Depression does not invite rest
Sitting still ≠ stillness.
Hello again, world.
If you’re new here—welcome. Cozy up. Take your time. This is a no-rush zone.
If you’re an old friend—hello again.
It’s been awhile since we last spoke, but I’m never one to dwell on the past (just kidding, I’m highly nostalgic. But in this case…). Life this year has been a bit tumultuous—for many of us—and I’ve found myself sinking into bouts of depression, punctuated by listlessness. Who cares about this or that when the world seems to be burning? Who cares about making time for yourself when you don’t even recognize who that is? Who cares about rest when you’re thinking about how much time you have left with loved ones?
A lot of people conflate immobilization, listlessness, or just… well, sitting, to be a form of rest. I mean, you’re literally in a state of nonmovement. But anyone who has worked through grief, or fear, or depression (or all three!) knows that inactivity does not always equate to rest. In fact, it’s often diametrically opposed, even though semantically they’re the same. Grief and depression are, essentially, daily traumas that you’re living through. Your body is depleted rapidly, even when you’re not “doing” much of anything—because our mind-body connection is so linked. They often have an effect on sleep and rest and vice versa, leading to a vicious cycle of rest issues. We can’t rest properly when we’re going through it. It’s exhausting to be in this mode.
I wish I could tell you that these things quickly dissipate, or that by injecting moments of joy you’ll bring yourself out of it. But these things aren’t linear. You can bear two realities—one of joy and peace, and one of grief and sadness. Like each side of a railroad track, they can move you along simultaneously. So let this serve as a reminder—even if you’re not moving, that does not mean you are resting. Rest is letting your body, mind, and soul take a break. It can be awake or not. Not moving, or being sedentary, is only part of the equation. Your mind can be going at rapid speed, your spirit unable to find respite.
I’m hoping for peace and respite for us all. And of course, do let me know if you have other ways to find it. I’ll be here. Until next time.
Psst… if you haven’t read our profile in Popsugar Juntos, please do!
Suggested Reads:
Laziness Does Not Exist: “Laziness Does Not Exist explores the psychological underpinnings of the ‘laziness lie,’ including its origins from the Puritans and how it has continued to proliferate as digital work tools have blurred the boundaries between work and life. Using in-depth research, Price explains that people today do far more work than nearly any other humans in history yet most of us often still feel we are not doing enough.”
Rest is Resistance: “In Rest Is Resistance, Tricia Hersey, aka the Nap Bishop, casts an illuminating light on our troubled relationship with rest and how to imagine and dream our way to a future where rest is exalted. Our worth does not reside in how much we produce, especially not for a system that exploits and dehumanizes us. Rest, in its simplest form, becomes an act of resistance and a reclaiming of power because it asserts our most basic humanity. We are enough. The systems cannot have us.”
How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy: “In a world where addictive technology is designed to buy and sell our attention, and our value is determined by our 24/7 data productivity, it can seem impossible to escape. But in this inspiring field guide to dropping out of the attention economy, artist and critic Jenny Odell shows us how we can still win back our lives.”
See all reads listed in this newsletter here.
Opportunities for Rest:
Joyday is giving away Getaway overnight stays to 6 individuals—you have to enter by October 31. Enter here and follow their IG here.
The Healing Trust has sabbaticals for their CEOs or Directors should they receive funding from The Trust and have been doing the work for 7+ years. Find out more here.
If you work in the Jewish communal sector (aka non-profits and the like), you can sign up for email notifications now for the Rest of Our Lives sabbatical, which gives $50,000 for the awardees to rest, travel, reflect or renew in whatever manner they propose, for a minimum of three (3) consecutive months while maintaining their current salary/benefits.
Military or military family? The Active Heroes Retreat Center in Kentucky offers free cabin stays for families. Head to ActiveHeroes.org.
Writer? Check out these paid fellowships and grant programs.
Rest for Resistance, which focuses for LGBTQ+ and trans people of color, often has (virtual) healing events that you can find out by following them on Instagram or checking out here.
Many meditative retreats offer financial assistance and scholarships as part of their guiding principles. I recommend searching for the state you’re in (or would like to visit), meditation retreat, and seeing if they have a scholarship page. A few to highlight:
Southern Dharma retreat in North Carolina center offers meditation-focused retreats and programs, and offers scholarships and need-based assistance—particularly for BIPOC and younger (under age 30) registrants. Take a look at the opportunities here.
Spirit Rock Insight Meditation Center in Woodacre, CA has opportunities for BIPOC, 65+ on fixed incomes, those with medical conditions, young adults, and more. Take a look at the opportunities here.
Vallecitos Mountain Retreat Center nestled in the Tusas Mountains in Colorado also offers financial assistance for their meditation retreats. Take a look at the opportunities here.
Giveaway Winner:
So excited to announce our giveaway winner—Bianca Montes! They will win a bag (box?) of goodies curated to help them find rest. Stay tuned for more restful giveaways.
As always, if you have opportunities for rest (grants, giveaways, etc.) that you’d like me to share, books you find offer insight, a quote, a note—whatever!—email me at restinaction@gmail.com.