Overcoming Struggles with Relaxation
With the condition of today's job market and “grind culture”, finding moments of true rest often feels harder than ever. Despite my best intentions, the hustle and bustle of daily obligations, and trying to grow in my respective industry, I find it incredibly difficult to unwind. But through my own struggles and reflections, I’ve come to understand why resting is so hard — and how I’m learning to navigate this journey toward prioritizing rest in my life.
Caught in a Cycle of Busyness
For the longest time, I found myself caught in the trap of busyness. The more tasks I checked off my to-do list, the more validated I felt. However, I realized that I viewed rest as a reward reserved for those who had already achieved their goals. As the days started to blur into one another, I began to realize that my relentless pursuit of productivity was leaving me feeling drained and disconnected.
It’s currently April 2024, and describing the job market as challenging is a gross understatement. In such a competitive landscape, additional certifications and practical experience hold significant weight in distinguishing oneself from other applicants. Consequently, there’s intense pressure to consistently excel and stand out. The fear of falling behind or failing was driving me to push myself to the brink, sacrificing my own well-being in the process. However, what I failed to recognize was that prioritizing rest would ultimately enable me to present my best self, even if it didn’t seem evident at the time.
I acknowledged the importance of getting more rest, yet I struggled to figure out how to achieve it. When trying to sleep in later, read, or watch anime, I discovered that these activities didn’t truly provide the relaxation I sought; instead, I often felt burdened by guilt during these moments.
Strategies for Balancing Productivity and Self-Care
So, the big question is: How do I manage being productive and taking genuine moments for self-care? It turned out to be tougher than I anticipated, and truly a skill I had to dedicate myself to improving.
The following are a few strategies I’m actively working on as part of this journey.
Establishing Boundaries: It’s crucial to set clear boundaries between work and personal time. I make it a point not to check work emails or do work-related tasks during my downtime. One trick that’s helped me stick to this is creating different focus modes on my phone. Check out this video YouTube video that inspired me to set up these designated modes. If you have an Android I found this article that touches on a similar feature (I got you 😉).
Creating a Restful Environment: Working from home, I realized the importance of separating my work and relaxation spaces (no more working from bed! 😅). By carving out distinct areas in my apartment for work and rest, switching off mentally became much easier. Plus, I revamped my home office with some IKEA finds for a cozy vibe that boosts motivation while also encouraging that separation.
Engaging in Restorative Activities: I’ve discovered what helps me unwind and recharge, like painting, cooking, or simply listening to music — all screen-free activities that let me be in the moment. Making time for these activities has become essential for maintaining balance and finding joy in the little things (which ultimately become the big things).
Setting a Physical Routine: Surprisingly, hitting the gym has become a major part of my rest routine. Starting the day early, away from screens, has been a game-changer. Although waking up at 5:30 am was tough at first (and still is), it’s been incredibly rewarding. Starting the day off with that accomplishment allows me to incentivize myself for rest later on in the day.
Journaling: Reflecting on my journey through journaling has been incredibly powerful. Using prompts from a journal or app makes it easier to stay consistent. It’s a bit like going to the gym — not always what I want to do in the moment, but I always feel better afterward.
Seeking Support: Recognizing that I don’t have to navigate this journey alone has been another game-changer. Whether it’s leaning on friends, family, or seeking guidance from mental health professionals, their support, encouragement, and perspective have been invaluable along the way.
Conclusion
My biggest struggle in writing this article was figuring out what tense to write it in. I have spoken about the struggle of rest as if it is something I’ve already overcome, but I still have to be very intentional about it every day. I still struggle with turning my mind off and giving myself permission to relax, but over time it has gotten easier.
Ultimately, I decided to write this article in the past tense because although I still have more to learn, I have come a long way and this journey has taught me that it’s important to acknowledge that.
I have my good and bad days in the midst of navigating busyness and challenges, but my biggest takeaway is that rest is not a luxury — it’s a vital component of living a balanced and fulfilling life.
