To My Fellow Warriors Who Never Learned to Rest
Let's be honest with ourselves. Many of us grew up believing that constantly doing was the only path to worth.
I see you there, filling every minute of your calendar, feeling that flutter of panic when you actually have free time. I know that feeling because I've lived it too. That nagging voice saying "you should be doing something productive right now" whenever you try to simply... be.
Here's what I've discovered: this isn't just a habit—it's a wound from our past. We were taught that stillness equals laziness, that rest should be accompanied by guilt. We built our sense of safety on productivity and our worth on busyness.
And now? When life finally gives us a quiet moment, our anxiety screams into that silence. It's not that peace doesn't call to us—it's that nobody ever taught us it was safe to answer.
You deserve to heal this relationship with rest. At this stage of life, isn't it time to rewrite these rules? Your worth isn't measured in checked boxes or emptied laundry baskets. You've earned your moments of stillness.
3 Tips to Claim Your Moments of Stillness in a Busy World
The Power of "Just One Breath" - When you feel overwhelmed, commit to taking just one conscious breath. Close your eyes, inhale slowly for 4 counts, hold for 2, exhale for 6. That's it. This micro-practice requires no special equipment or environment and can be done anywhere—in your car before entering the house, between Zoom meetings, or while waiting for coffee to brew. One breath resets your nervous system without asking for time you feel you don't have.
Create Non-Negotiable Bookends - Protect the first and last 10 minutes of your day from the world's demands. In the morning, resist grabbing your phone before your feet hit the floor. Instead, sit at the edge of your bed, feel the ground beneath your feet, and set an intention. At night, create a similar pocket of stillness before sleep. These bookends become sacred containers that even the busiest day cannot invade.
Redefine "Productivity" with Stillness Appointments - Schedule stillness in your calendar like any other important meeting—because it is one. Start with just 5 minutes twice a week. Tell yourself: "This stillness is not stealing from my productivity; it IS my productivity." When we momentarily step away from constant doing, we return with greater clarity, creativity, and perspective. The most successful women know that rest isn't the opposite of achievement—it's the foundation.
Remember, claiming stillness isn't selfish—it's strategic. Your busy life needs you at your best, not your most depleted.
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~Judy Davis is a motivational speaker, published author and mental health mentor that helps people escape the "I'm Fine" trap with contagious energy, zero filter, and a toolkit that turns burned-out givers into joyful boundary-setters who finally put themselves on their own damn to-do list!
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