Rest is Revolutionary

Sometimes the most radical thing a woman can do in midlife or at any stage of life is rest.

This morning I was afflicted by the self-inflicted dilemma of whether to call into work sick or not, despite fighting a debilitating virus. I woke at 6am feeling way too weak to even get out of bed but it took me 3 hours to inform the office that I was too ill to work.

How ridiculous is that?

We’re taught to push, perform, produce — even when our bodies are silently screaming, “please stop.” Boomers particularly, in my anecdotal wisdom, were taught to keep productive and work regardless of how we, as women, were feeling.

Why are we not told that wisdom in midlife often comes wrapped in a duvet, holding a cup of tea, reminding us that healing is a productive things to do and marks progress?

Midlife has a funny way of reminding us that we can’t just push through everything. Our bodies take longer to recover. We can’t always power our way to success or smile our way past exhaustion.

Sometimes, the real act of courage is stopping. Resting. Refusing to see stillness as failure

I used to think rest was lazy — something to be earned after the work was done. On the contrary, it is a vital part of the process. Like hitting the ‘refresh’ button on our energy, creativity, and perspective.

Midlife isn’t about proving we can do it all. It’s about learning when to step back, breathe, and nurture the woman underneath all the roles.

Because rest isn’t weakness.