22 Comments

Thanks for the reminder. I read this book a year ago and I am on my rest reclamation journey since then... it often feels like two steps forward one step backward, but of course, we don't have to be perfect.

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yes, exactly!

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Amen, amen, amen!

I absolutely love this! It is the exact struggle I used to have, but not anymore. Rest is required. Rest is not bad or lazy. And I know people that cannot stop or rest. And so be it. We're all different. Thank you, it truly validated my changed lifestyle.

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So glad to hear this!

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Thanks so much for making me aware of this book! In response to your question, I've been consuming news in small bites -- mostly reporting, like you -- NPR and The Daily in the morning, then watching the PBS news hour after work. And I'm reading fiction at night before bed instead of the NYT, which is better for my sleep. And....I'm reading a ton on Substack! That's been the best and most salutary addition to my reading/media diet of all.

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That's a great media diet! I used to watch the PBS News Hour all the time, and that would be a good one to get back too!

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How am I navigating this moment? The way you are, I think. By writing about it in rants disguised as essays, but only very thiny disguised.

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Ha, busted!

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Another great piece, thank you Sara! I have always loved my downtime and not being busy-busy, and it's made me often feel like a lazy-ass in society, but sometimes our "rest" is invaded by unrestful thinking: "I should be doing...." etc. I love the whole idea and practice of "rest"--it's in all music, so why not the music of a life? I'm going to read the book. Keep the good stuff coming!

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Thanks so much, Tatyana!

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I grew up in -- and still live in today -- a very rest-resistant household. I remember lying on the couch one summer vacation, reading a library book and, well, resting. My mother walked by and said what are you doing, get up, stop wasting time. Reading was for nighttime only -- daytime was for doing things. Even today, the only time any of us nap is when we are deathly ill. It's just inculcated into our souls that rest = wasted time. I need to change this!

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Personally, I a terrible at napping, but I can sit on the couch and read a book like a champ. But I think that's because I think of reading as "doing something" -- it's relaxing, but I'm also learning ... in case that helps!

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I learned about this book in January. Very cool!

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It's such a great book!

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All of this! We must protect our hearts, minds and bodies. I don’t watch the news and I’m off all social media except substack.

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Glad to hear this!

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I'm also avoiding CNN, MSNBC, the broadcast media channels, and late-night comedy. I did the same in 2016. I haven't been able to stomach other leftist news sources that I've relied on but I'm still, somehow, finding out bits and pieces just by going through my email (even after unsubbing from some newsletters). I can't get away from it entirely, and I'm not trying to bury my head in the sand, but also I can feel the cortisol and I don't want to live like that every minute of the day.

Also, love Tricia's book. I am getting my full night's sleep and napping when I can. I walk dogs for money. I've really gotten into a color by numbers app so while that increases my screen time, it is meditative and keeps me off social media. Now if I can get back to playing my flute with some sort of consistency...

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Glad to hear you're staying sane and benefitting from Tricia's work too!

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Thank you. Everyone needs this message :-)

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Agree!

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Thank you! I needed this message. ❤️

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Thanks, Amy!

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