THE MAGIC OF REST
Hello there! I hope this week finds you reading this newsletter from a reclined position. Whether you're enjoying a lazy Summer break or taking a cheeky personal day, remember that you deserve rest! I'm drinking Irish Breakfast tea this morning and thinking about how I used to believe that being anything less than extremely busy was a failure.
We're still basking over here at Fat+Happy headquarters (aka: my living room) as I've been off from teaching for one week. And even though I'm still working on projects and planning for Fall (did you sign up yet??), I'm really encouraging myself to work at a gentle pace and to take breaks and prioritize rest as much as possible.
I'm not going to lie, this isn't easy for me. And it's not that I don't love a good sit down or lie down, because I absolutely do! It's that I often can't get into a relaxed state because I'm thinking about what I "should" be doing, especially since I run my own business and there's always something to work on.
When I first moved to Vancouver, I almost immediately had three jobs on top of running around town auditioning and looking for an agent. I was very proud of my hustle, and I loved to brag that I could be out until 3 or 4am and get up at 8. Oh my god, even typing that makes me want a nap! And while there's so much about those years I wouldn't change for anything, I would love to go back and tell myself that there's absolutely nothing wrong with getting a good night's sleep and maybe only having two jobs. That I didn't need to feel guilty taking time to simply be still or enjoy doing nothing.
Guilt is such a tricky monster, but I have learned that it's hard to know what you want and need if you never slow down to ask. So I'm slowing down and continuing to explore our theme of basking this month. Not only as a way to check in and ask myself how I'm doing, but also to simply enjoy being. Sometimes it looks like a lazy stroll or a guided meditation and sometimes it's watching cozy British murder mysteries with a cup of tea and a cookie next to me. Yes, the guilt still pops up from time to time, but I know that I really want a life that has ample time for slowing down, so I'm having one dammit!
So now it's your turn! How's your month of basking going so far? How are you honouring rest and space when you need it? Do you take time away from screens and allow yourself to simply be? You deserve the space to rest, reflect and slow all the way down.
And if you need a little help, I've got you covered with a new meditation for sunbathing over on the Patreon. Grab your headphones and your beach blanket and I'll see you there!
As always, I'd love to hear about it! What is your relationship with rest and how do you prioritize it in your life? What's your favourite way to slow down and how do you feel afterwards? Let me know in the comments below.
As you move through this week, remember to treat yourself and your body with love, respect and kindness.
Much love,
Helen xo
