Take the Damn Nap: Why All-or-Nothing Thinking Keeps You Exhausted
If you’ve ever caught yourself saying, “I’ll rest when everything’s done,” this one’s for you.
Lately, I’ve been seeing so many women holding themselves to nearly impossible standards or refusing to rest altogether. Especially in the fall, when the kids are back in school and social media starts counting down the “100 days left in the year,” the pressure builds.
Everywhere you look, there’s a voice telling you it’s now or never, urging you to do more, be more, and finally check off everything on the list.
But rest is not a reward. It’s part of healing.
Years ago, I wrote a Facebook post about my best friend, a brand-new mom who was so exhausted she believed even a nap wouldn’t help. She refused to let me take the baby because, in her words, “a nap won’t fix this kind of tired.”
So she did.
It didn’t erase her stress, but it gave her breathing room, enough to feel human again.
Now, take the damn nap has become our shorthand reminder when either of us starts resisting the small, simple things that help us feel better.
Small Steps Count More Than You Think
In a season full of “new season, new you” messaging, it’s easy to slip into all-or-nothing thinking.
We tell ourselves it has to be perfect or it doesn’t count. Every workout, every meal, every checkbox complete, or we’ve failed.
But real wellness doesn’t work that way.
It’s built through small, consistent choices that give your body and mind a chance to reset.
No time for a full workout? Take a walk with your kids after dinner.
Can’t cook a homemade meal? Grab something nourishing from a fast-casual spot.
No week-long vacation in sight? Try a 20-minute bath with Epsom salts.
These small acts won’t fix everything, but they matter. They help you breathe, recover, and build momentum again.
So, how can you take the damn nap today? Maybe it’s a walk, a quiet cup of tea, or an early bedtime. Whatever it is, give yourself permission to rest before your body forces you to.
Because rest is not laziness, it’s strategy.
Ready for More?
If you enjoy reflections like this, join my weekly email list where I share simple, evidence-based ways to support your energy, digestion, and hormones. There’s a button below to sign up. Your future self will thank you.