This was previously published in our October 2025 issue.
Lately, I’ve been buried under mountains of homework, projects, and readings. It feels as if my desk is swallowing me whole. Every night, I tell myself, “Just one more assignment, just one more chapter, just one more hour,” and before I know it, the clock on my desk is staring back at me, marking midnight. My eyes are dry, my back aches, and my brain runs in circles. At this point, sleep feels like a luxury I can’t afford, and taking a break feels almost wrong. I can’t help but think that if I stop now, I’ll fall behind. Honestly, it’s like I’m on a treadmill of work that never stops, and the harder I push, the more exhausted I get. Yet the pile of work hardly shrinks.
When I was younger, a teacher once told me, “Rest is vital for your growth.” At that moment, her words didn’t resonate with me. I figured it was something teachers were required to say. But as I reflected on her intent I realized that she was right. Rest isn’t optional; it’s part of growth and learning.
At first, I thought powering through was the only way to survive. But slowly, I have started to notice something important. Pushing nonstop doesn’t actually make me more productive; it just makes me tired and stressed. Sometimes even reading a paragraph feels like lifting a boulder. It has started to hit me: rest isn’t slacking; it’s actually part of the work. The truth is, our brains need rest. A short walk, a few minutes of music, or even just taking a quiet moment to yourself can make everything feel lighter and easier.
Learning to take breaks without feeling guilty is still tricky. There’s this tiny, persistent voice in my head that yells, “You should be doing more right now!” But when I do pause, I find myself coming back calmer, more focused, and more prepared to tackle the assignments I have waiting for me. I’ve started to learn that productivity and rest aren’t enemies; they’re teammates. One doesn’t work without the other. Taking care of yourself doesn’t mean that you’re slacking; it means you’re valuing your well-being as much as your work. If we burn out, then nothing gets done, or at least not well.
Recently, I’ve started doing small things to remind myself that rest is okay, such as closing my laptop by 10 p.m., taking my dogs for a walk, or just decompressing for a few minutes in between assignments. Although none of these fixes my stress instantly, they do make my days feel a little lighter. I have begun to view rest not as a reward for finishing my work, but as part of the process of doing it well.
So, if you’re stuck in the same cycle as I am, then here’s a reminder that it’s okay to take a break. You don’t have to be working constantly to get things done. Put your phone down, close your laptop, go outside, or just stare at the ceiling for a few minutes. Give yourself permission to rest. Trust me, you’ll come back calmer, sharper, and ready to handle whatever’s next. Rest isn’t just a pause; it’s a superpower for your brain.
