TL;DR:

• Embrace rest and personalize it for yourself!
• Strategies for rest include making a list of things you WANT to do, weaving things into your day that bring you JOY, taking deep breaths, putting energy into the positives, and getting outside!

You’ve done the hard things and now you simply need rest.

But it doesn’t come easy. It requires the ability to still your mind, heart, and that ever-spinning cycle of busyness that has perpetually taken all of your energy over the past several months.

I’ve discovered that beginnings and endings should be equally respected. Beginnings often have that thrill of what is awaiting us in the unknown, sure to be full of untapped exhilaration and excitement. Endings, however, give a sense of closure with an intentional exodus that may bring conflicting emotions of satisfaction paired with uncertain next steps.

After this roller-coaster year, we all could use a little time to pause and restore the rest that we have craved for so long. Click To Tweet

Ahhh, summer. The unrushed and unhurried season that hopefully provides tranquility in the form of peace and relaxation from mental noise. It’s often in that quiet that we can prioritize our rest. We can take in those slow and undemanding moments to actually hear the goodness of life happening around us.

The concept of slowing down might be a little uncomfortable. That transition from the full-time schedule of keeping twenty-five young students engaged in a classroom to the dramatic opposite of not knowing what day of the week it is usually requires time to adapt.

It’s almost second nature to constantly chase after what comes next, to look ahead at what needs to be done and where we need to go before we have even acknowledged what we have already accomplished. Only when we pause, reflect, and rest can we celebrate all that we are and all that we have done.

Many of us are wired to desire the hustle. There is something inherently attractive about staying connected as we accelerate from one activity to the next, determined to grab hold of those big dreams we are chasing. But if we have honestly learned anything from this past year, we probably understand that even as we are reaching toward a goal with boundless gusto, success can happen even if we are not sprinting at full speed.

How can I embrace this rest and personalize it for ME?

The answer may be easier than the restorative process involved. It requires a shift in perception. The change in pace and routine this past year may have revealed new priorities to consider. Take the time to contemplate how you will slow the pace. Acknowledge that what drains your energy is not necessarily negative by nature. Recognizing those moments of exhaustion can help you positively redirect them.

Fast forward for just a moment. Consider what you want to look back and remember about this summer and your personal rest and restoration. Visualize what will help establish a low-key routine, slow your racing mind, and create a calming balance. Thoughtfully give attention to what will allow you to decelerate and enjoy time to refresh your soul.

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Here are five straightforward strategies that I have put together for my own summer plan of rest.

Please feel free to reach out and hold me accountable, and I would love to do the same for YOU!

1. Make a list of things I WANT to do, not HAVE to do (writing, illustrating, blogging, going to the beach).
2. Intentionally weave into my day those things that bring me JOY (for me, this includes NAPS!).
3. Consciously breathe deeply (inhale 4 seconds, hold 4 seconds, exhale 4 seconds) several times each day.
4. Alleviate anxious thoughts by putting my energy into the positives (turning down that negative soundtrack in my head that says I am not enough).
5. Get outside. Yes, it’s hot. It’s SUMMER! Find an activity in the fresh air, stay well-hydrated, and take a cool shower later.

There you have it. Just an uncomplicated plan with only five calls to action. After this roller-coaster year, we all could use a little time to pause and restore the rest that we have craved for so long.

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About Jillian DuBois

Jillian DuBois currently serves as an elementary school educator in Clearwater, FL. She has worked both in public and private educational settings for over 20 years. Her passion is to initiate, instill, and infuse joy to those in educational leadership through blogs and podcasts. Jillian uses her voice to help foster hope for student equity and empathy. Outside of school, you will find Jillian outdoors, soaking up the sun and surf, or finding new paths to hike with her husband and son. You can visit her website here!