Hustle hangover: Why Millennial women need more rest.
Change and rest. Two words you rarely hear together, right? When we’re in the thick of change, rest can feel like the last thing on our minds. But what I’ve come to realize - through a few restless nights and 2024’s constant curveballs - is that change is inevitable, and because of that, we must learn to reclaim rest. It’s not a luxury; it’s a necessity.
Change and rest – two words that go together like stilettos on cobblestone (ah, college). When life is shifting, rest can feel like that fancy dessert on the menu – tempting, indulgent, but a little too rich to actually order.
Recently, I’ve find myself asking: why do we resist rest so much?
We’re a generation conditioned to hustle. From the moment we learned to scroll, we’ve been taught that life is a marathon where stopping for a breather feels almost rebellious. We’ve been told we can do anything and be anything we want. Yet we pile on the work goals, the family obligations, the fitness routines, and somewhere between a mile-long to-do list and the perfect Instagram story, rest slips quietly off the radar.
Maybe it’s because we live in a constant state of change. Our jobs evolve, our relationships shift, our health goals get recalibrated, and we're forever adjusting our routines. Millennial women are, let’s face it, the queens of the balancing act. And while there’s strength in our adaptability, there’s also a silent pressure – the kind that whispers, “Keep going, keep doing, keep proving.”
Rest, by contrast, has no metrics, no milestones, no applause. When did taking a break become the enemy of progress? Somewhere along the way, we took up the belief that rest wasn’t for us. Or worse, that we had to earn it.
So why are we so resistant? Perhaps it's because we’re also a generation conditioned to compete.
Look around at any brunch table of Millennial women, and you’ll find an unspoken contest: Who has the busiest schedule? Who’s balancing work, workouts, and a social life with seemingly effortless ease? But here’s a little secret I learned: There is no prize for burning out.
So, what would it look like if we stopped resisting and started reclaiming rest? I’m talking about a new way of viewing rest – not as laziness, but as an act of self-preservation.
Redefine Rest: Rest isn’t just clocking out and collapsing in bed. It’s those small moments that refill our tanks – a quiet walk, a phone-free hour, a cup of coffee sipped without a side of emails. It’s whatever takes you out of “go” mode and lets you just be.
Unplug to Recharge: Technology keeps us more connected, but also makes it hard to fully disconnect. Putting your phone on Do Not Disturb can be a mini rebellion that says, “Hey, world, I’ll get back to you when I’m ready.” Those notifications will still be there, but your sanity will thank you.
Replace Comparison with Compassion: It’s easy to feel guilty for resting while others are out there “achieving,” but remember, no one wins when burnout is the benchmark. Rest isn’t just something we allow ourselves; it’s something we deserve.
Give yourself permission to rest, even if the world keeps spinning without you. Because in a life that never sleeps, there’s nothing braver than taking a moment to pause and catch your breath.