I Didn’t Plan This Rest Day

I am writing this burnt out.

Stress, nonstop movement, and questionable choices in food and drinks finally caught up to me… as I expected. I had an absolute blast at the Newport Oyster Fest last weekend, and hosted three different yoga events, so I don’t regret my actions lol. But I’m also not remotely surprised I’m sick today.

My body had been sending signals for days, and I ignored every single one of them until it made the decision for me. Last Friday, right before I taught my first Yoga on the Grass class at the Tennis Hall of Fame, I felt that first little tickle in my throat after taking a sip of water.

We all know that feeling, that quiet warning sign that things are about to go downhill. Stairs start feeling harder to climb, a light headache begins building behind my eyes, and suddenly you realize it’s already too late.

Today is a rest day whether I planned for it or not.

I’m writing this with swollen, bloodshot eyes, sniffing every couple of seconds and moving slower than I want to. It is 85 degrees out, and I’m about to head to the store for chicken broth, scallions, and eggs to make egg drop soup in the middle of what should feel like summer weather.

There’s something ironic about needing warmth and simplicity on a day that looks like it should be full of energy and movement.

Spring always does this.

It brings a collective feeling of expansion: more sunlight, more plans, more movement, more “we should be outside right now.” There’s excitement in that shift. Longer days, beach walks, outdoor workouts, and routines that feel lighter and more alive. Life just feels happier. 

But it also brings a whole lot of pressure. 

Pressure to do more.
To fit more in.
To reorganize already full schedules just to make space for the version of life that looks like spring.

And in that expansion, it becomes easy to forget the body still has limits, even when the season says go. 

In yoga, we talk a lot about awareness. Paying attention to the first sensation, the first pull, the first moment something asks for attention. 

There is so much pressure to do, and not enough room to simply be. We are human beings, not human doings.

Maybe the lesson for me this week isn’t “slow down.” Maybe it’s noticing sooner. 

Most of us already know our warning signs long before burnout arrives. We just get really good at convincing ourselves we can push through one more week, one more event, one more task. And hey, sometimes we have to push through. But it is important to find even a few small moments, to intentionally rest. 

So I’ll leave you with two questions:

What has been good in your life recently?

And, if you’re willing to go a little deeper:

How are you, really?

I hope something in this inspires you to slow down today, this week, or whenever you feel like you need it.