Recently, a client told me she was worried about taking the time to rest that she needed because her spouse was doing a lot of work. She didn’t want it to be unfair. And, she’s not the only client to share this sort of concern with me. 

Ladies. We need to talk. 

To be proficient at Slacker Magic, you’ll need to shift your focus from other people to your own rest. Which means you’ll need to turn your attention to your own body, the sensory signals it’s sending, and the messages it’s subtly (or not so subtly) sharing. 

Which also means you’ll need to allow yourself to shift your attention to YOU. 

If this feels hard, it’s totally understandable. Culture trains us to focus on others and to pay less attention to our voices and needs. You might feel like a jerk at first for allowing yourself to listen to your internal signals and take action around them. 

The payoff, though, is huge. As soon as you start resting more after too much depletion, you’ll turn into a happier, healthier, more connected individual. You’ll find that you’re far more productive when you’re actually tuning in to your body’s needs. 

And, just to turn that argument all the way on its head, isn’t it fairer to those around you when you can show up at your best instead of half-dead and drooling? 

Here’s the assignment I’m giving you in case you need it:

1. From now on, assume that you need way more rest than you think you do. Take it.
2. Treat yourself like you have a bug and need rest at least once a month. (Seriously.) 
3. Throw away the yardstick that you’re using to measure when/if you should rest or play. 
4. Listen to your body’s requests and act on them as much as possible. (This goes for both rest and play!)
5. Re-read this blog post anytime you think you don’t deserve rest. (You’ve been brainwashed! We’re undoing that.)

Need support around this? Come hang out in the Mind-Body Magic Facebook Group where we regularly celebrate resting and honoring your needs.