The Sunday Letter: A Practical Guide to Rest & Slowing Down

Burnout Edition - Part II

Burnout builds slowly, camouflaging itself in procrastination, brain fog, and a sense of detachment from things you once loved. If you've been feeling drained, this is your reminder: rest isn't a reward. It's fuel. Here's how to refill your tank with practical, tangible strategies that actually work.

I know I quote this a lot, but it's because it's one of the truest things. It always feels like a timely reminder to stop, reset, and breathe. The simplicity and truth of it have a way of anchoring me when things start to feel chaotic.

"Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you. Stop. Rest. Breathe. Start again. Each day is a reset, a clean slate, and a chance to meet yourself exactly where you are. You don't need to fix everything today. Some things will untangle themselves when you stop pulling so hard."

— Anne Lamott, from Help, Thanks, Wow

20 Tangible Ideas to Rest and Recharge

These ideas strike a good balance between quick fixes and small habit changes that could lead to more sustainable rest practices.

Top to bottom, left to right: @celinecelinecelinecelinecelin / Delphin Enjolras / @zhiting9513 / unknown / @danielle_mckinney_ / Eros Torso / unknown / Marcel Rieder / @polly.florence / Bill Brandt / unknown / mine

1. The Five-Minute Exit – When you finish a task, take a full five minutes before moving on. Breathe, stretch, or step outside. Let your brain transition before diving into the next thing.

2. Reclaim the Art of Staring – Put your desk by a window and give your eyes a break from screens. Look out, watch the clouds, let your gaze soften. Staring into space is underrated rest.

3. Two-Sentence Journaling – At the end of each day, write just two sentences. One about what went well, another about how you felt. No pressure, just reflection.

4. The Reverse Alarm – Instead of setting an alarm to wake up, set one to remind you when to start winding down at night.

5. Micro-Naps Without Guilt – A 20-minute nap is better than pushing through exhaustion. Lie down, close your eyes, and rest—whether you fall asleep or not.

6. Swap Screen for Paper – Keep a book, notebook, or magazine near your bed. Read or write a few pages before sleep instead of scrolling.

7. The One-Task Morning – Before checking emails or notifications, do one thing that grounds you: get sunlight, stretch while your coffee brews, or practice box breathing.

8. Rearrange a Tiny Space – A small change in your environment signals freshness to your brain. Move a lamp, swap a picture, or reorganize a shelf.

9. The Five-Item Declutter – Pick any five things and put them back where they belong. Instant clarity.

10. Doodle Your Thoughts – No skill required. Let your mind wander on paper for a few minutes.

11. Aromatherapy in Action – Pick a scent you like (eucalyptus, citrus, peppermint) and use it consistently when you need to unwind, forming an association between rest and that scent.

12. Lo-Fi Housework – Fold laundry or do dishes while listening to a favorite album or podcast. Reframe chores as a gentle reset.

13. The 5-5-5 Breathing Reset – Breathe in for five seconds, hold for five, exhale for five. Do this three times.

14. Make a 'No' List – A list of things you're actively choosing not to do. It's just as powerful as a to-do list.

15. A Reverse To-Do List – Write down what you have accomplished instead of what you need to do.

16. Romanticize Your Meal – Use a plate you usually save for special occasions, light a few candles, serve yourself a drink in a nice glass.

17. Change the Temperature – A splash of cold water on your face, a hot shower, or just opening a window can shift your energy.

18. Change Your Scrolling Habit – Create a digital garden with a playlist of essays, newsletters, and articles you want to read during breaks.

19. The 5-Minute Nature Break – Step outside, even if just briefly. Notice and try to memorize the sky, trees, or any small detail in your surroundings.

20. Body Scan Between Meetings – Before jumping into the next task, take a moment for a quick body scan. Ask yourself: What would make me feel more comfortable right now?

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Making Rest a Daily Commitment

Small changes compound into real energy shifts. The goal isn't to overhaul your life overnight but to integrate rest as naturally as brushing your teeth. Start where you are, pick a few ideas that resonate, and see how they reshape your days.

I love hearing from you. As always, let me know—which of these will you try first?

Until next time xo

-D