It was overwhelming.
So was getting knocked down with the flu amidst the project—forcing me to stop. That’s why I missed connecting with you last week.
Since then, I’ve road-tripped another 18+ hours to Northern California—each mile unraveling grief and exhaustion I hadn’t even realized I was carrying.
As I write this, I am finally still.
Sitting on my boyfriend’s glorious deck, overlooking the San Francisco Bay. I listen to the waves lapping, gaze at the Golden Gate Bridge, breathe in the salty air, and feel the weight of the past year settling into my bones.
I have been moving non-stop. The emotional intensity of letting go of my belongings. The relentless demands of my house remodel. The wild ride of my first year in Portugal. The heaviness of a world that feels chaotic and uncertain
And yet, even with all my awareness and even with everything I teach, I realize how deeply ingrained my resistance to rest has been. How difficult it has been to allow myself to slow down, to do less, to say no, to give myself permission to rest.
My body was lethargic, yet my mind insisted: You need to exercise.
My spirit was weary, yet my brain urged: You should be social.
My energy was low, yet my thoughts demanded: You must keep producing.
Does this sound familiar?
What is your relationship to rest?
Do you believe that if you are tired, you ought to rest? Have you ever questioned the deeper forces that have convinced you it’s not okay to slow down? Do you struggle to give yourself permission to rest—without guilt?
Because here’s the truth:
😳 The dominant culture pushes the narrative: Rest is bad.
😟 Society conditions us to believe: Rest is lazy.
🫠 And internalized beliefs whisper: If you rest, you’ll miss out or fall behind.
I see it in myself.
I see it in so many leaders—especially women entrepreneurs.
And it has a cost
When you don’t give yourself permission to rest—you productivity decreases, your physical health suffers, your relationships waiver, your creativity blocks, and you risk burning out.
So this week, here in the Bay Area, something shifted for me.
I allowed myself to surrender. I took naps, stayed home without apology, stared at the water for hours without feeling the need to “accomplish” anything. I said no. And, I gave myself permission to rest.
It’s been transformational.
My energy has come back online. I feel my creativity reigniting. I hear my intuition more clearly. And, I am happier in spirit.
Because, rest is not a luxury—it is a necessity. It is a vital part of sustainable success. It fuels your creativity, sharpens decision-making, and prevents burnout. Rest is not separate from achievement; it is what makes long-term success possible.
Giving yourself permission to rest without guilt—while still achieving your goals—is what I help my clients cultivate in my Leading with Love coaching program.
If you have a vision and know that giving yourself permission to rest is essential for your success—but find it hard to do it alone—I invite you to schedule a no-pressure, trauma-informed complimentary call with me. We’ll chat about your vision, what’s getting in the way, and how coaching with me might support you in moving forward.