#92 Rest Is A Sacred Practice, Not A Reward
Sep 19, 2025We’ve been conditioned to treat rest like a trophy. Like it’s something we get after we’ve finished the to-do list, crushed the meeting, checked all the boxes, or proven our worth.
But here’s the truth:
Rest is not something you earn. It’s something you need.
The GREAT news is, you can rest right in the middle of a full workday.
Whether you’re managing a classroom, a company, a toddler, or all three, your nervous system is carrying a lot. Your body is talking to you. Your soul is waving a little white flag.
So let’s stop treating rest like it’s optional. Let’s start treating it like what it truly is: sacred.
The Signs Are All Around You
You know when your family members haven’t rested, and you certainly know when your co-workers need rest, because you can feel their frazzled energy as they brush by you, snap at another, and mumble under their breath in the next room.
But…
Can you recognize when YOU need it?
Sacred Rest Can Look Like:
✨ Sitting in silence between meetings
✨ Eating a nourishing snack and actually tasting it
✨ Drinking a glass of water like it’s a blessing
✨ Closing your eyes and asking, “What do I need right now?”
✨ Escaping to the bathroom just to breathe and disconnect from the energy around you
These tiny pauses aren’t frivolous; they’re healing.
They reset your nervous system.
They refill your emotional cup.
They remind you that you’re human, not a machine.
A Conversation That Brought It All Home
Just yesterday, someone said something that was spot on:
“ Asia is about the future. America is about more, more, more, and Europe is about living.”
Whew.
It landed. It lingered. It echoed. Because it was what I knew to be so true.
Our daughter, who is fresh off her first trip to Paris, confirmed it when she shared, “They’ve really figured out work/life balance!”
And they HAVE. I’ve witnessed it myself. Though I haven’t experienced Asia, our son lived in Japan for five years, and I have his experiences to go off of.
Life is all about balance.
About knowing when to pause. About weaving rest into the rhythm of everyday life. About honoring presence over productivity.
So What Are We Getting Wrong?
In the U.S., we often measure our worth by our output.
We glorify hustle. We idolize burnout.
We say, “I’m so busy” like it’s a badge of honor, and I’ve talked about this before.
And here’s the hard truth:
You don’t need to be in Paris to practice those beautifully sacred values of rest.
You can choose to bring ease and rhythm and sacred pauses into your day, right here, right now.
One Simple Practice
Here’s something you can try today:
The Sacred Pause:
- Pause.
Stop what you’re doing for 60 seconds. - Feel your body.
Place your hand on your heart or your belly, or simply rest your palms on your lap. Feel the warmth. - Breathe.
Inhale deeply through your nose.
Exhale slowly through your mouth.
Do this three times. - Ask:
“What do I need right now?”
Then listen. Trust the whisper.
You might need movement.
You might need stillness.
You might need to cry. Or laugh. Or just breathe.
That’s your sacred rest talking.
Journal Prompt for You
Where can I weave sacred rest into my day without waiting for permission? What would it feel like to pause simply because my spirit needs it?
Want More?
The podcast below is a gentle reminder that the connection, comfort, and love we’re often looking for outside of ourselves come from within. Take your rest to the next level…self-love.
🎧 “Look to Yourself For the Relationship You Crave”
My Love Note to You
You don’t have to hustle for your worth.
You don’t have to wait for burnout to deserve a break.
You can choose sacred rest right now because your body, your heart, and your beautiful spirit are worthy of it.
No permission slip needed.
Rest.
You’re doing enough. You are enough.
If you've got some stories to share or questions to ask, I'd love to hear them. Your insights and experiences might just be the spark that another parent needs to hear. Leave a comment or DM me on Instagram at @jenncaputo because when we lift each other up, we all grow wiser.
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Remember, it's not about being perfect. It's about being easy with the practice.
