Can We Really Afford to Skip Rest?

Why is it that rest rarely makes the to-do list when we’re constantly on the go, trying to build and grow? 

Have you hit the wall before? Those long hours, back-to-back meetings, no real rest? I definitely have, and it always eventually catches up with me. It shows up as mental fog, getting sick, no fresh ideas, and honestly, just pure creative emptiness. And guess what, I still feel like I have to keep pushing. 

I’m not writing this from a place of perfection. I’m writing this as a form of accountability for myself. 

My doctor, Dr. Jamal Lawrence, here in Savannah, told me: 

“Your health depends on rest, diet, lifestyle, and exercise.” 

That stuck with me. Because while I’m on the grind of building my ventures, empowering others, and now pursuing my MBA, I’ve realized rest isn’t a luxury. It’s a real-life requirement. 

One of my favorite ways to recharge is hitting the water on a jet ski. There’s something about beating up the waves, doing something risky, and feeling that adrenaline, and letting go of everything else for a moment. It’s not just the thrill, for me, it’s the mental space. I feel renewed every time. Not because I’m on a jet ski, but because I’m allowing myself to enjoy something that’s just for me, something separate from the grind. 

Rest isn’t always sleep. Sometimes, it’s stepping away, doing what you love, and coming back to the work more energized, more creative, and more dangerous… in the best way, of course. 

So here’s your reminder: take time this week to do something just for you. Not because it’s productive. Not because it checks a box. But because you matter. Whether it’s jet skiing, painting, walking in silence, or watching your favorite show uninterrupted…that’s rest, too. That’s fuel. 

I’m taking my own advice on this. As much as I love the work I do, I’m learning that intentional rest isn’t a distraction from the mission. It’s what makes the mission sustainable. Give yourself permission to pause. You’ll come back bigger, better, and bolder. 

Keep being great, Limitless Leaders!