Why do we view rest as unproductive?

I’ve been so moved on the engagement on last week’s post about The Art of Wintering. Clearly, I’m not alone in struggling with the ability to slow down or in viewing rest as something “unproductive.” I’ll be the first to admit—it’s a tough mindset to shake.

But what if we reframed this entirely? What if we could move through life on fewer cylinders, pouring from a cup that’s full—maybe even overflowing—instead of one running on empty? What if we could parent with patience, go through our days unrushed and unhurried, and feel worthy of rest without needing to cross off half our to-do list first?

Take last weekend, for example. By most standards, Sunday was a pretty “lazy” day. My daughter and I went to the store to pick out some holiday gifts, which I later wrapped. I did three loads of laundry, re-routed our holiday vacation to a spot that doesn’t require flights, called two friends, and (if I’m honest) spent plenty of time scrolling on my phone while my daughter cuddled next to me on the couch with her iPad.

If you asked me how the day felt in the moment, I might have said, “unproductive.” But looking back, I realize I did a lot. The most important thing I did all day? A simple, 30-minute walk on my favorite trail. My shoes got muddy from the melting snow, but it felt so good to move my body and be surrounded by nature. Honestly, even if that’s all I had done, the day would’ve felt valuable.

I’ve spent decades squeezing productivity out of every corner of my day. My to-do list for this week is still long, but I’m actively resisting the urge to default into a “chicken with its head cut off” mode. That frantic energy—where my nervous system is stuck in fight or flight—doesn’t feel good, and it doesn’t serve me.

So yes, there will still be meltdowns, and the long, unstructured days of the holiday season can be a challenge. But I’m reminding myself to embrace slower mornings, moments of stillness, and the dreaming that comes with unhurried time. Because the truth is, we need that space to activate the creative, imaginative part of our brains.

And speaking of dreams, I’m focusing on a big one this week as I head to the recording studio to narrate my audiobook! It’s surreal to see this part of my author journey come to life, and I can’t wait to share how it all goes. Wish me luck that my voice holds up in this Colorado winter air! 😊

For the world needs who we were made to be!