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Why I’m Taking a True Day of Rest Each Week & How It Has Changed EVERYTHING

Why I'm Taking a True Day of Rest Each Week & How It Has Changed EVERYTHING | We were made for work, but we were also made for rest. And while it can feel crazy to dedicate an entire day to rest when we're so crazy busy, I'm starting to learn that I'd be crazy NOT to!

It was late August, and Mark and I found ourselves in the cool quiet north of Wisconsin.  I had just started amping up my eBook writing and was feeling the impending crunch of deadlines.

In some ways, it seemed like the worst possible time to adopt a new habit that meant less work time.  And yet, it was exactly the right time.  I needed a break somethin’ fierce, and I recall that first week of trying it out: I could not wait to start.  I powered down the computer, put away the TO DO list, and embraced 24 hours of rest.

20 weeks later, we continue to set aside a day each week just for rest…and it remains the highlight of our week.  However, learning to rest well hasn’t been easy; it has actually been a lot of work.  The worthwhile kind of work.

In order to tell you why Mark and I are doing this (and why I invite you to consider it, too), I need to share a little backstory.

Backstory

Every summer for the past three summers, Mark and I head to the northwoods of Wisconsin to HoneyRock Camp.  Mark volunteers as camp doctor for the week, and we both take the opportunity to unplug.  For me, that means no internet on my phone or computer with the exception of one hour a day.

It’s actually amazing to me how productive I can be when 60 minutes are counting down on the timer.  Most days, I’d read through all my emails and take care of blog post promotion with plenty of time to spare…tasks that sometimes take me all morning when I’m at home.  (Lesson learned: use a timer when you work.  The *30/30 app. is my current favorite.)

But something dawned on me this year, which is so obvious, I slapped my hand to my head when the lightbulb went off.

I look forward to that week unplugged every year now.  I crave that time in solitude.  Time away.  Time with Mark.  Time in the great outdoors.  Time with God.  Time by myself.  Time away from the emails and notifications and screens clamoring for my attention back home.

What dawned on me, was this:

Why does it only have to be once a year?  Why can’t I do this more often?

The second I mentioned to Mark that I was considering taking a weekly day of rest, he was ready to join me.  Actually, he had mentioned the idea over a year ago after we watched a sermon on the subject.  I remember being captivated by the message…intrigued even…but I wasn’t ready at the time.  It was one of those, “That’s cool for you…but it’s not for me,” moments.  I couldn’t imagine setting aside work for an entire day each week.  What if I something truly important came up?  What if I had a big deadline I needed to meet?  What if my blog went down?

But this past summer, during my year’s quest for more balance, I finally came to terms with the fact that those questions holding me back from taking a day of rest in the past were really just excuses.  And that most “important” things in the inter-webs can wait 24 hours to be dealt with.

Bottom line: I knew that work had become too powerful in my life.  It was sucking up all my energy and not refilling me like it had promised.  I knew the answer to taming all that work wasn’t in setting aside more time for it, but in setting aside intentional time for its counter-part: rest.

And I was thankful to have Mark as a willing and eager co-partner in this new practice.  I probably would have blown it off months ago if it hadn’t been for his commitment to stick to the plan.

So, what exactly was our plan?

The Game Plan

I don’t consider myself a highly disciplined person, and I expected this shift in routine might be hard to stick to.  So, we really did go into it with a game plan.  We wanted to do what we could to give our weekly day of rest a fair shot.

That would mean overcoming some scheduling challenges.  Because of Mark’s irregular work schedule at the hospital, we’re not able to have the exact same time slot for our weekly day of rest.  We aim for weekends, starting at sundown and ending on sundown the next day.  But sometimes they’re on a random Wednesday from 12 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.  Whatever time works best for the two of us each week is what we choose.  We try to put our days of rest on the calendar a month in advance…but lately, it has just been a week in advance.  The key word, however, is “advance.”  It’s something we plan for and prepare for.  That has been key.

BEFORE

The day before entering into our 24 hours of rest, I try to take care of any work projects or emails that are time-sensitive, so they’re off my mind.

Sometimes I set up a phone date or in-person date with a friend for my day of rest.  And Mark and I will often have a quick pow wow to talk through a few items we’d like to do on our day of rest, careful to leave in flex time for spontaneous naps and letter writing.  (We’ve definitely made the mistake of over-scheduling our days of rest.)  We strive to find that sweet spot where there’s a balance of alone time, together time, and time with others.

We also like to do a speed-clean of the house beforehand since we don’t do chores on our day of rest.  We run the dishwasher.  Tidy up our living room.  Toss the piles of clothes on the floor into the laundry basket.  That way, we’re entering into our day of rest without the added burden of feeling behind on housework.

DURING

When our 24-hours of rest commence, I close my laptop.  Mark closes his iPad.  We set aside our phones.  And we re-learn what it means to truly rest.

What activities do we choose to do?  Well, there’s no real rule-book on this stuff.  We are definitely still discovering that line between rest and just passive vegging.  But here are some life-giving activities we enjoy:

  • getting a full night’s sleep (and sometimes extra!)
  • going out to breakfast at First Watch
  • going on a walk or bike together
  • meeting up with our family for a few hours at the Science Center
  • writing a letter to a friend
  • spending time in prayer and reading the Bible
  • short “cat naps” in the afternoon
  • planning an intentional phone date with a friend
  • planning an in-person friend date
  • spending time alone reading a book or working on a creative project (non-blog related)
  • hosting friends for a casual dinner
  • making dinner together
  • going on a boat ride at sunset with wine and cheese
  • playing a board game together
  • watching a movie we’ve been wanting to see
  • going to bed at the same time (since Mark works the night shift, this is a rarity for us)

AFTER

My most productive work day is often the following day after we have rested.  I’m rejuvenated and feeling ready to return to my work.  It makes the work more enjoyable having stepped away from it.  I also think I accomplish more than I did before not only because of this renewed energy but because I manage my time better.  I know that if I want to take an entire day off, I have to work ahead…it nips my procrastination in the bud!

Also, my relationship to work has changed.  My work doesn’t own me like it did.  It doesn’t have complete power over me 24/7.  It’s the same liberating experience I had when I discovered the power of a morning routine, a habit I’m eager to get back into in 2015.

Made for Work & Made for Rest

I know a year ago I would have thought that it seemed a little crazy to stop working for an entire day, especially considering how busy we all are.  I mean, maybe I can rest for a few hours after church on Sunday…but an entire day?  I would have guffawed at the thought!

But the more weeks that go by of practicing our day of rest, the more I realize it seems crazy NOT to.  I do we believe we were made to work, but I also believe we were made to rest.  And I don’t mean “days off.”  Because on days off, you run errands and do laundry and pay bills and do more soul-draining activities like ironing (unless you’re my Mom who thoroughly enjoys ironing).  But a true day of rest.

If we go way way back to the Genesis story, we first learn about this day of rest called a “Sabbath.”

Sabbath: Sabbath is generally a weekly day of rest or time of worship.  It is first mentioned in the Genesis creation narrative, where the seventh day is set aside as a day of rest and made holy by God (Genesis 2:2–3).  It seems to have derived from the verb sabat, meaning to stop, to cease, or to keep.

-Adapted from Wikipedia & Bible Study Tools

When we upset that balance of work and rest, it can lead to some very detrimental outcomes: anxiety, burnout, depression, anger, despair…all of which I experienced at some point or another in 2014.

As much as we try, we can’t juggle all the plates.  At least, not forever.  At least not without taking a break.  Not without taking a rest.

That last paragraph is something I have to remind myself regularly…but I think I’m slowly starting to not only accept the message, but to find relief in it.  Relief in knowing that it’s okay to have limits because it’s how I was made.

I’m human, which means I have a tank that needs to be refueled.  There’s no shame in that!  There’s no selfishness in taking time to rest.  It’s just a matter of recognizing rest as a basic human need and setting aside the time for it.  Then, experiencing the joy of a more balanced life, the kind we were meant to live.

Let’s Keep the Discussion Going

Dear reader, do you feel a tug to take some steps toward including more rest in your life?  Perhaps if not a full 24-hour period, then maybe a morning or afternoon or even just a few hours to start.  Either way, I urge you to consider setting aside some time each week as sacred rest time, and then taking that extra effort to prepare for it.  Protect it.  Repeat it.  I guarantee you it won’t be “wasted.”

And for those of you who already embrace a day of rest, what does it look like for you?  How have you benefitted from it?  Or what struggles have you faced?  Let’s talk more in the comments about what this looks like and support each other in our journeys to seek more rest.

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38 Comments

  1. This is something I need to implement, because I am someone who loves to mentally check things off her to-do list. The problem is, I don’t know how to do a day of rest with a 4yr old boy and 2 yr old boy while 4 months pregnant! Going to be thinking on this one. Maybe I should use paper plates that day.

  2. This is so interesting that you are doing this. As a Seventh Day Adventist, my family has always had Saturday as Sabbath and as an exclusive rest day. It is such a natural part of my life and I can’t imagine how much stress it would be to not have that day! Life can get tough but I’ve luckily been taught how to take that time out for God, myself and family and friends. I recommend it to everyone.

    1. I really do love how seriously the Seventh Day Adventists take Sabbath; I think what I had initially viewed as too rigid of a practice is now what I yearn to embrace. (Love how God can change our hearts like that.) I’m with you – – now that I have that day of rest, I cannot imagine life without out. So, we are doing what we can to protect it! Thanks for sharing your story and how much it means to you and your family! Blessings, Lauren. (Awesome name by the way. Wink.)

  3. I’ve always admired my orthodox and conservative Jewish friends, and Christian friends, who practice Sabbath…I’ve hard this habit described as a bride preparing every Sabbath evening for her bridegroom…who promises REST and delivers! Even meals prepared ahead of time so more time to relax, renew, and restore on the Sabbath. So proud of you for building rest into your lives. That book Crazy Busy is so good! Thanks for sharing and reminding me of the power of rest!

  4. Such a great post, Lauren! I admire you and your husband for committing to this! We camped a lot last year and I took advantage of each trip away to unplug but why don’t I do it more? Thanks for the encouragement of making it a priority!

  5. God has really put this subject on my heart. Thank you for confirming what I already know and giving me some ideas of how to implement a day of rest.

  6. What a wonderful idea! I just heard about One Word 365 this year and chose Balance for myself – which I see you chose last year. I’ve just finally took the leap into blogging, along with starting another business, and juggling two toddlers’ demands. I need all the balance – including rest – I can get! 🙂 I love your “day of rest” idea and I am going to try to remember to give myself that gift of rest (even if it’s just an hour here or there) as part of maintaining balance. Thanks for the inspiration – I’m really enjoying your blog.

  7. What a lovely post….lovely dream. My husband and I own a business I spend most of my life there during this economy we have no coverage so I must be there…My one day off is Sunday, I food shop laundry and prepare for coming week. I am so burnt out I really enjoyed thinking someday I may get to try this.

  8. This sounds like a fantastic idea! I am still trying to wrap my mind around how this would work in our house with younger kids since there never really seems to be a true day of rest with little ones. However, I definitely could use a day to step away from blogging/work stuff. I am definitely too wired into social media and the computer. I am sure it would be truly beneficial to me to have an entire day off from all of it once per week. Thank you for sharing your story!

  9. You have no idea how much I needed this post right now and yet I know our hearts sing the same song so maybe you do…thank you for the gentle nudge.

  10. Lauren, it’s so interesting that you wrote this post because I just did one on “Stepping Away” . It is my goal this year to slow down and do what is important to me. The electronical world has taken over our lives and people miss the importance of family time or just time to yourself. I know there is no conversation between people anymore because someone has a phone in there face. I choose to no longer be that person. I’m sure I will enjoy blogging and writing more as I step away from all those things that I feel have been controlling my life. So, I say “Good for You”. If you get a chance stop over and read my “stepping away” post. http://www.glitterglueandpaint.com/stepping-away/

    Have a fabulous day of rest each week – we all deserve it!

  11. I love this post! We just started doing a study in Sunday School of the “Crazy Busy” book by DeYoung. This is a timely and relevant post as everyone is setting goals and planning their year.

  12. I think you would very much enjoy the book, “Keep the Sabaoth Wholly” by Marva Dawn

    Blessings on your rest and rejuvenation time.

  13. You have discovered what God’s plan for us has and always will be. To take a weekly “rest” and remember Him and His Son and do those things that will draw us closer to them. I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and sometimes we all need a reminder about the Sabbath and to keep it holy. It truly rejuvenates our souls and makes us better people. Thanks for reminding us!

  14. Lauren, this totally rocks my socks! I LOVE this idea. My hubby always complains that our weekends (his days off) are always BUSIER and more stressful sometimes than his work week! We always use weekends as our “to-do” days and get stuff done. But, I think life is TOO busy and it’s time to take a big giant step back. This concept is so basic, yet SO. HARD. It’s hard for some (myself included…) to unplug, because WHAT IF…?! Sharing this with everyone I know, because so many would benefit from this! Kudos to you and your hubby for committing to doing it! 🙂

  15. I needed to read this today! 🙂 We used to be really good about taking Sundays off but I have allowed blog stuff to creep in slowly but surely over the past months and now it is just go-go-go all the time. You’re right–we NEED rest, all of us. Thanks for this reminder–glad it is coming right at the beginning of a weekend, so I can start. 🙂 Have a lovely day!!!!

  16. You are such a genius, Lauren! I mean, I’ve known that for a while, but this just re-confirms it.
    My 4 days in Munich were so invigorating (I did end up sick at the end, but still!), and I felt so energized afterwards, it seems like the logical step to bring that into the everyday. Realistically, I know it won’t happen for me for a little bit due to my current circumstances, but I know that there are small things I can do. Bedtime is one thing, but I also love the idea of no phone in bed, or maybe just trying to unplug for an afternoon.
    Thanks for always being such an inspiration!
    xx Johanna

  17. We started this a few months ago. My wife, my son, & I enjoy that we work hard all week in order to take the full day of rest with no guilt. We play games, go out-to-eat, read together, pray together, & usually sleep in. We don’t answer our phones, & we don’t get on any electronics except for when we are watching a movie together. It is hard at times to get our extended family to understand that we want to do this.

  18. So part of me is having one of those “that’s awesome for you, but not for me” moments but part of me is like “Yes yes yes!” I think maybe I should take a day of the week and step back from the blog, but not necessarily crafting, which is what my blog is about. It’s actually relaxing to me to have a table full of craft supplies around me–and even photographing them. However, maybe I could go a day without answering emails, editing posts, editing pics, cleaning up SEO, etc etc. Wow. I feel relaxed already at the thought of putting that down for 24 hrs!

  19. That is beautiful Lauren! I have always believed in taking the Sabbath hours to rest and to unplug. Haha, I always use to wonder if my readers notice that all my posting and social sharing stops rather abruptly for 24 hours each week! lol! I suppose not. I think it is so lovely that God has given us an eternal special gift…a time to set aside for the important things… Thanks so much for sharing!

  20. Working with a timer. I’ve never used an actual timer, but I can totally see how it would increase productivity. A strict bed time has been my timer lately, which I just started enforcing. I’m just realizing that being aware that I need to finish in time to get to sleep has made me more productive!

    Achieving a full day of serious rest and unplugging is such an amazing accomplishment. It’s like a timer on the week, and I love how it motivates you to get the cleaning done before that day (cleaning is the worst!!) I’ve got a wonky schedule that makes me unconfident about committing to a full day, but even something as small as one full day without touching my laptop would be pretty doable, or just one evening after work for complete rest.

    Really though, you are a beast for being able to do this each week. This wins so hard at life. We need more rest!!

  21. I definitely want to incorporate this more into my life. I’ve done random days here or there, but then I always end up feeling pressure (usually self-inflicted) that tells me I always need to be doing something productive, always need to be getting ahead. I’d love to try this with my husband and see how it impacts our lives – I know it would do us a world of good!

  22. Your timing could not have been better. During my morning hour and fifteen minute commute (on a good day), I got a twinge in my abdomen. It was nothing, but had me thinking. I thought how great it would be to need my appendix out or something equally crazy so I could “get some rest”!!!! That is scary thinking. A routine day of rest is in my near future. I will start planning. Thank you.

  23. I love the day of rest idea. In the past I found myself HAVING to do it…my body gets so overworked and overtired that I could not go one more day without a “couch” day. (I have adrenal issues). Now, I ask myself “Does that HAVE to get done today?” If no…it goes into the “rollover” plan(lol) ….til tomorrow or the next day. 🙂 My wonderful husband actually LIKES to see me laying on the couch! LOL

    We are SUPPOSED to take a day of rest every week. It says so in the bIble. There is only one issue I have….it’s people’s idea of “rest”. They may get it but don’t realize that SOME people actually do not get much if any at all.

    My husband is Associate Pastor and the Business Manager at our church. He teaches Sunday School for adults. He has to stay after service, for hours, counting the offering and updating the books, then has to go to the bank. Once a month we have Marriage Fellowship til 4pm (THEN he goes and does his work). Once a month there is a finance meeting (again…THEN he does his work).

    SUNDAY is not HIS day of rest. Mine either for that matter. I teach Sunday School to the lil ones. We leave outa the house at 9:30, and I get home around 2 (unless it’s 1st Sunday, then I get home later), and he gets home later. On a good day he gets home by 3:30, on a LATE day it could be 5:30 or MUCH later. He usually prepares his Sunday School lesson on Saturday night. And if he is preaching that Sunday he has to prepare a sermon as well. That takes HOURS. And if we have a special event or we go sing at another church Sunday, he has to stay waaay past when everybody leaves cuz he has to get his WORK done. (And this Business Manager job does NOT pay well. $5200 a YEAR. The Associate Pastor job is a NON-paying job. We have a VERY small church…30 people on a good day. It’s a labor of love for him, not a paycheck.)

    So…when people expect us to do stuff on Saturday, (even church stuff), they have to understand that the man works a REGULAR job all week, skips lunch on Thursdays to teach Bible study at work, and goes to Prayer mtg/Bible study for 2 hrs on Wednesday nights, and is at choir practice 2 saturdays a month for 2.5 hrs each time, and does an all day seminar one Saturday a month ….HE NEEDS TO REST. And ya know how Saturdays are…cutting grass, yardwork, household projects. So people need to just give a preacher man a break! 🙂

    So people…understand that your Pastor and Associate Pastors WORK all day Sunday, AND have to spend HOURS preparing for Sunday. Most have a full time job as well. Don’t expect them to be at EVERY church function. Some of them do not get even HALF a day’s rest!

    Just wanted to put that out there cuz people DO forget that the church staff might just have a full time job and a family….and they need rest too. GOD said so! 🙂 So appreciate all they do.

    Have a blessed day everybody!

  24. Thanks so much for sharing this! James and I both have a really hard time unplugging, but it’s something we try to be aware of, which I think is a baby step in the right direction. I love your tips for prepping the day before, so your brain isn’t thinking about all of the things you haven’t gotten to! Very smart.

    I admire your commitment to this and hope I can follow in your footsteps. Thanks for the encouragement and insight! xo

  25. I am so proud of you 🙂 I know firsthand how difficult it can be to set things aside that are tugging so hard on our hearts and minds, almost to the point that we feel forced into doing them. It’s easy to say, “Everyone’s busy, it’s just life.” It’s more difficult to take control and stand up and say, “I’m not going to live like this!!” Go you!!

    Ever since last year, I’ve been more conscious of my time, and how I spend it. I try to make every effort to unplug when I can, put the laptop away, put the phone away, and just be. I’m dating my husband more often, I’m snuggling with my daughter more (who is almost 13 & still snuggles, so YES PLEASE!!) 🙂 I’m writing letters, I’m having dinner with friends…it’s fabulous!

    And, believe it or not, the world doesn’t end when I walk away for a while! Shocking, I know!

    Surrender. It’s very becoming on you. 🙂 Love you honey!!

  26. Lauren, this is just what I needed to hear! I love seeing your perspective on how some rest time has helped you, and how you plan for it. I have been thinking about this topic a lot recently. While I had a nice “break” over the holidays, I wouldn’t necessarily say it included a lot of purposeful resting. I’m determined to make more efficient use of my time in 2015, and I think part of that will include setting aside some dedicated “me time”. Even if it’s just an hour to paint my nails, I think the more I allow myself these pockets of time, the more balanced I’ll feel!

  27. Lauren, this is such a great and necessary idea. Our Pastor often talks about unplugging and turning off to rest. I think this notion needs to really catch on in our society as it used to be in the past. When I was a kid, stores weren’t open on Sunday even! It is almost virtuous to be crazy busy today, and we feel guilty if we’re not busy enough! I find I rest naturally in my schedule, but feel terrible for it. Now I’m going to try to plan it into my week…a real todo!

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