My best ideas come from the leisure times; I’m sure it happens to you too as you walk to work. The “race” is detrimental to true success. Really enjoyed this article.
I have always struggled with this issue and feel guilty if I’m not productive 24/7. Thanks for reminding me of the history of this and the impact on my well being.
Rest is a requirement. Too many talk up their time spent working as if it's a good thing. Sure, you worked 64 hours this week, congrats. How many of them were productive?
It took burnout & developing an autoimmune condition for me to become aware of the huge importance of rest.
Rest should be a priority for everyone, not an afterthought…
The phrase I despise is “I’ll rest when I die.” Without prioritising self care, there’s a good chance of premature death or living with a serious illness.
You know what…I think I might also have developed an autoimmune disease because of stress. It’s just a hunch but the timing with my last job makes it seem very plausible…it’s not to be underestimated
Amen - this is so aligned with my thinking. After years of pushing through I see that it strips my happiness. Goals are fine, but if you're body is saying no, what's it worth?
Even being fully aware of the importance of rest, I’ve found it challenging to truly embrace and consistently practice it. It takes time to become seamless and firm in knowing when to hit pause and rest—especially when it’s so easy to get lost in the work. I’ve struggled with this a lot too, especially in the beginning. However, I’m actively working on it, and it’s definitely getting better. Rest is a crucial part of the work, not a luxury. Being in a burnout, especially a bad one, is not productive at all. I hope more people will learn to let go of the guilt around rest and see it as a tool for growth.
That is my hope that more people will start to treat themselves with the respect they deserve. Burnout is a term that has become popular but it’s not just feeling tired or overwhelmed it can actually have a lifelong catastrophic impact…you may never be able to work on the field again if you push yourself too hard… it’s easy to see this with athletes and the physical form but we don’t get it when it comes to the mind and spirit
I really grateful that you agitated this issue Benjamin. For me capitalism is not incidental to our demonisation of rest it’s integral. Rest is a political issue. Have you read The Double X Economy?
A great post on the pandemic of relentless work-work-work "ethic". Remember, the uncommon "common-sense" truism-of-the-twentieth-and-nineteenth-century : "ALL WORK AND NO PLAY, MAKES JACK A DULL BOY"?
The historical perspective on rest and leisure was interesting. I like the way the ancient Greeks viewed leisure. For me, rest means rest. Leisure means hobbies and self-development work (reading, studying, etc.).
Seasons and tides point to the natural ebb and flow of life.
We, with climate control and similar power at our fingertips - we can mechanise life for the better and for our detriment. We push the community past the optimum in that upside down U curve.
I imagine a rat deciding to turbo-charge its wheel to boost its leg power, only to find that everyone in its community is dizzy because everyone finds themselves on a race to have the most powerful gorgeous legs, only to get spun out by the race to be “the-most…”.
It seems the tide is turning. People are figuring out it’s not just about the numbers. It’s about beauty and virtue too. It always has been.
And the innovators and early adopters are writing and speaking and living the example of a new way of life. And this way of life is deeply connected to the matters of the heart and soul, and we can only move forward with courage and curiosity. Not just competence and competition.
And what does that “race” really mean in “human race”?
My best ideas come from the leisure times; I’m sure it happens to you too as you walk to work. The “race” is detrimental to true success. Really enjoyed this article.
Thanks a lot. and yes same for me. You need the quiet unstructured moments for creativity to truly flourish
I don’t know if you are in linked in? But I’m going to share this with my community there.
I think this is an important read.
Love how you explain how we have formed the beliefs we have about rest.
Thanks a lot Caroline. Feel free. I am not on linked in😀
Well hopefully it will send a new reader or two your way - goodness knows I’ve more followers there than here ☺️
That would be amazing 😀
I have always struggled with this issue and feel guilty if I’m not productive 24/7. Thanks for reminding me of the history of this and the impact on my well being.
Great perspective Benjamin.
Rest is a requirement. Too many talk up their time spent working as if it's a good thing. Sure, you worked 64 hours this week, congrats. How many of them were productive?
Exactly! It’s not about the quantity it’s about the quality
Fantastic article 🙂
It took burnout & developing an autoimmune condition for me to become aware of the huge importance of rest.
Rest should be a priority for everyone, not an afterthought…
The phrase I despise is “I’ll rest when I die.” Without prioritising self care, there’s a good chance of premature death or living with a serious illness.
True wealth starts with good health ❤️
You know what…I think I might also have developed an autoimmune disease because of stress. It’s just a hunch but the timing with my last job makes it seem very plausible…it’s not to be underestimated
It felt a bit weird hitting like when you said you think you might have an autoimmune condition… but I like that it resonated with you ☺️
Some are difficult to diagnose, are you still getting any symptoms or has it resolved since you left your last job?
No still getting it…looks like it’s one of those “for life” things…but it’s not that bad I don’t want to be over dramatic here
I get it and hope you’re daily life isn’t too affected🤞🏻
This resonates with me, thank you. Having a few days off at the moment and reminding myself "that's ok"
Thank you. Yeah there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Take all the time you need
Amen - this is so aligned with my thinking. After years of pushing through I see that it strips my happiness. Goals are fine, but if you're body is saying no, what's it worth?
It is worth nothing…and will only lead to disappointment and destruction…we need a cultural shift 😀
Oh wow, this came in at the right time for me 👍
Thanks Wouter. Glad to hear hear it :)
Even being fully aware of the importance of rest, I’ve found it challenging to truly embrace and consistently practice it. It takes time to become seamless and firm in knowing when to hit pause and rest—especially when it’s so easy to get lost in the work. I’ve struggled with this a lot too, especially in the beginning. However, I’m actively working on it, and it’s definitely getting better. Rest is a crucial part of the work, not a luxury. Being in a burnout, especially a bad one, is not productive at all. I hope more people will learn to let go of the guilt around rest and see it as a tool for growth.
Thank you for sharing this Benjamin !!
That is my hope that more people will start to treat themselves with the respect they deserve. Burnout is a term that has become popular but it’s not just feeling tired or overwhelmed it can actually have a lifelong catastrophic impact…you may never be able to work on the field again if you push yourself too hard… it’s easy to see this with athletes and the physical form but we don’t get it when it comes to the mind and spirit
I really grateful that you agitated this issue Benjamin. For me capitalism is not incidental to our demonisation of rest it’s integral. Rest is a political issue. Have you read The Double X Economy?
Thanks Marisa. No I haven't actually. I'll have to check that up.
It's about how global economies lose out when women are economically disadvantaged. Great read.
A great post on the pandemic of relentless work-work-work "ethic". Remember, the uncommon "common-sense" truism-of-the-twentieth-and-nineteenth-century : "ALL WORK AND NO PLAY, MAKES JACK A DULL BOY"?
We don't want that now. Cheer up Jack .)
The historical perspective on rest and leisure was interesting. I like the way the ancient Greeks viewed leisure. For me, rest means rest. Leisure means hobbies and self-development work (reading, studying, etc.).
I really like this post Ben. Got me thinking.
Seasons and tides point to the natural ebb and flow of life.
We, with climate control and similar power at our fingertips - we can mechanise life for the better and for our detriment. We push the community past the optimum in that upside down U curve.
I imagine a rat deciding to turbo-charge its wheel to boost its leg power, only to find that everyone in its community is dizzy because everyone finds themselves on a race to have the most powerful gorgeous legs, only to get spun out by the race to be “the-most…”.
It seems the tide is turning. People are figuring out it’s not just about the numbers. It’s about beauty and virtue too. It always has been.
And the innovators and early adopters are writing and speaking and living the example of a new way of life. And this way of life is deeply connected to the matters of the heart and soul, and we can only move forward with courage and curiosity. Not just competence and competition.
And what does that “race” really mean in “human race”?