I used to feel guilty when I had a “lazy day.” You know the kind; when the to-do list goes untouched, the dishes wait in the sink, and pajamas somehow become the outfit of the day. I would tell myself I was wasting time. But over the years, especially after juggling motherhood, work, grad school, volunteer commitments and life, I have come to realize that lazy days are not wasted at all. They are necessary!
There is something healing about giving yourself permission to slow down. On my favorite lazy days, I stay in bed a little longer, cuddle with my cat, sip warm coffee with no rush, and let my thoughts wander. No productivity goals, no class meetings, no pressure, just me being gentle with myself. And that space? It is where clarity shows up. It is where I feel like I can breathe again.
For some bizarre reason, society glorifies us “doing more” or being “busy, busy” all the time. But what I have learned is that rest is just as cool. Lazy days help calm my nervous system, boost my creativity, and keep me from burning out. A lazy day has become part of my self-care routine, and I protect those like I would any important grad school paper or important task.
So if you are like I was, constantly pushing, rarely pausing, I want you to know it is okay to pause. In fact, it is necessary to take a break and not apologize for it. These very days are often the days where we reconnect and nourish ourselves and become better caretakers for our family and loved ones.
Mindfully curated by Debra Gudema for Well&Co.
📸: Ирина Мещерякова