Rest Is Productive
Because over functioning isn’t strength - it’s self-protection in disguise.
Welcome back to Parenting Connected.
I’m ending the week with a gentle reminder that rest is productive & that slowing down is how you find your rhythm again.
I found this quote jotted down in an old journal:
“Doing too much is an external expression of fear on the inside.”
And it was a reminder that came at the right time, as they often do.
Because when I catch myself over watering the metaphorical plant (cleaning too much, planning too much, trying too hard) it’s usually not about the laundry, or the list. It’s fear. Fear that if I stop, everything will fall apart. Fear that if I rest, I’ll lose momentum.
But here’s the truth: rest isn’t the opposite of productivity - it’s what makes it possible.
So today’s post is less of a “how-to” & more of a permission slip. A reminder that it’s safe to pause. That all is in hand, even when your anxiety tells you otherwise.
Restful resets that actually refill your cup
Sometimes rest is a nap. Sometimes it’s ASMR in the background while you fold laundry. Sometimes it’s cooking a beautiful meal just because it feels good.
Here are some of my favourite ways to gently reset:
A short nap - 10 minutes of shut eye can really change your energy.
Meditation or visualisation - try this.
Reading something that nourishes instead of numbs - this is an oldie but a goodie!
Cooking or baking for joy (not just to feed others).
Tea in your favourite mug, under a blanket - while taking a pause.
A long Epsom-salt bath or shower with a luxurious oil.
Music or an uplifting film - giving it your full attention.
Skin care done properly as a ritual - no rushing!
Listening to rain, birdsong, or sitting in sunshine.
Time in nature, even five minutes in the garden.
And if true rest feels unreachable? Slow down whatever you’re doing.
clean the bathroom slower & with presence. Wash the dishes like a meditation. Let slowness be your first step toward stillness.
Mood shifters & energy check ins
It helps to know what resets you & what drains you. Here are mine:
Mood shifters: music, dancing with the kids, walking, water, light.
Mood drainers: perfection, over cleaning, scrolling, ignoring my needs.
Try writing out your own this weekend. Once you know what they are you can reset as many times a day as you need to. That’s not failure, that’s maintenance.
It’s Bigger Than You
When you rest, you don’t just refill yourself - you model something powerful.
You show your kids, your friends, your sisters that it’s safe to stop trying so hard. That joy and calm are not luxuries; they’re life skills.
Every time you choose ease over overdoing, you quietly teach:
“I am enough. And so are you.”
Tiny habits, big peace
Rest doesn’t have to look the same every day. What matters is that it fits your real life. The small things you can actually keep doing - those are the ones that change everything.
Consistency isn’t about perfection; it’s about rhythm.
And rhythm, I’ve learned, feels a lot like peace.
Until next time…
Stay connected!
Lou