For many highly motivated people it can be tough to take a rest. They feel like they shouldn’t be relaxing for so many reasons and sometimes it just feels wrong to take a break. In fact, it can feel like resting is being outright lazy.
Truthfully though, resting and being lazy are two very different things that easily get thrown together by our minds.
How do you tell the difference between when you need rest or if you’re just being lazy? The two seem so much alike that this can be a tough distinction, especially for driven people.
In my opinion, lazy is when you go along for the ride, letting whatever happens happen. You’re not directing it.
You happen to plop down, exhausted from your long day and turn on the TV. You watch whatever bad TV is available to numb your mind and take the day away. It’s the equivalent of eating a bag of Cheetos. It’s junk food for your soul and it’s an example of being lazy.
You know that you could be watching a better show or doing something that is more meaningful that’s actually restorative but you pick the easy route and watch whatever B movie happens to be on the tube. It’s just like opening the bag of Cheetos is easier than making a snack with more protein, fiber or vitamins would be better for you.
The problem with lazy.
So you might be thinking, “So what? being lazy ever so often is okay by me.” And, I’d agree with you, however, there are a few reasons why being “lazy” doesn’t get you what you need.
You don’t really feel rested or recharged. Whatever activity you just did was out of habit or convenience instead of thoughtful and something that you know would give you more energy.
Laziness doesn’t give you energy. It supports feeling apathetic, indifferent about life and lacking enthusiasm for the things you thought you loved.
True rest is restorative. Sleep isn’t the only way to achieve it.
You pick what you want to do that you know will feel fulfilling and it recharges your batteries and then you go do it.
This means that rest isn’t always about sitting and not “doing”. In fact, doing can be a great way to fill your bucket with energy. What activities do you really like doing?
If you think rest will just happen, know that it won’t. You have to take the bull by the horns and work it in. With so much constantly going on in life, and frankly coming at you, restorative things don’t just happen by chance as much as we’d like to think they do.
It’s rare that real rest, the kind that recharges your mind, body and soul, happens by chance. Running into a friend can tap into this restorative process, but it doesn’t happen often enough.
Don’t be lazy about rest, plan for it.
Restful activities that are specifically chosen to help you feel better, do just that. You know yourself best so what works for you?
For example, if you’re going to be upset at yourself because you’ve been sooo unproductive over the weekend, you know that being “lazy” and doing whatever is easy doesn’t support what you need to feel good.
Now you know how to tell when you’re just being lazy or if you’re actually getting the recharge and rest that you need to feel fulfilled and ready for the world on all fronts—emotionally, physically and mentally.
Where in your schedule can you be more selective about doing truly restful activities? Let me know in the comments.
With much love and gratitude,
