letting yourself pause without explaining why
Rest gives your mind room to breathe and your body time to recover. And when you come back to your work, you’re more focused, more present, and way more effective.
If You Think You Don’t Have Time to Rest… You Probably Need It Most
I know what you’re thinking—“That sounds nice, but I don’t have time to rest.”
I get it.
You have goals. Kids. Projects. Deadlines. Maybe even chickens.
But if you’re running on caffeine and cortisol, you’re not being productive—you’re just tired. And tired doesn’t lead to intentional, lasting progress. It leads to survival mode.
If you want sustainable success—rest is part of the plan.
Protecting Your Energy is the Move
Rest isn’t about falling behind. It’s about giving yourself the space to show up for the things that matter with full energy and clear intention.
And that’s where real progress happens.
So no—I’m not here to glorify hustle culture.
I’m here to normalize protecting your peace.
Because when you learn to rest (on purpose), you give yourself the capacity to keep going with purpose.
Want to Start Building Rest Into Your Routine?
Try my Time Audit Challenge — a totally free resource to help you reclaim your time and energy so you can stop running on empty.
Or grab my Intentional Week Planner — it’s designed to help you plan smarter, prioritize rest, and still get stuff done.
Because you don’t have to choose between rest and progress.
You need both.
