Resting Is Your Job Too

Johanna Stamps affirms the importance of rest for busy moms—even if we don't think we need it or have time for it.

I had an incredible conversation with a 40-year counseling veteran this week, and she told me something I will never forget:   

“When counselors tell me they are close to burnout, I tell them, ‘You have not been doing your job.’”  

As a mental health professional, this shook me. I instantly rated myself on a spectrum of rest that looked like this:  

On that scale, I found I was closer to 5. This discovery became such a pivot for me and a reminder that to make the impact I yearn to make, I need energy to do it. And energy comes from resting, not just when I’m desperate for it. 

Where do you rate yourself on this spectrum? 

You may not be a mental health professional, but let’s face it, many of us take on jobs where other people rely on us. Maybe it’s as a parent, friend, child, or worker. We fill roles in people's lives that can deteriorate us over time if we’re not finding time to care for ourselves.   

If you’re not convinced, think about this:  

How might someone close to you benefit if you are fully rested?  

I know that when I’m rested, I can listen intently, act immediately, give my best advice, and show up for others. I have a deep desire to be a place of rest for my clients and my family, but I can’t do that if I don’t have rest for myself.   

There are some warning signs we have to look out for when we begin hitting a 3 or lower on the scale.  

Use this as an example and circle which reactions apply to you on the list below.  

Are you:  

• irritable? 
• struggling with insomnia? 
• constantly on high alert? 
• struggling with poor eating habits?  
• only able to give 50%?  
• noticing small ticks and habits?  
• making bad choices?  
• reaching the end of your rope?  
• spending money you don’t have?  
• blank?   

What if you circled half of the above list? Maybe more? What now?  

1. Start small: I am a believer in micro-movements. So often, we want to start by doing the big thing, but the greater success is often in the small movements toward a larger goal. That might be a few extra minutes of quiet, a walk to the river, or fasting from your cell phone for an afternoon.  
   
   
2. Assess all your excuses: What is coming up as you make these small changes? What is getting in the way? What desire is there? Then, turn it around. 
   
   
3. Think big! If we can overcome our excuses and even our HUGE barriers, then a big time of rest might be possible. Think about it and dream about it.  

We need to be fed, and too many things in our life are starving us. If we don’t rest, we won’t be able to do all the things God has dreamed for us!   

Here are a few questions for you as you begin this weekend: 

• When was the last time you took time to rest—truly rest? 
• What is holding you back from taking the rest you need? 
• How will those around you benefit if you take the time to rest?  

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Copyright 2024 Johanna Stamps
Images: Bee and flower photo copyright 2024 Johanna Stamps; all others Canva