Rest. Such a simple word, pero bakit parang ang hirap gawin without feeling guilty? For many young professionals and moms, resting feels like a luxury—something you have to earn only after you’ve ticked off everything on your endless to-do list.
But here’s the truth: rest is not laziness. Rest is part of survival, healing, and even productivity.
Why Do We Feel Guilty When We Rest?
On the surface, guilt comes from the thought that “if I’m not doing something, I’m wasting time.” Society and culture often glorify busyness. In many Filipino families, value is tied to being productive—lagi tayong sinasabihan na “sayang oras” if we sit still.
Pero let’s look deeper. For some people, this guilt is actually connected to trauma.
- If you grew up in a home where love was conditional—where you felt accepted only when you achieved or helped—you may have internalized the belief: “I’m only worthy if I’m busy.”
- If you experienced instability or poverty, resting might have felt unsafe. Trauma trains your body to stay on alert mode, so when you finally pause, your nervous system panics instead of relaxes.
That’s why when you try to rest, instead of peace, you feel anxiety or guilt. It’s not katamaran—it’s survival mode. But the good news is: you can retrain your body and mind.
A Mother’s Realization
As a mom, I’ve experienced this countless times. When the kids are at school or finally asleep, my mind races: “Should I fold the laundry? Answer emails? Prep for tomorrow?” And when I choose to sit down with coffee, there’s always that whisper: “Sayang oras.”
But here’s what I discovered: when I allow myself to rest, I become a better mom. Mas patient ako, mas creative, mas loving. Rest doesn’t take away from my family—it actually gives them a healthier version of me.
A Message to Young Professionals
If you’re a young professional, you know how hustle culture works. It tells you that if you pause, you’ll fall behind. Pero research shows the opposite: lack of rest lowers focus, weakens decision-making, and hurts relationships. Rest is not the enemy of productivity—it’s part of it.
How to Rest Without Guilt
Here are some simple but powerful steps:
- Reframe rest as responsibility. Instead of saying, “I’m wasting time,” say, “I’m charging my batteries.”
- Schedule it. Put rest in your calendar and treat it like a meeting with yourself.
- Start small. Kahit 5 minutes of quiet breathing, stretching, or drinking tea counts.
- Challenge the guilt. If your best friend rested, would you judge her? Or would you say, “Good for you!” Show yourself the same kindness.
- Use grounding cues. Light a candle, play calm music, or wrap yourself in a blanket—help your body feel that rest is safe.
Final Reflection
Rest is not selfish. Hindi ito katamaran. Rest is part of healing, survival, and resilience. If your trauma or culture whispers, “you’re lazy,” remind yourself: “No, I am human. And humans need rest.”
When you give yourself permission to pause, you’re not falling behind—you’re preparing to rise stronger. 🌿