The Gentle Art of Resting (Without Guilt)

A reflection on stillness and why it’s essential

The other night, a follower responded to one of my posts about slowing down in the evening. He shared that he often felt guilty for simply sitting and decompressing—as if every moment had to be productive. His words made me pause because, haven’t we all felt that way?

Somewhere along the way, we absorbed the idea that rest is indulgent. That stillness is wasted time. That "doing nothing" is, well... doing nothing.

But here’s the truth: Rest is not idle. It is restoration.

Think of nature. The trees don’t rush to grow; the tides don’t apologize for retreating; the moon doesn’t shine half-heartedly, worried it should be doing more. Stillness is woven into the rhythm of the world, and yet, we resist it.

We forget that in those quiet moments—when the mind softens and the breath slows—we are doing something profound: we are existing, fully and presently. We are giving our bodies and souls the space to renew.

So tonight, or any night, when you sit with a cup of tea, watching the evening settle, let yourself be there without guilt. You are not wasting time. You are living in it.

✨ How do you allow yourself to rest? Share your thoughts in the comments.