mis-take (noun) – an act or judgement that is misguided or wrong
mis-take (verb) – be wrong about
Today I saw a meme in an Instagram story that read, say it with me: I don’t have to explain why I need a break. Not even to myself. I do not even have to earn rest. The author is Yasmine Cheyenne, who is the host of the Sugar Jar Podcast. I am not familiar with her or her work, but these words spoke to me.
I realize that I often make the mistake of feeling guilty for sleeping in or having a day where I do NOTHING but lay around in bed. During our stay-at-home order, there were several days that I felt that this time could and should have been used wisely. I wanted to be responsible to myself by making strides toward my exercise goals. I was going to craft like crazy (not the same as blog like crazy 🤪) and read at least five books! I did have days of reading or successful workout sessions. However, I also had days where I did not shower until 5 pm.
Why should I feel guilty for doing nothing? Why should I feel ashamed of listening to my body and taking a lazy day?
I have never bought into the notion that hustle and grind mean no sleep. I have always been an advocate of rest. Sleep gives your body time to rest and recovery. From health.gov, benefits of sleep include:
- Get sick less often
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Lower risk of serious health problems such as diabetes and high blood pressure
- Stress is reduced, and mood is improved
- Think clearer
No one should ever feel shamed for rest, recovery, or recuperation. There is a time for the grind, for the late nights and early mornings. Regardless of what method of success or completion of tasks is chosen, it should come with a personal conviction that requires no explanation.
My mistakes come to work. I often feel guilty for taking time off because a substitute is needed. Fortunately, I have never had a request denied over a staffing issue. However, the guilt haunts me. I feel that I deserve time or an extra day around my birthday; aside from that, I should feel empowered and responsible to myself if I want to take a random Tuesday for myself.
Let us honor rest the same way we glorify the grind. There is a grace with rest. Grace is unmerited favor. Therefore it is undeserved, requires no explanation, and is given just because. This is and should be how rest/sleep/time off is perceived and received. Moving with grace brings restoration, recovery, reconciliation, and reestablishment. This sounds like rest. Rest is no longer a mistake but an understanding.
Give love. Get love.
The Ready Writer 