Why You Should Take a Break Before Life Forces You To
Have you ever been so busy that you forgot to breathe?
Not really forget to breathe, but the kind of busy where your mind is full, your body is tired, and even fun things don’t feel fun anymore?
That’s how Julian felt in The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari. He was a super successful lawyer with a big house, a shiny red Ferrari, and a calendar full of meetings. On the outside, it looked like he had everything. But on the inside, he was falling apart.
He worked too much, slept too little, and never stopped to rest. Until one day, his body forced him to stop. He collapsed in court from a heart attack. That scary moment changed his life forever.
Don’t Wait for a Wake-Up Call
Julian’s story is not just a made-up tale. A lot of people today are living like that — running, rushing, always saying “I’m busy.”
We push and push, thinking we have to do everything. But if we’re not careful, our body or mind will eventually say, “Enough!”
So here’s the big question: Why wait for life to stop you when you can take control and pause yourself?
Signs That You Might Need a Break
You don’t need a heart attack to realize something is wrong.
There are little signs that tell you it’s time to slow down:
• You’re tired all the time, even after sleeping.
• You feel grumpy, worried, or stressed for no clear reason.
• You have trouble focusing or remembering things.
• You don’t enjoy things you used to love.
• You always feel like there’s “too much” to do.
These are warning lights — like when your car shows that it’s low on gas. Your body and mind are telling you, please slow down.
Rest Is Not Lazy. It’s Smart.
In our world, people often think that resting is being lazy. But that’s not true.
Rest is not a reward. It’s a responsibility.
Just like eating, sleeping, or brushing your teeth, taking a break is part of taking care of yourself.
Think of your mind like a phone. If you never charge your phone, it dies. Your brain is the same. Rest is your mental “charger.”
What Happens When You Rest
When you take a break before you burn out, amazing things happen:
• You think more clearly.
• You feel more calm and happy.
• You get new ideas and solve problems faster.
• You have more energy to do what matters.
• You enjoy life more!
In the book, Julian traveled far away and learned how monks live peacefully. He found joy not by doing more, but by doing less — and doing it with love and focus.
5 Easy Ways to Rest Before You Burn Out
You don’t have to go live in the mountains like Julian.
Here are 5 small but powerful ways to rest before life forces you to:
1. Take a 10-Minute Break Every Day
Step away from your work, phone, or chores. Sit quietly. Breathe. Go outside. Just be.
2. Plan a "Do-Nothing" Hour
Pick one hour each week where you have no chores, no emails, no calls. Just relax or do something fun and easy.
3. Try a Mini Weekend Reset
Even if you can’t go far, do something different on the weekend — visit a park, paint, or read. Let your brain rest from the usual rush.
4. Say “No” More Often
You don’t have to say yes to everything. Protect your time. It’s okay to rest.
5. Get Quiet Before You Sleep
Turn off your screens 30 minutes before bed. Journal or listen to soft music. Let your mind slow down.
Final Thought
You are not a robot. You are not a machine.
You are a person — a human being, not a human doing.
You are allowed to pause.
In fact, you need to pause. Because when you take care of yourself, you can take better care of everything and everyone else in your life.
So don’t wait until life forces you to stop.
Choose rest now.
Choose peace now.
Choose you.
Would you like a free printable "Take a Break" checklist to go along with this blog? I can create one for you!
