Sit Your Tired Ass Down and Rest!

 I've been visiting a 93-year-old woman with dementia who was recently moved to a convalescent home because she can no longer stay by herself. During my visits, she often becomes agitated, shouting, "I want to go home." All she wants is to sleep in her own bed, watch Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. It's heartbreaking. What's even more painful is that she shares a room with a young woman who looks no older than forty, yet my elderly friend is healthier. The young woman is really ill and will probably die before my friend does.

Life is so unpredictable; none of us are guaranteed anything. Sometimes it feels like we are all just careening toward the inevitable end. We should take the time to appreciate life while we can, rather than pushing ourselves endlessly. We need to take time out to rest.

Barbara Grassey, whose weekly newsletter I love, introduced me to a concept called Toxic Productivity, described by Diana Hill, Ph.D. in Psychology Today. It refers to the pressure we feel to constantly achieve, which can undermine our well-being. Recent studies show alarming rises in anxiety and depression rates in America as people struggle with the pressures of modern life.

I often think of life as a Merry-Go-Round where everyone tries to grab the brass ring of success, the ride accelerating faster and faster until we're left just holding on, hoping not to be thrown off. Dr. Hill states, “The paradox of productivity is that while it drives us toward goals, it can also derail us from our dreams”. This toxic cycle comes partly from biological drives ingrained through evolution and is exacerbated by societal pressures that constantly tell us we're not doing enough or falling behind. These feelings can lead to guilt, anxiety, and a sense of inadequacy.

Jim Rubens, in his 2009 book 'OverSuccess', critiques America's obsession with wealth, fame, power, and perfection, linking it to rising rates of depression, addiction, and societal discontent. Our culture idolizes celebrities and success stories, promoting a false equation between achievement and happiness. Many of us believe we'll be happy if only we work harder, perpetuating a cycle of guilt and self-criticism when success remains out of reach.

Tricia Hersey in her book 'Rest is Resistance' challenges this narrative, urging us to reject the relentless pursuit of success Western culture promotes and prioritize rest as a form of self-care and liberation. In a society that glorifies grind culture, where overwork is praised and rest is seen as a luxury or laziness, Hersey advocates for reclaiming our bodies and minds through rest. It's a crucial step toward healing from the toll of perpetual busyness and reconnecting with ourselves and others.

Rest isn't just a pause from work; it's essential for physical and mental well-being. By embracing rest, we honor our humanity and restore balance in a world driven mad by the mantra of ‘success at any cost’. It's time to resist toxic productivity and embrace the rejuvenating power of rest. It’s time to sit our tired asses down and rest.