Rest Isn’t a Reward: Lessons from Burnout and Beyond

Last night our circle came together to explore Burnout by the Nagoski sisters. What unfolded wasn’t just a discussion about a book. It became a reminder of how many of us are quietly carrying too much and how deeply we long for permission to slow down.

We didn’t talk about tips or productivity hacks. Instead we found ourselves settling into something far more honest. We spoke about the stress we hold in our bodies and the way our nervous systems try to protect us even when our calendars say we should be fine. One idea landed with all of us. Completing the stress cycle isn’t about doing more. It is about letting your body know it is safe now.

What surprised us were the tiny moments that offered the biggest release. A warm bath. Music played on repeat. A long hug that lets your shoulders drop. A short gratitude list that brings you back to what helps you feel grounded. Ordinary rituals that become gateways back to yourself.

We also touched on the weight that many neurodivergent people carry. The constant monitoring. The pressure to keep up. The quiet exhaustion that comes from trying to fit into environments that were never designed with our brains in mind. Naming it out loud felt like exhaling after holding your breath for too long.

What the book and the conversation gave us was a shared understanding. Rest is not something you earn by surviving your to-do list. Rest is what allows you to feel human again. It is what makes space for connection and compassion, not as signs of weakness but as foundations for resilience.

As we move from autumn into winter, I want to offer you the same reminder. You are allowed to pause. You are allowed to honour your rhythms. You are allowed to take care of yourself before the world starts asking for more from you.

Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is stop trying to be endlessly strong and instead let yourself be real.

Let yourself rest.

Let yourself return to you.