We’re bad at resting. Our society tells us to run as fast as we can because if we stop or if we take our eye of the prize, then we’ll be left behind. In societies standards, everyday needs to be packed full of work and productivity. Just think about all the things we’re expected to do in our lives. You’re supposed to work hard at your job, keep a clean and well-kept home, develop good friendships, have a good family life, workout and eat right, keep up with the latest technology, keep up with the latest fashion trends…oh and don’t forget to document this all on your social media in a way that makes you seem like you have it all together. I don’t know about you, but I get exhausted just reading that list.

Of course, working hard is good. Sloth is one of the seven deadly sins, so I’m not saying you should sit around doing nothing and feel good about that either. However, I do think we all could do a better job at allowing for margin in our life. Give yourself a day. Just one day where you don’t get everything done on that list, and be okay with it! If you can’t sacrifice a whole day, just try sitting for 30 minutes just soaking in the joy of life. It sounds kind of pointless, but I love doing this. Just sit down and think about how blessed you are to be alive. It’s really therapeutic for me and puts things back in perspective.

If I am not enough to convince you that rest should be a priority, take into account the fact that even God rested. In the book of Genesis, it tells us that after God had created the heavens and the earth in six days, He rested on the seventh. Do you think God needed to rest? No, of course not. He’s God. I’m sure He wasn’t physically or mentally exhausted, but He values rest after a good and hard work is accomplished. If God who does not need rest took a day off, how important is it for us humans who need rest to take a day off once in a while? I’d say it’s pretty important.

I just finished a hard and grueling semester of 18.5 credits. I completed a good and hard work. So I’m kicking my feet up and relaxing a bit completely guilt-free because I believe rest is so important for us all.