You're not lazy, you're tired, and here's your permission slip to rest!

I pulled an oracle card a few days ago. The ‘Rest’ Card.

As soon as I read that word, my body let out a huge sigh. In that moment I surrendered to the gift of this season. A gift that, in our culture, is sadly synonymous with attributes like laziness, weakness, quitting, giving up, and giving in.

Perhaps there is something innate though too, when we are tired, to fight it. *Just look at the resistance children have toward sleep. I mean they fight it until they can’t fight it anymore. Until something inside or outside makes it feel safe enough somehow to let go.

(*Watch this reel I just posted on Instagram to see what I mean and follow!)

The oracle booklet went on to say that the pressure to keep going, to keep pushing, and performing, for fear of things not happening, actually works against the energy that yields the outcomes we desire. The next thing will arise from rest and trust. Yes, also preparation. Yes, also actions at the right time. But just as spring arises from winter, rest is so often the step we skip.

We pass right over winter. But nature and creation requires periods of dormancy, of restoration. That is what builds the wellspring of energy for spring energy to burst forth most vibrantly in its season. Growth seasons are richer for the time spent regenerating. Unchecked growth is cancer.

Birth is a perfect example of this too. Babies are not born with one constant long contraction. Between each exertion comes a moment of rest. A time when baby and mother or birthing person has a chance to recover and gather strength to go again.

In early labor, clients often mistakenly think they should get up and go for walks and climb stairs, but doulas and midwives actually encourage rest when things are getting started. Fear and excitement may fool us into feeling an urge to rush it, but no need. The time for work will come.

So in short, here’s your permission slip to rest.

To harmonize with this winter season (at least in the Northern Hemisphere). If you need it. Which you most likely do. But really, just listen to your body. It will tell you. If any fear arises from the thought of accepting the invitation to rest, tend to it compassionately.

Like we say to people in early labor too, sleep if you can, but if you can’t sleep, at least rest.