Jani Martinius

Permission to Rest? Denied!

I’m just kidding, of course you can rest.

Although that’s exactly what we usually tell ourselves, isn’t it? Things like:

We have to earn rest.

No rest for the wicked!

I can rest when I’m dead.

Kids / spouse / work / somebody needs something from me, then I’ll rest.

I don’t deserve rest.

Taking a rest makes me lazy.

Once I’m done xyz, then I’ll rest.

Something got really warped for us along the way. For us to wholeheartedly believe that we need someone’s “permission” to rest, if we allow ourselves to take a rest at all. Let’s not get into why we are at these crossroads, otherwise this would turn into a very lengthy novel.

We’re here, so now what?

I believe that we have to take back rest, as if our lives depended on it! (Because they do!)

A few reminders for all of us:

You deserve to rest.

You don’t need anybody’s permission to take a rest.

You don’t have to earn your downtime.

Resting is healthy, and will probably be the most productive thing you’ll do today.

Resting doesn’t necessarily mean laying down and being still. If today, resting feels like dancing, dance! If tomorrow resting feels like a nap, nap! If resting feels like a fun activity with your kiddos, go do that!

In case you feel like you do need someone’s permission to take some time for yourself, I invite you to write yourself a permission slip! Like the ones you sign for your kids to do fun activities outside of school.

It could look something like this:

“I give myself permission to rest, and take care of myself, and not feel pressure or guilt to do things”

Put it on a sticky note and place it somewhere obvious, where you will see it every day. Remember to sign it, too! Make it official so you believe it when you see it.

And just in case you feel like you do need someone else’s permission to rest:

I give you full permission to rest, and take care of yourself without feeling pressure or guilt to do things.

If someone comes around and pesters you, you are welcome to tell them: Jani said to take a rest.

One of my friends recently said that napping is also a very noble pursuit in life.

With that, I will go and have a little nap.

PS: Sometimes I have mini naps while hugging the trees in my favourite forest!