When You Feel Guilty For Resting
Ever try to rest and immediately feel lazy, behind, or anxious? We talk about why rest feels so hard — and how to give yourself permission to slow down.
XO Conversations · jess tims, rishma walji
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Show Notes
When was the last time you truly rested?
What happens when you literally can’t do it all anymore? For Jess, it took a broken foot, six weeks off her feet, and a complete pause in her routines to realize how deeply she’d tied her worth to her productivity.
In this episode, we explore the emotional reality of “rest guilt” — the belief that you’re only valuable when you’re doing, helping, performing, achieving, or holding everything together. Jess opens up about the meltdown that made her ask, “Who am I if I’m not doing all the things?” and how she's redefining worth, presence, and capacity.
We talk about:
• Feeling useless or unworthy when you can’t be productive
• How to accept help (even when it feels uncomfortable)
• Why women often tie value to caretaking, tasks, and saying yes
• How Jess learned to rest without shame
• The surprising way slowing down made her more productive
• Redefining movement, connection, and capacity
If you’re exhausted, overwhelmed, or secretly afraid of slowing down, this episode will help you rethink your relationship with rest — and give yourself permission to be human.
🎧 Listen if you’re craving:
Permission to rest
Freedom from productivity pressure
Emotional resilience and self-compassion
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