I like to keep busy. Over the course of my life, I’ve held several jobs simultaneously and once it was up to four. The reasons are the same two for most people: debt and bills. Even when my main focus was homeschooling my daughter, I worked odd jobs and threw pots in my ceramics studio. Most days I worked twelve hours, always chasing “more”.  More money, more work, more coffee. Even though I was no longer in debt, my income rode the Sine wave of feast or famine.

In an ill-fated 2nd marriage, when my income was no longer primary, I spent my days learning about the craft of writing in hopes of developing that into a full-time gig. The spring before my daughter graduated high school, I rejoined the workforce fulltime, and jammed writing into my spare minutes. Years later, finally able to step away from the employer scenario, my work habits were atrociously out of balance. I was accustomed to writing nights, weekends and holidays. I was always on, always working or looking for the next writing job. Suddenly, everywhere I looked, people burnout was a hot topic.

An article that started, “You can burn out doing what you love…” made me think about my current trajectory. How long could I possibly continue at this pace?

Have you ever seen a child in desperate need of a nap? Interestingly, a child is not trained to fight sleep, or resist napping. In spite of being the best thing for their growing bodies, children delay sleep as long as possible, until their little bodies just drop like a call in a dead zone.

I was much like that child. As an adult, I’d learned how to—however temporarily—circumvent rest. By tanking up on high voltage coffee, sugar or energy drinks, I can power through. Have you ever worked too-long hours with no breaks, and forgone sleep?

 “He makes me to lie down in green pastures…” is a verse in Tehillim 23:2 and sounds like the words of a reluctant child whose parent insists that he rest. To avoid burnout, balance would have to be more important than busyness. Rest more important than remuneration, if I wanted to last for the long haul.

I noticed a lot of super busy folks in my circle of associates were suffering with fibromyalgia, heart problems, aches and pains, gastrointestinal ailments, gall bladder flare-ups and other mysterious pains. Coincidence? I often felt frantic and edging toward collapse, undergirded by the constant feeling that I was forgetting something. An article about time affluence revealed that busyness really isn’t where it’s at. (See Forbes link at the bottom of this page.)

Knowing how much sleep I really needed may have saved me. Still, I’d failed to cut my hours after launching my business. Then as if on cue, the “work faucet” began dripping instead of gushing. I made exactly enough to pay bills and not a dime more. Obviously something bigger was behind this. All signs pointed to rest, but I struggled with the very idea of it. A simple principle kept coming to mind so I looked it up.

And Elohim barak (blessed) the seventh day and made it qodesh (holy), because on it He rested from all his work which He had made. ~ Bereshith 2:3

I couldn’t remember the last time I had allowed myself to rest, nor could I say with any conviction that it had ever been my practice to do so. It seemed time to rethink the hamster-wheel of endless working. Shemot 20:8-11 Elohim is very clear: we are commanded to rest. What would my life look like if I did? Would I fall behind on my work?

What does this mean for you?

You may be among the wise few who plans time away from work. In our culture, it can feel like a badge of honor to say “I’ve been so busy!” instead of “I finally got the rest I needed!” I can get away with bad habits for so long and then payment comes due. Most often at a high cost to health.

How long have I been missing out on time with family and friends? A day of reflection is good for the soul. How long have I been missing out on time with family and friends? A day of reflection is good for the soul. It allowed me to disconnect from a frenetic pace and re-evaluate what’s truly important. I was amazed to discover how refreshing it is. It allowed me to disconnect from a frenetic pace and re-evaluate what’s truly important.

One day a week, from sundown to sundown all devices are unplugged. No email, no internet, no work-related activities, no shopping. I’m reading, speaking with family, taking in a spiritual teaching, or prone with a pillow. I don’t even think about work or the world.

I’d put it off rest because I thought I’d get behind, or that my business would suffer. My work load has increased, my output is more in six days than I could accomplish in seven. I no longer feel overwhelmed. There’s more time for family, friends and fun. I have peace and health. And my circle of friends has expanded to include those who find this important to their lives as well.

Did the Forbes Article impact you in any way?

Have you tried giving yourself twenty-four hours to unplug and refresh? In the comment box below, take a moment to weigh in on this conversation. I’m curious about your perspective.