Whether it's work or parenting, give yourself the gift of a 'break' in between

After putting the children to bed, I sit in the quiet living room at night.

As I sigh at the steam rising from the tea in my hands,
I wonder, 'Did I manage to rest well today?'

Are you
gently praising yourself for that?

Between work and parenting,
we carry so many 'things to do' every day,
living our lives by stitching together the gaps in our time.

'If I have time to rest, I should do chores.'

'Did I leave that project at work unfinished?'

Before you know it, aren't you being driven by those inner voices?

But you know, in psychology, rest is
considered a time for 'self-compassion'.

Just by sitting for a moment and taking a deep breath,
your brain's parasympathetic nervous system begins to work, and you feel a sense of relief.

It becomes a form of 'self-maintenance' that gently protects you as you work hard.

This 'break time'
is also known through neuroscience research to be
essential for refreshing memory and concentration.

I, too,
couldn't think of resting as a 'success' in the past.

I was convinced that working hard was the only 'correct answer'.

But the moment I suddenly said to myself while resting,
'You're doing a great job today too,'
the depths of my chest felt warm and fuzzy.

Let's gently accept ourselves for having been able to rest.

It doesn't have to be anything big.

Finishing a cup of coffee,

laughing with your children.

Even in those moments, you can say, 'I really did rest.'

If you are currently feeling
'I should be able to do more,'
'I'm still not there yet...'
if you have those feelings,
as if gently wrapping yourself in both arms,
please praise yourself, even just a little.

Say 'thank you' to yourself for having rested today.

I am still on the journey myself,
but I am also working daily on 'accepting myself as I am'.

I would be happy if I could gently walk alongside your journey somewhere.

Thank you for reading.

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