AN INVITATION TO REST

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO INVEST IN YOUR OWN REST…

We live in a culture that encourages a constant state of doing. Busy has become the expectation. We over-schedule, over-commit, and over-extend.

Research would even suggest that how we perceive our level of “busyness” factors significantly into a false sense of self-worth (Bellezza et al., 2017). Scarcity of time has become a badge of honour we strive for, compromising our overall well-being.

When busy becomes a way of life, rest, time for reflection, and acts of self-care tend to fall by the wayside.

“OUR CULTURE ROMANTICIZES THE GLORY OF DOING AND MINIMIZES THE VALUE OF SLOWING DOWN”.

– TINA QUADE

In caring professions, such as Early Childhood Education, this is all the more true. We are, by nature, inclined to say yes, inclined to give, and inclined to prioritize others before ourselves, particularly in the context of our work. This is something we at Strive can attest to firsthand.

Our team’s primary role is to support professional growth by facilitating meaningful opportunities for connection, reflection, and learning. In turn, we find ourselves constantly amazed and inspired by the ways the early years community shows up to participate.

Whether at the end of your long workday, or on a Saturday morning. You show up. While a global pandemic rages on around you. You show up. This dedication to continuous professional learning and building our sectoral capacities absolutely fuels what we do and we are beyond grateful.

Yet while we applaud the unwavering commitment to practice and certainly believe wholeheartedly in the value of professional learning, we have also been reflecting on how our work potentially contributes to the culture of busy.

So we’re trying something a little different.

This month, we have cleared our professional learning calendar.

Yes, you read that correctly.

No workshops, no Communities of Practice, no network meetings.

Nothing.

Instead, we are leaving intentional time and space (and a little bit of gentle encouragement) to rest.

We often turn to rest once we reach a point of extreme exhaustion or burnout when we should instead be actively and habitually investing in our rest.

And by rest, we mean far more than sleep (though sleep is undeniably important). We mean making time for thoughtful, restorative experiences to fuel our bodies, minds, and spirits.

“ALMOST EVERYTHING WILL WORK AGAIN IF YOU UNPLUG IT FOR A FEW MINUTES… INCLUDING YOU.”

– ANNE LAMOTT

THE 7 TYPES OF REST

According to Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, there are 7 types of rest that every person needs:

PHYSICAL REST

Rest that recharges, reinvigorates, and repairs the body. Can be both passive (napping, sleeping) or active (mindful movements, stretching, etc.).

This can look like:

• Breathwork

• Yoga

• Massage Therapy

CREATIVE REST

Rest that inspires wonder and imagination.

This can look like:

• Reading

• Listening to Music or a Podcast

• Spending Time in Nature

SOCIAL REST

Rest that connects us to others and ourselves.

This can look like:

• A Phone Call with a Friend

• Rediscovering a Favourite Hobby

• Setting a Boundary

MENTAL REST

Rest that validates our feelings and provides comfort and safety.

This can look like:

• Therapy

• Journaling

• Practicing Positive Self-Talk

SENSORY REST

Rest that makes space for quiet and low stimulation.

• This can look like

• A Candlelit Room

• Time Away from Screens

• Fresh Air

SPIRITUAL REST

Rest that aligns with what gives us purpose.

This can look like:

• Prayer

• Guided Meditation

• Volunteering

The importance of rest cannot be understated and no matter how busy your day, or week, or month is shaping up to be, our hope is that you’ll invest, even if just for a few moments, in your own rest. And if reading this post is a part of that, we are so very happy you are here. You are worthy and deserving of rest.

Rest isn’t an eraser. Making time for rest won’t mean that you will magically return to less things on your to-do list. What it can do however, is give you a new perspective and feeling about how you move your way through it.

So say yes to rest and stay connected with us this month as we discover ways to engage in rest and dig in to why it matters.

HOW ARE YOU PLANNING TO REST THIS WEEK? SHARE BELOW!