Can Moments of Rest Still Contribute to Progress?

Many of us have experienced the familiar cycle of setting ambitious goals, establishing routines, and then inevitably falling back into old habits.

“Perseverance is not a long race; it’s many short races one after the other.” — Walter Elliot

This quote captures the essence of our journey. Each small effort, every race against old habits, contributes to our lasting transformation, reminding us that progress is not a sprint, but a series of steps.

We all have our good and bad days — the days when we get the motivation to do it all, the days when we think of starting a new habit, as well as the days when we get lost scrolling on social media, and the days when we just want to do nothing.

We do tend to let ourselves down, but when I think about it, I notice that in the times when I lift myself up from this cycle, I can feel a shift, a glint of something better.

January is almost over, and most of us have plans and resolutions for the new year, just like we have plans and resolutions throughout the year when we decide that it’s enough and something needs to be changed.

But that doesn’t always work.

Taking a moment for introspection, we might ask ourselves, “Why do I allow this to happen? What am I afraid of if I commit to change and stick with my routine?”

Answering these questions could reveal deep-seated fears or anxieties that might be holding us back.

While these answers may take time to surface, acknowledging and confronting these concerns is a crucial step toward lasting transformation.

Now, I’ve come to realize that no matter how many times I pause my routine, I eventually return to it or start a new one.

This is because I understand that cultivating good habits plays a crucial role in shaping the person I aspire to become.

Whenever you are down, whenever you feel lost, lonely, or sad, remember the times you got back up, because we may need some time to rest but that doesn’t mean that we are not making any progress.

“I hope you will let me know when you become the person you want to be”

This is what my teacher told me at the end of the year, and it made me think of who I want to be.

I believed I knew that, but I still have to discover.

So now I am telling you, I hope you become the person you want to be and until then, love and accept where you are now, who you are now, and the things you have accomplished by now.

It’s perfectly fine to take some days off, to feel the desire to do nothing, and to simply exist.

Understand that you are now where you need to be, and If you are not yet where you want to be, or who you want to be, I believe you will find the courage to get there.

Taking a break and resting might seem like stopping progress, but in reality, these moments are essential for moving forward.

Do you believe that moments of rest can still contribute to progress?

Thank you for reading! ^^