Sometimes, rest is the most productive thing we can do

The house felt strangely quiet after I dropped Luca off for his first day back at school. I had pictured myself launching straight into my to-do list, powering through the tasks that had been waiting over the summer holidays. But instead, a wave of exhaustion settled over me. The full, beautiful, chaotic holidays had taken more out of me than I realised.

Rather than feeling ready to charge ahead, I felt worn out—like I needed time to catch my breath before diving back in.

You too?

It’s been a practice for me to give myself permission to pause. So this year, instead of pushing through, I slowed down.

I let myself rest without trying to earn it first.

I made time for gentle walks and did things just for me. I created space for quiet, and reminded myself that starting the year with softness doesn’t mean I’m falling behind.

Guilt did try to creep in—telling me I should be doing more, that I was wasting time. But I kept coming back to this truth:

Sometimes, rest is the most productive thing we can do.

This experience is exactly what so many of the women I work with navigate—wanting to keep up, do it all, be everything to everyone, but feeling the weight of it all. Sometimes, what we really need isn’t another strategy or productivity hack, but space to listen to ourselves, to get clear on what truly matters, and to move forward in a way that feels good.

If you’re feeling the pull to pause but struggling to give yourself permission, know that you’re not alone. This is the kind of conversation I hold space for, and if it’s something you need, I’d love to walk alongside you. Just book in a connection call to chat about how I can support you.