The Rest Continuum – Exploring Three Forms of Rest (Part 2 of 3)

In this episode of the Rest of Us podcast, host Dana Tenille Weekes delves further into the concept of the rest continuum, focusing specifically on two forms of rest: doing nothing/being and restoring. 

Dana explains the importance of cultivating space for rest (in addition to living in a rest mindset) by illustrating how each form of rest can help us reconnect with our agency and sense of belonging. The episode concludes with reflective questions to help listeners incorporate and embrace these forms of rest into our everyday lives.

What You’ll Settle Into

• How your agency and belonging only exist in their fullness when you cultivate space and tend to them consistently. 
• Why creating spaces that remind and root you in your agency and belonging is a necessary part of life. No one else is going to do that for you.

Key Quotes & Insights

“Doing nothing/being is an action that allows and reminds you that your obligation to this world is to be without performing, without producing. All it is asking of you is to be.”

“To do nothing in this society is often associated with laziness and being unproductive. But guess what, we are not commodities. We are living beings (emphasis on beings) and are owed the right, space, and understanding to just be.”

Restoring rest is an action responding to a specific event that depletes your energy. This is all about addressing your energy levels. Think about fueling or charging a car. Or better yet, think about charging your phone.

LENGTH: 18 minutes

00:00 Introduction to the Rest Continuum
00:12 Recap of Part One
01:19 Exploring the Rest Continuum
02:10 Understanding Agency and Belonging
05:24 Doing Nothing and Being
06:34 Challenges of Doing Nothing
10:02 Questions for Reflection on Doing Nothing
10:46 Restoring Rest
13:37 Questions for Reflection on Restoring
14:18 Conclusion and Community Building