In a world that glorifies constant motion, rest has become both a remedy and a refuge. We’re encouraged to slow down, log off, take breaks, and protect our energy. And for many of us, that advice is necessary. Exhaustion is real. Burnout is real. Overstimulation is real.But there’s a quieter confusion that often follows this permission to rest: Am I genuinely restoring myself—or am I avoiding something uncomfortable inside me?On the surface, rest and avoidance can look identical. Both involve stepping back. Both can include solitude, silence, and disengagement. Both may feel like relief. Yet their long-term effects are very different. One replenishes you. The other quietly drains you, because what you avoid doesn’t disappear; it waits.Understanding the difference between resting and avoiding what you feel isn’t about self-judgment. It’s about self-honesty. And that honesty, though uncomfortable at times, is what turns rest into healing instead of hiding.What rest really isTrue rest isn’t just the absence of work—it’s the presence of safety. When you are resting, your nervous system begins to soften. Your mind slows without spiralling. Your body feels allowed to exist without performing or proving.Rest can look like sleep, quiet reading, slow walks, prayer, journaling, or simply sitting… Read MoreYourStory RSS Feed
