I’ve been quiet lately, not because I haven’t had things to share, but because I’ve been worn thin. The kind of tired that sleep doesn’t fully fix. The kind of tired that creeps in slowly, until one day you realize you haven’t felt like yourself in a long time.
As I near the end of my master’s degree, I’ve been holding more stress than I care to admit. Between finishing my thesis, running my business, raising my son, and managing the everyday chaos of life, I’ve been carrying more than I realized. And although I’m grateful for everything on my plate, even good things can become too heavy when you never set the load down.
The truth is, I haven’t been taking care of myself the way I ask others to. In a recent assignment on self-care, I admitted that I struggle. As a single parent, I feel pulled to spend every free second with my son or getting needed things done. That pressure whispers constantly, saying, "You’re already away so much. Don’t take even more time for yourself."
But this past week, something shifted. I hit a wall. I felt depleted, anxious, unmotivated, and even physically unwell. I wasn’t sleeping. I wasn’t eating mindfully. And I wasn’t present in the ways that matter most. I finally had to stop and ask myself, "What is this stress costing me?"
The Functional Impact of Burnout
This isn’t just about feeling tired. In functional medicine and nutrition, we understand the full-body consequences of chronic stress and burnout:
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The adrenals get overworked, leading to hormone imbalances and fatigue
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The gut becomes inflamed and reactive
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The immune system weakens, making us more vulnerable to illness
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Sleep quality declines, triggering a cascade of additional dysfunction
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Mood, focus, and motivation drop off, leaving us mentally and emotionally flat
The body sends quiet warnings at first. And if we don’t listen, it speaks louder. My body was speaking loud and clear.
Relearning Rest
This week, I made the decision to pause. Not just for a nap or a break, but for a full recalibration. I stepped back and asked myself what I needed in order to feel human again. The answer was clear. I needed rest. Real rest. The kind that goes beyond sleep. The kind that involves saying no without guilt. The kind that honors the fact that I’m a human being, not a machine.
I’ve started returning to the simple things: drinking water first thing in the morning, stepping outside barefoot, breathing deeply, eating slowly, allowing myself to say, “I can’t do that today.” These small moments have helped me reconnect with myself.
A Message for You, Too
If you’re reading this and feeling worn down, I want you to know you are not alone. You are not broken. And you don’t have to keep pushing through.
Please give yourself permission to rest.
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Go to bed earlier, even if the dishes aren’t done
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Make yourself a simple nourishing meal
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Let your phone stay on the charger for an hour longer
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Take a walk without tracking steps
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Sit in silence without needing to be productive
None of these things make you lazy. They make you well.
Nature Knows the Rhythm
Everything I grow reminds me that nature does not rush. Seeds take time. Soil needs to lie fallow. Microgreens don’t sprout stronger because we demand it. They grow when conditions are right. And so do we.
We are cyclical beings. We have seasons. And sometimes, the season is one of rest. Even when it’s inconvenient. Even when the to-do list keeps growing.
Rest is not earned. It is required!
Rooted in rest and learning to listen,
Courtney
P.S. If this message resonated with you, I’d love to hear your story. What is one thing you can give yourself permission to do, or not do, this week in honor of your well-being?
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