If you’ve been following along this month, you know I’ve been diving deep into what self-care and self-love really mean.
Spoiler: it’s not always the stuff that looks good on Instagram. Self-love sometimes looks like saying no. Self-care might look like leaving your to-do list half-done so you can go to bed early.
And today, we’re talking about one of the most underrated forms of both (and frankly my personal favorite): rest.
In a culture that glorifies hustle, it's easy to feel like we have to be “on” all the time. Like resting means you're falling behind. I felt that for years—especially as someone who works in wellness and does a lot of posting on social media. But over time, I’ve learned that rest isn’t the opposite of productivity... it’s what makes it possible.
As a coach, I pour a lot of energy into helping others feel their best. That work is deeply meaningful, but it also takes a lot out of me. I’ve come to realize that rest isn't a reward I give myself after being productive. It’s a requirement if I want to keep showing up for others—and myself.
That realization became even clearer during ultramarathon training. I was pushing my body to new limits, and I had to prioritize recovery like it was part of the workout itself. Because it was. Without it, progress didn't happen. The same goes for life: when we skip rest, we burn out—physically, mentally, emotionally.
So here’s the truth I’ve learned:
Rest is self-respect.
Rest is boundaries.
Rest is how I am able to do the work I do.
This month, I hope you’ve seen that self-care and self-love are not just about big moments. They're about small choices that build a better relationship with yourself. So whether it’s going to bed early, saying no to one more commitment, or just letting yourself breathe, don’t treat rest like it’s optional.
You don’t need to earn your rest.
You already deserve it.
