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Okay, we all need a break from time to time, but how often do you truly rest?

I’m not talking about sleeping, I mean intentional rest.

As a wife, mom, business owner, friend (oh, how the list goes on), I know that it can be very challenging to even find the time. And then if you’re anything like me, you’re constantly on the move anyway. Actually sitting down to rest can seem almost impossible.

But the thing is, we all need to rest. Even God rested after creating the world. So why is it that so many of us don’t allow the same for ourselves? And how many times have you sat down to rest, but still can’t seem to feel energized?

I recently finished a major creative project I’d been working on for over a month. I seemed to be motivated and able to work at an intense pace until I pushed the last bit of it out. And then I felt exhausted. My work pace seemed to slow to a crawl, and I kept saying over and over that I needed a vacation (although couldn’t actually leave to take one!). After a day or so of this seemed lethargy, I realized I really just needed to rest.

So like any woman needing a break but unable to get away for one, I found other options. This time, I decided to opt for some good red wine, a little dark chocolate and a magazine. I happened to pick up a recent copy of “O” – and found that Martha Beck had written an article on the very same thing: Rest.

It was the justification I needed…I’ve since taken several weeks at a slow pace as I gear up for lots of great new projects and clients this fall. I’ve spent a lot of time summer time fun with my little one. I’ve continuously shut down that voice in my head that says I’m not doing enough. I took time off from writing, but found my creativity emerge in new and different ways. Above all else, I’ve re-energized after giving myself permission to do so. Now that’s intentional rest.

Are you resting at all? With intention? Do tell…