📝 Issue #6: Rest is Productive

💡 This week’s affirmation:

✨ "Rest is not a reward; it is a necessity. I am worthy of slowing down and just being me." ✨

I swear, I haven’t had a conversation with anyone lately that doesn’t somehow touch on the topic of self worth. With all of the personal development I’ve done over the last decade, I can’t ignore the self-deprecating and limiting things I hear others say about themselves.

Whether it’s calling yourself a piece of shit, lazy, or forgetful for not getting everything done all of the time, most of us tend to beat up on ourselves when we don’t fit the hustle narrative of today’s culture. We let deadlines and clocks and never ending to-do lists taunt us into thinking we’re incapable, incompetent imbeciles.

But in reality, we are just human beings. Not robots on a 24/7/365 cycle of repeats, not capable of shoving all of our needs away to chase some illusive carrot on a stick that never even existed in the first place. No, we’re meant to just BE.

Sure there’s a time for DOing, but it’s not 100% all of the time.

When I hear people throwing out these lamenting thoughts, I always steer the conversation to self worth. Did you know that this is probably one of the MOST COMMON deep fears that we have, feeling unworthy? It goes deeper than most of us can even imagine.

“Idle hands” are to be feared according to religion, equating rest with not only laziness but with immorality. And it’s not just protestant work ethic making us feel like failures if we’re not virtuous enough to constantly crank out productivity. Capitalism really ups the ante, forcing the idea that constant effort is the only thing that will save us from lost potential, lost income, or falling behind in the ‘rat race.’

As if all of those things aren’t hard enough to overcome, your family can really lay on the shame, THICK. When your ancestors and relatives fought to survive, picking up these beliefs and hardwiring them within us. Poverty, oppression and survival mode don’t leave much space for rest- which passes down the mindset that it “must be nice” to have any time off from the constant go-go-go.

The truth is, people who are busy and exhausted are also easier to control. If we believe that we must always be working in order to be worthy, then we don’t have time to question systems of power or social injustice, let alone time to follow our own desires.

You know what that means? Rest becomes an act of defiance.

This is exactly why the Wild Woman Oracle card I pulled this morning hit me so hard. This is a woman who has decided to retreat into her own sanctuary for rest, surrounded by warmth, candles, a Tarot deck, and her animal companions. She isn’t lazy or unworthy—she’s wise enough to know that rest is part of the cycle. That taking time to slow down is just as sacred as taking action.

Now that it’s spring, and my household is having some major shifts (read issue 4&5 for more info), I am DYING to get the spring cleaning underway. I’m decluttering, dusting, and de-animal-hair-ing everything I can get my hands on. I’ve just been feeling that pull to clear things out, throw away old junk and get some of that fresh-start energy.

But instead of going full steam ahead towards overwhelm, burnout, and the dreaded doom piles of stuff I’ve pulled out and ran out of energy to put away (hello, ADHD!), this time I’m doing it differently. I’m leaning into a softer rhythm, balancing my ‘spring cleaning’ frenzy with little slices of do-nothing time.

I want to clear space, but also to be able to breathe as I do it.

Thanks for reading Still Processing...! This post is public so feel free to share it with someone who’s in full Spring cleaning mode!

So, tell me—how are you embracing rest this week?

What’s one small way you can resist the urge to go overboard and instead honor your own rthym?

And most importantly, how can you use rest as an act of resistance to these oppressive, limiting beliefs?

Hit reply or drop a comment below. I’d love to hear!

✨ What I’m Up To:

Real time life and work updates!

🌿 Upcoming events:

• 🌿 If you’re craving connection, nourishment, and a reminder that rest is just as important as action, join me at Fill Your Cup at Bryan’s Green Care (Hobbs, NM) – March 30th (tickets available here) We’re filling our cups literally with THC or CBD infused coffee, meditating on the gorgeous outdoor patio, and painting a coffee cup. I hope to see you at this gathering designed to replenish your energy.

• 💆‍♀️ if you need a little extra love, come unwind with us for Self Care Sunday—a completely free event where we’ll slow down, breathe, and pour back into ourselves together. Open to womxn, non-binary babes, and anyone looking for some community and connection. Self Care Sundays will be the first Sunday of the month at Anumi Day Spa (Odessa, TX) – April 6th (our very first one!) [RSVP HERE to save your spot!]

🎙 Still Processing podcast update: Now available here on Substack AND wherever you listen to podcasts! [Sneak peek]📺 YouTube channel: Are you subscribed to Unhinged Healing yet? I’m sharing old diary entries, stories of how I left my toxic relationship, and other vulnerable bits and pieces of my life.

💡 1:1 coaching spots—Maybe you've thought about 1:1 coaching, but you're still not sure if it's for you. Maybe you’re wondering if it will actually help, or if you’ll just hear the same generic advice you’ve read a hundred times. Here’s the truth—this isn’t about quick fixes or surface-level motivation. It’s about real transformation, deep healing, and finally feeling seen, heard, and understood in a way that changes everything.

If something in this newsletter resonated with you, I invite you to book a free discovery call with me. No pressure, just an open conversation to explore how I can support you on your healing journey. Whether you're ready for a breakthrough or just need a safe space to talk, this call is your first step toward feeling lighter, clearer, and more aligned with your true self. Click here to schedule yours today—let’s see how we can create the transformation you’ve been longing for.

Sneak Peek: "Main Character Energy" Masterclass

What if you stopped waiting for permission to take up space and started showing up as the fully expressed, magnetic, unstoppable version of yourself? 

In my upcoming Main Character Energy masterclass, we’re diving into the deep-rooted beliefs that keep us playing small—and rewriting the script. Get ready to step into your power, own your story, and start moving through life like the lead character you were always meant to be.

STAY TUNED FOR UPDATES!

As always, my inbox is open. Whether you have thoughts on this week’s topic, want to share what’s on your heart, or just need a little support, I’m here for you. Hit reply, send me a message—I’d love to hear from you. We’re in this together. ❤️

-Mindy