I go through seasons where the balance between rest and work feels just right, and other seasons where the overachiever in me takes over—wanting to get everything done now. Ironically, during those high-achieving times—when rest is needed most—I tend to rest only out of exhaustion rather than working from a place of rest.
Resting out of exhaustion can take many forms, but for me, it usually looks like sinking into the couch, scrolling on my phone, watching TV, and doing as little as possible. It’s those days after a long week when I don’t want to do anything, go anywhere, or talk to anyone. That kind of rest might recharge my physical battery, but it doesn’t do much for my emotional or spiritual well-being.
This realization hit me more clearly during my birthday trip. We spent time at the beach, and I found myself just watching—watching T swim in the ocean, watching crabs scurry along the sand, watching jellyfish wash ashore, and listening to the steady rhythm of the waves. It was exactly what my soul needed. Later that day, we went on a dolphin-watching cruise, and once again, being on the water and surrounded by nature brought deep peace to my spirit. It reset my perspective.
Then on Tuesday, I went parasailing. While it was adventurous, it also gave me 12 minutes of stillness—just me, no phone, no distractions—soaking in creation and the vastness of the world around me. It was grounding in a way that screen time simply isn’t.
So now the question is: how do I incorporate that kind of rest into my weekly rhythm, not just during vacations?
I’m usually good at sticking to things I write down and schedule, so I need to be intentional about calendaring time for rest that truly restores me—like being in nature, working on a puzzle, spending time with close friends, playing games, or watching a live sporting event. These are the kinds of things that refill my emotional and spiritual tank.
When I come home from a long day at church, it’s easy to default to the couch and TV until bedtime. But I want to be better about choosing activities that are restful and meaningful—like coloring, doing a puzzle, reading, or even working through a puzzle book. The TV can be on, but it doesn’t need to have my full attention. My electronics don’t need my full attention either.
I want to be intentional about disconnecting in order to truly recharge. The world doesn’t need to be at my fingertips every moment, and I don’t need to be at the world’s beck and call all the time.
What about you? Where do you find rest? What are the things that fill your cup emotionally, spiritually, and physically? What are your next steps to having a healthier work/rest rhythm?
