Rest and Recharge: Start the Year With What Matters
We’re at the end of January, and for many of us, the “new year energy” is already starting to dissipate. Maybe you’ve been working hard, chasing goals, and pouring yourself into making this year the year. Or maybe all the challenging things in the news have done a number on you. So let me ask you this: How are you feeling?
Exhausted? Discouraged? On the edge of burnout?
Let’s be honest: The start of a new year can feel overwhelming. There’s so much pressure to immediately start chasing goals and ticking boxes.
But what if this year, you didn’t sprint out of the gate? What if instead, you took a moment to pause, breathe, and rest? Not as a sign of giving up, but as a powerful, intentional way to recharge and refocus.
Here’s the thing—life isn’t a race, and rest isn’t something you “earn.” It’s essential, and January is the perfect time to remind yourself that slowing down isn’t slacking. It’s self-care.
Why Resting Now Can Set You Up for Success Later
You Can’t Pour From an Empty Cup
The energy you started the year with can’t sustain itself if you’re constantly running on fumes. Rest gives you the fuel to keep going—not just for the moment, but for the long haul.It’s Hibernation Season for a Reason
I genuinely wish the new year started in the spring because it doesn't make sense to me in the winter. Nature slows down in the winter—trees go dormant, animals rest. Maybe you’re meant to follow that rhythm too. Leaning into the season can help you recalibrate before spring naturally sets us up to bloom.Burnout Doesn’t Lead to Breakthroughs
When you’re exhausted, creativity dries up, motivation fades, and the joy of the process disappears. Rest creates space for fresh ideas and renewed excitement about your goals.Balance Is the Key to Sustainable Progress
The hustle culture mindset says, “Do more, faster, better.” But real growth comes from balance. When you rest, you honor the ebb and flow of your energy, making it easier to keep going in the long run.
5 Ways to Rest With Intention
If you’re ready to press pause and recharge, here’s how to make it happen:
Reflect on What’s Working (and What’s Not)
Take time to check in with yourself. What’s been fueling you so far? What’s been draining you? Write it down, and let those answers guide where to focus your energy—or pull it back—in the weeks ahead.Find out what kind of rest you need
There are many different kinds of rest so the kind of rest you need will vary based on what’s going on for you. Social rest won’t really help if you really need physical rest, and mental rest doesn't really do much if you need emotional rest.Redefine Productivity
Instead of measuring success by how much you’ve done, ask yourself: What feels meaningful? If rest helps you feel more present, focused, and joyful, that’s productive too. Sometimes we’re so focused on profits or a bottom line that we forget there are other ways to gauge progress. Give yourself credit for the progress you’re making—even if it looks different than you imagined.Create a Rest Ritual
Turn rest into something intentional, not just an afterthought. Light a candle, make your favorite tea, and carve out a dedicated time to slow down each day. Rest isn’t just about doing less—it’s about doing what restores you. We should have moments of rest weekly and every day too.Let Go of Guilt
Rest isn’t lazy or selfish; it’s essential. Remind yourself: You don’t need to earn rest—it’s a necessity just like breathing or sleeping. When those guilty thoughts creep in, remember this truth: Resting now means I can continue to give my best in the long run.
Give Yourself Permission to Slow Down
As January winds down, this is your reminder: It’s okay to take a breath.
So go ahead. Close the laptop, set down the phone, and give yourself the permission to slow down, recalibrate, and rest.
I promise you the world will keep spinning, and your future self will thank you for it. By slowing down now, you’re not falling behind; you’re setting yourself up to thrive