Rest isn’t lazy By Louise East
FOR SO LONG I FELT MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY AGITATED IF I TRIED TO RELAX. EVEN WATCHING TV WITHOUT MULTITASKING WAS UNCOMFORTABLE. EVERY SPARE MOMENT WAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE PRODUCTIVE, HARDWORKING AND TO ACHIEVE THINGS.
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e’re taught from a young age that this is what successful people do. Personally, I looked to my father who worked tirelessly, from early in the morning to late at night, mostly 7 days a week. I regarded him as the smartest and hardest working person I knew. If only I could be like him. I got my wish but it didn’t feel as good as I thought it would. While I was achieving things and earning compliments for my high capacity and driven nature, I was exhausted, stressed and prone to regular emotional collapses due to overwhelm. I’ve come to realise that many women are experiencing this. Just as I was, they are bound to their ever growing to-do lists and constant drive to make the most of every moment. To prove that they used them wisely. No resting or taking it easy for fear of not doing enough, or perhaps, not being enough. Adding motherhood to the mix amplifies this effect. In modern western society, mothers are expected to be the primary carers for
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their children, while also financially contributing to the household. In the majority of households, mothers are still taking on the bulk of domestic duties. The idealised (yet unrealistic) good mother does this all herself, putting everyone else’s needs first and never needs a break because it’s so fulfilling and she’s full of energy. In this context, rest is considered lazy, selfish, weak or evidence that you’re not doing a good enough job. This is why so many women feel guilty for taking a break. But what if this wasn’t true?
