I will quickly admit I’m a bad rester. I don’t think I’m alone, we live a society obsessed with productivity. But I definitely want to change that. I went from full time nursing student to wedding planning and starting a career as a Nurse Practitioner so I always had an excuse to be doing something.
Well, I’ve graduated and also gotten married. So now I’m transitioning into a season of less intensity and I want to learn how to really rest. Nick and I both do. Practically, that means shutting off the computer in the evenings and most importantly, completely resting one day a week. I suck at it now, but summer 2017 will be all about not sucking at resting. For me, that full rest day is Sunday. But it can be any day you want. Pick yo day.
It feels really weird and unnatural for me to not be checking something off. So I’m pumped to make rest a natural flow of life. Cheers to less cortisol!
Yesterday was Sunday, I was coming off two back to back shifts and sooooo looking forward to chilling the freak out. Here are some things that I find restful, and you might too. But you know what I’m going to say…do what works for YOU. Variety is the nut butter of life.
Reading // After a solid 8 hours of sleep, I rolled out of bed, Nick made coffee and I read Ann Voskamp’s, The Broken Way, for a while. I adore Ann V.
Breakfast // I loveeeeeeee a slow breakfast. So I made us buckwheat pancakes using this recipe and added chocolate chips and blueberries. With scrambled eggs and a super ripe mango. Plus more coffee.
Perusing recipes // I flipped through this cookbook for some meal inspiration and made a rough grocery list for the week. Grocery shopping is not restful so I won’t be doing that on Sundays. I usually go to the store on Mondays after I see clients in the morning when the grocery is way quieter. This week we’re having kale and white bean chicken soup and some green lentil dal – plus I’ll bake something at some point.
GF time // I ran up the west side highway to meet my friend Hannah Jane for a walk. Girlfriend walk or brunch dates and slow runs with music in the sunshine are restful for me. If exercising isn’t restful or freeing for you..DON’T DO IT. Intense workouts are not restful for me, so I keep the movement less intense because that feels good.
Worship + Church // Since it was so nice out, I biked up to church and met Nick before walking in – he was hanging with a friend for a little before hand. Separate friend time is super healthy for us and we haven’t had reallly any since getting back. Yay for friend dates. I love the area where our church is because it’s so quiet and gorgeous. Our church doesn’t own the building, but instead rents the church out in the evening, but I’m so in love with how pretty it is.
Eating dinner out // cooking + doing dishes at night when I (Nick too) am tired feels very, not restful. We almost always go out to dinner after church on Sundays. Sometimes with just us, sometimes with friends depending on how much time we’ve had together that week. Yesterday, we met up with friends for pizza. I was pumped because I had been craving pizza all day.
No dishes, no errands, no computer time, nada. A really restful Sunday.
What do you guys find restful? Share in the comments!
That breakfast looks delish!
🙂
As the mother of a 3 year old, this day sounds heavenly!! Rest is an entirely foreign concept in my current season, and that’s ok. Wouldn’t trade it!
Enjoy every minute of your restful Sundays!
seasons ebb and flow, hoping you find rest soon!
I absolutely love this! I make Sundays my restful days too! Sleeping in, brunch with friends, grocery shopping (because that is HAPPY for me), some light baking, lots of reading, a walk in the sunshine, and dinner OUT. Thanks for sharing Robin <3
great great great day girl!
Relaxing for me? Like you, I love reading, especially fiction! Holy yoga is the best. And last but not least, going to Whole Foods (by myself) and eating a big box from their hot and salad bars. So glad your back after some well-deserves time off, and I love your posts!
i’ve heard amazing things about holy yoga- I need to try. your day sounds great!
Sunday is my rest day too and this past Sunday was AMAZING! Sleeping in; brunch; a swim in the ocean; lots of couch time. Gosh it felt good and a reminder that I need to do it every week. I feel so much more refreshed and energized for the week ahead. Happy Monday!
swimming in the ocean! so fab!
This was really helpful to read. I love when people make a point to take REST days (which don’t include “busy-ing” yourself all day. You did things you enjoyed, and didn’t make a point to be “on the go” all day. That is a rest day in my mind. It bothers me when people do an “active rest day” as their rest day… that isn’t REST! 🙂
active rest does NOT equal rest. so with you 🙂
I love this. God has been calling me to Sabbath and it’s been hard. This was a good reminder. I’ve read some awesome books about Sabbath that helps remind me of the purpose of resting. For me, it’s mainly that I am not loved because of the things I do.
awww india, thanks for sharing. trusting that your heart hears and grips on to the truth that you are lovely and lovable, RIGHT NOW. xo
Yessss girl. Sabbath-ing is so challenging, so way to go! It’s definitely something I am growing in as well. A couple weeks ago, our pastor used an analogy about productivity as idolatry and I was like “oh snap!” Resting truly is an act of worship and an act of trust–proclaiming that God is trustworthy enough to release “getting things done” for a day. Seriously, way to go! Can’t wait to see how God moves through it for you! Sounds like y’all are having a blast settling in to life with each other… yay! 🙂 xoxo
definitely an idol of mine. hi, i’m robyn and I have idols. you’re not alone 🙂
hope you are doing well too! xo
Why is rest so hard? Like another commenter, I have an 11 month old, so rest days are a little different for my family but we still find ways to get it done e.g. sleeping in (one of us and the other has an option for a nap), walks with the babe, reading, ordering dinner, watching a movie or show. I REALLY need to start omitting screen time but it’s so hard! I am going to try that one day this week. Love this post!
Nick has been SO helpful in shutting off screens at least an hour before bed so maybe your husband can help in that? its hard though!
Amen! I used to feel guilty after getting taking out during weekends but it’s amazing how much stress it decreases (as a nurse myself)! Additional ways of decreasing stress is also avoiding stores on the weekend.. I’d rather go after work on the weekday.
I’m working on the physical aspect. My workout routine is so regimented and routine in my mind but it’s not always enjoyable. Praying on how that will look going forward.
hi to another nurse! 🙂
so agree on zero errands on the weekend…it’s stressful and chaotic to me.
thinking of you as you work towards mindful movement xoxo
Slow breakfasts are my number one favorite way to rest. I often wake up earlier on weekdays just so I can make time to ease into my day. I love writing for my new blog, as well as BAKING for my roommates 🙂 Walks without anything but my body at sunset are amazing…followed by some dark chocolate. Self-care and rest are so hard but so important; thanks for sharing!
I loveeee easing into the day too – so with you on that. and BAKING YES.
love all this julianne!
Love this! The other day my counselor said to me, “Maybe God is just pointing out that you are bad at resting.” Ha! Definitely an area I am growing in as well. Devo + pancakes + church sounds like the best sabbath ever!
aren’t we all always growing in resting? 🙂
I am terrible with rest too. I feel I always have to be doing SOMETHING, be “productive” in the traditional sense. I forget that rest can be productive too!
Activities that I have found restful include:
– writing in my planner
– coloring!
– reading a book
totally have to add coloring to my restful list – love that!
I love a good rest day! My rest days used to be going for a long walk/mountain hike with friends or my husband, lots of coffee, pastries or ice cream (weather dependent), and reading the news paper. Now, with an almost two year old, things are different and I’m trying to figure out what a rest day looks like. I used to get a little frustrated that I couldn’t really “rest” but needed to change my frame of mind. Relaxing= refreshing and doing something new to me. yesterday I felt like I nailed it. A short early morning run, a big pancake, eggs, and bacon breakfast for all of us, going to the park and running around in the sun, playing with worms in the garden, and having a BBQ with friends and their little ones. Yup, I was wiped out at the end but went to bed with a smile.
that sounds like a perfect day that I would love too 🙂 thanks for sharing Christine!
Have you read “Rhythms of Rest” by Shelly Miller? It will give you such a great perspective on the Sabbath and some practical ways to implement it in your life. Highly recommend!
nope but adding that to my list!
Hi Robyn!
I loved this post, and I totally relate! I am also deeming this summer a summer of rest and recovery, and your blog has inspired me to begin my own blog relating to rest snd several others aspects of my lie I am seeking to change. Thank you for your words of truth!
so glad it’s inspired you Laura – I’m with you this summer!
Ah, your blog is seriously always so therapeutic to me. Always reminding me to treat myself WELL. I’m definitely a high octane human being who loves HIIT and being busy and traveling but I find myself craving having Friday nights to myself and reading, quiet, walking instead of running/weights or the extra spoon of pb because I WANT it and I do not have a reason why I need to be cutting fats. Idk, your posts are always so reassuring for the soul. Restful for me is doing a 40 minute walk first thing after I wake up and then having a slooooow breakfast with as many cups of coffee as I please and my bible! Can’t usually do that with a 12 hr shift but on my days off? Love it. OK sorry for the rant on your post! haha.
ohh I’m so glad it’s a place of soul refreshment 🙂 that sounds like a super restful way to start the day. thanks of sharing! xoxo
slow breakfasts with my husband are the best! I am guilty of filling my days off from work with chores and errands instead of restful things. This post inspired me to take out my little self-care note and add a few things that would make for a restful day. 🙂
I can easily slip into that too so I know what you mean 🙂
Sounds like your new “season” will be VERY restful <3 I find reading. biking with my little guys in the bike trailer. eating out. or just sitting in the sunshine very restful!
sitting in the sunshine is THE BEST!
I absolutely love this. I will be using this post as inspiration for my future Sundays (they’re already the most restful days for me)! Thank you! xo
ohh so glad 🙂