Redefining Rest: My Little Pockets of Self-Care

You know, over the past few months, I’ve talked a lot about rest and self-care. And I’ll be the first to admit: I used to think it meant you had to carve out an entire day, plan a fancy spa trip, or book a whole yoga retreat just to count as “real” rest. But let’s be honest, while that would be lovely, it’s not always realistic. (Who even has time for that??)

What I’ve found is that rest can happen in those small, everyday pockets of time. And truthfully, those little moments have been game-changers for me.

Let me share what’s been working for me lately…

Lunches for One 
I started taking myself out to lunch now and then. Just me, a good book, or maybe an audiobook. It felt a little odd at first, like I should be chatting with someone or that I was wasting time not scheduling a 1:1, but I quickly realized it was actually really liberating to just enjoy my own company.

Five Minutes of Silence in the Car 
I’ve also started something that felt SUPER uncomfortable at first – – driving in silence. I used to have to turn the radio on because the quiet felt strange. But as I got more comfortable with it, it became this huge brain break for me. Now I can drive for an hour with no distractions, and it’s amazing how it lets my mind rest and reset.

A Few Moments in Nature 
Whether it’s sitting safely on a park bench or just enjoying a quiet moment before heading into a meeting, I’ve found that these little pockets of stillness are just as rejuvenating as any big event. I’ve also become a big believer in being barefoot in the grass (although that will change with the colder months ahead!)

So let’s give ourselves permission to rest in these small ways. I give you permission. It doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. Those little moments add up to a whole lot of self-care.