Worthy of Rest

“I don’t know who needs to hear this, but rest is not a reward. You don’t have to earn rest. You need rest. You deserve rest. You are worthy of rest simply because you are a living being. And don’t ever feel guilty for taking time to rest.” ~ Eso (The Minds Journal)

Yesterday, on Christmas, I decided to take a full rest day. No work, no lesson planning, no answering work messages, no big household projects. My rest day consisted of unrushed time in my morning devotions, good food, a new puzzle, a Harry Potter marathon, and time to connect with those I love. During certain moments I felt uncomfortable, compelled to “get ahead” on work or take the opportunity to do some deep cleaning, but I prioritized rest. I realized how rare it is that I invite stillness to take up a large amount of space in my day.

As teachers, I think we often have a difficult time embracing the rest we need and deserve. Our “breaks” may feel busier than our regular work days. Last week, I asked several teachers if they had any plans over the winter break. All of them said they had made a to-do list of tasks to get done during this time away from work. In our fast-paced, perfection-driven society, I’m not sure how we begin to create more space for rest. But I do know it’s important, and I want to keep working on it. I need to hear that I do not need to earn rest or feel guilty for taking time to be still. Perhaps you need these reminders today too.