Work culture consumes us. Our Google Calendars are piled with one event after another. Our days pass in a flash. Amidst this relentless pursuit of productivity, resting is often conflated with laziness. A few weeks ago, on a long drive back to Providence, my friends and I listened to a podcast by The Atlantic called “How to Rest.” The episode talked about how the culture surrounding rest is based on a flawed mindset that our lives constantly have to be jumping between two ends of a spectrum: doing everything or doing nothing. Although sleeping, lounging, and bed-rotting are certainly crucial activities under the umbrella of rest, rest can also be practiced in other ways. Rest is allowing yourself to engage in activities that are less energy-intensive and can provide a sense of peace—a break from the rigid structure of your daily routine. By reading this article, you are already engaging in a form of rest. So inhale…exhale…let’s begin.
1. Connect with nature.
Breathe in the crisp early morning air. It feels rejuvenating, with earthy undertones reminiscent of dew-kissed grass. When all of campus is dormant, the world is pure, untarnished by others. Bathe in the luxury of having the world to yourself before the chaos of the day ensues. As the day unfolds, continue to find joy in lingering. What’s typically a brisk five-minute half-walk-half-jog to the Blue Room can always be turned into a tranquil 10-minute stroll. After class, take a leisurely walk around the neighborhood and relish in the beauty of your surroundings. Explore areas that you haven’t before. Notice the quaint architecture of buildings you’ve become accustomed to glancing over, the melodic dance of shadows in the wind, the hues and textures of the sunset that seamlessly melt into one another. As you bask in the sun or appreciate the calm of a cloudy day, tune into the natural rhythms of the Earth. Let the Earth’s kindness be a reminder of the grace you deserve to give yourself. The simplicity of the outdoors is easily overlooked, but once realized, spending time outside fosters a sense of grounding.
2. Cultivate meaningful relationships.
Sweet friendships refresh the soul, so invest completely, deeply, and authentically in them. Nurture your friendships like you would your romantic relationships. Create connections more intertwined and intricate than the patterns found in the New York Times game. As important as shared interests and personalities are, it’s also invaluable to be able to find solace in one another. Find those who can feel with you in your happiness, sadness, and every messy emotion in between. Allow yourself to let go in their presence.
My most cherished times are spent sprawled on the floors of my friends' rooms, wrapped in the warmth of the pillows and blankets on their twin XLs as time unravels quietly in the background of our conversations. In these conversations, we are vulnerable about the past and think towards the future, a careful balance that temporarily detaches us from the present.
What aspects of our parents’ parenting styles resonate with us the most and which will we want to reflect in our own teachings? How have our relationships with others, in all forms, influenced who we are? Share knowledge with people who will accept your perspectives and values in all of their complexity. Share the books that have touched your soul, the music whose lyrics have held significant meaning at various stages of your life. Discuss current events. Fantasize about hypotheticals. Banter as you critique the absurdity of reality TV, laugh through fond and embarrassing childhood memories. Embrace the freedom of youth.
3. Seek comfort in places.
Despite the sarcastic meaning our generation has created for the phrase “I know a place,” I find it to be a heartwarming concept. I see it as an indication of belonging. These are places that have a gravitational pull on you, where you subconsciously find yourself time and time again. For me, a couple of places around campus fit this description: The Coffee Exchange, Tea in Sahara, Seven Stars Bakery. However, a place doesn’t necessarily need to be a constant, specific location. It can be any general atmosphere that is comforting to you—the coziness of a bookstore, the warmth of a cafe, the creative outlet of an art studio, the openness of a sports field. Anywhere that feels like home is a place that is worth going back to. Whether you feel inclined to share a place with others or reserve it as a sacred ground for yourself, it’s important to physically be present in those spaces as often as you can.
4. Indulge in the pleasure of hobbies.
For a while, I struggled with the word “hobbies” because I was stubbornly invested in the notion that they had to be something you do consistently and skillfully. I've come to realize that “hobby” is actually a loose term.
A hobby can be any activity that you find joy in doing, regardless of how frequently or how successfully you do it. A handful of my friends have their sights set on the Providence half and full marathons approaching in a few months. I would guess that not all of them admit to being a “runner” in the conventional sense, in that they aren’t members of the club running team, ex-cross country or ex-track athletes, or born with natural endurance. Some others, myself included, enjoy playing pickleball but are by no means pickleball connoisseurs. Finding courts in the Providence area has proven to be quite difficult, but the joy of playing might be enough to justify invading some tennis territory (oops).
Writing is another hobby that I’ve only recently learned to appreciate. I’ve always been a reader, but writing was a more daunting task. As a computer science student, the only writing I’ve allowed myself to partake in over the past three years has been a conglomeration of disjointed phrases, structured formulas, and broken lines that usually left me frustrated and discouraged. As I’ve spent more time letting words flow creatively and letting my imagination roam freely, I’ve found comfort in writing. Whatever meaningful activities give you peace and happiness, carve out the time for them.
A new month has dawned. As we emerge from our winter slumber, we ease into the warmth of spring. As we approach the anticipated break at the end of the month, make time to slow down during the weeks in between. Take moments to unwind from the fast-paced lifestyle that can come with being in a college environment. Embrace a simpler, more intentional way of life that prioritizes authenticity and connection.
