Create Space For Rest

give yourself a break
constant hustle serves no gain
create space for rest

Everything in nature moves in cycles. The phases of the moon. The seasons of the year. Lifecycles of plants and trees. The rhythm of the day. Ocean tides.

Even markets tend to exhibit cycles. Stocks and real estate have their ups and downs.

Every animal on this planet recognizes and honors these cycles, except for one: humans.

With our advanced thinking minds we hold ourselves to be superior to the trees and the lowly insects and animals that cohabitate with us on this planet.

Except that we haven’t yet mastered the one thing that all other beings have mastered: honoring the cycles of nature.

Hustle culture conditions us to grind it out, persist no matter what.

Don’t let up.

To step back is to risk being labeled as lazy or unprofessional.

If you don’t hone your craft every day, maybe you aren’t serious about it.

What’s the effect of these messages on our collective psyche? When we internalize them and live by them what values are we reinforcing? What messages are we sending to those who look to us for guidance?

As a person who has maintained a daily blog for over 4 years, I am looking in the mirror as I ask these questions.

I know better. And yet each time I promise myself I’m going to scale backs I find myself called to another group of people who are extolling the virtues of creating daily.

Sometimes I wonder what might be possible if I walked away from the blog for a few days or even longer.

What might I create from a foundation of true rest?

How do we practice our craft with diligence and also allow space for rest?

There’s no simple answer. It may not be one size fits all.

I’m trying to give myself space to not write as much, or to explore different types of writing.

I’m exploring my own limiting beliefs about “what counts” as a blog post. And also the beliefs that cause me to feel compelled to write and publish a daily blog, even when I know I’d be better served by rest.

I don’t have all the answers right now; I’m just posing questions.

For you. For myself. For all of us.