Learning to Rest: Reflections on Growth, Hustle, and Letting Go

As I approach a milestone birthday, I’ve found myself reflecting on the highs and lows of my life so far - the goals, the gratitude, the regrets, and yes, even the enemies (kidding… mostly). Somewhere between my 127-song nostalgia playlist and my birthday questions, I realized that one of my biggest areas of growth this year has been learning to rest.

Rest used to feel impossible. I’ve always been someone who thrives in high-achieving, high-stress environments, both personally and professionally. In my counseling work, I see this in so many of my clients too: brilliant, capable people whose nervous systems have learned to live in overdrive. Rest sounds lovely in theory, but in practice, it can feel uncomfortable… even scary.

In my latest essay on Substack, I explore why so many of us struggle to rest, especially those of us who’ve spent years surviving on adrenaline and perfectionism. I also share gentle, practical ways to begin making peace with rest and learning to trust stillness again.

Photo by Jo Heubeck & Domi Pfenninger on Unsplash

Read the full essay on Substack!

If you're interested in learning more about my counseling approach, visit the About Me page.