The Myth of the Hustle: Why Rest Isn't a Dirty Word
Welcome to Rest is Not a Reward, a four-part blog series that explores the vital importance of rest for a balanced life.
Clouds. Thomas Cole, 1838. Courtesy the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
Let's dismantle the myth that busyness equals success and recognize rest as the foundational element it truly is.
We live in a culture that glorifies the grind. Phrases like "good things come to those who hustle" and "I'll sleep when I'm dead" are practically mantras. We're conditioned to believe that constant busyness equates to success, and a full calendar is a status symbol. But what if I told you that this relentless pursuit of productivity is actually counterproductive in the long run?
As someone who once proudly wore the "busy" badge and even identified as a productivity hack enthusiast, I've learned firsthand that this non-stop hustle comes at a cost. We see rest as the antithesis of achievement, a sign of laziness. But the truth is, rest isn't the enemy of productivity; it's a fundamental pillar of it.
Think back to the simple wisdom we were given about infant sleep: "back is best." In the same vein, I've come to realize that "rest is best" for our overall well-being. It's not about stopping entirely, but about consciously and intentionally replenishing the energy and resources we constantly expend. Rest is about recognizing a deficit and actively pouring back in.
Our societal obsession with doing the most often overshadows the quiet power of rest. While whirlwind vacations might garner likes on social media, our daily rest practices – the micro-moments of pause and intentional stillness – are often overlooked. But these are the very moments that sustain us, allowing us to show up more fully in all aspects of our lives. It's time we reframe our understanding of rest, moving away from the dated notion that it's a luxury and embracing it as the vital necessity it truly is.
Rest is Not a Reward explores the vital importance of rest for a balanced life, moving beyond the hustle culture's glorification of busyness. Dee Greene Hill shares her personal journey and insights, emphasizing that rest is a necessity, not a luxury. The series unpacks the seven distinct types of rest beyond just sleep and reframes rest as a strategic imperative for enhanced productivity and well-being.
