Episode #160 - Rhythms of Rest: Making Room for Real Recharge

Welcome back friends, you're listening to Organizing with Ease and I'm your host Diana Moll. As always, I'm thrilled to have you here. If you're tuning in for the first time, hello and welcome. I'm a professional organizer and the creator of the Fresh Start Method. This is the place where we talk about clearing the clutter, physically, mentally and emotionally, so we can live more peacefully and intentionally. For the month of May, we've been working through our Simplify Your Day series. We've talked about planning smarter,

simplifying routines, creating clarity with time management, and protecting your energy. But there's one more element that ties it all together. And it's not something that many of us actually prioritize enough, and that is rest. So today we're talking about how to create rhythms of rest in your everyday life. Not just waiting until we're burnt out or we're on vacation, but building space to recharge right

where you are. This episode is going to help you prep for summer without chaos. Let's go. Redefining what rest really means. So let's start about rethinking rest altogether. Because if we're being honest with ourselves, many of us only gives ourselves permissions to rest after everything is done, after the house is clean, after the emails are answered, after the errands are all run. And even then, we usually still what?

Scroll on our phones and then we call it rest. But true rest is so much more than sleeping in or collapsing on the couch at the end of the day. Dr. Sondra Dalton-Smith, a physician and author, identifies seven types of rest we all need. And when I first read through these, I had one of those aha moments because this isn't just about being tired, it's about being depleted in different ways. So let me walk you through each one. And as I do, I want you to check in with yourself. Which one are you most lacking right now? Number one, mental rest. Mental rest is the kind you crave when your mind feels foggy or overloaded. It's that feeling when your thoughts are scattered and you're constantly making decisions. What's for dinner? Who needs to be picked up? When is that meeting again? You might find yourself forgetting things.

Why you walked into a room? Where did you put your keys? Where did I do that? What about my sunglasses? What about my eyeglasses? What did someone just tell me? And you're probably laughing, but let me tell you something. It's not failure, it's fatigue. Your brain is saying, I need a break. Here are some ways to restore it. Give yourself moments of silence throughout the day. No input, no stimulation. A brain dump at night.

Get your thoughts out of your head and onto paper. Write it down. Set timers to focus on one thing at a time instead of multitasking. Number two, sensory rust. We are constantly surrounded by noise. The phones are going, they're pinging. You have your kids are calling, the TV's on in the background. The music's also going. You have your bright screens, artificial lighting. Even if you don't notice it, your nervous system does.

Sensory rest is what you need when your body is overstimulated. So if you're feeling frazzled or irritable for no reason, this could be it. It's because your senses are on overload. Ways to restore it. You wanna create a low stimulation zone at home, stop flighting, fewer devices, silence. Try five minutes of quiet after a meeting or even before you go to bed. No screens, no music. This is possibly where your meditation and maybe some time for gratitude also comes into play. Step outside for natural light, breathe, and air to balance artificial environments. Number three, emotional rest. This is a really big one. Emotional rest is about having the freedom to be authentic. And you're probably thinking, what? Yes, it's what you're missing when you're on that constant quote unquote on button where you're pleasing people.

holding space for everyone else and you're trying to keep it all together. It's that on button. And if you're nodding and you're smiling and you're thinking when you really want to just cry or scream or you feel like you have no one safe to be your full self with, that's a sign you need emotional rest. And here's some ways to restore it. Say no with over explaining. Remember, no is a full sentence.

honestly with a trusted friend or even a therapist. Let yourself express what you feel, even if it's messy. It's okay. Let it go. Number four, spiritual rest. Spiritual rest isn't necessarily religious. It's about reconnecting to something greater than yourself. It's that pause you need when you feel lost, detached, or like you're just going through the motions. You might feel this when your days feel meaningless. or your energy feels misaligned. So here's some ways to restore that. Spend some time in nature away from distractions. Reflect or journal on a purpose or values. Connect with a spiritual practice. You could do meditation, rituals, if you wanted to. You could do also quiet reflection, do some gratitude. And that is what the spiritual rest is all about. Then number five is creative rest.

You might be creatively drained if you feel uninspired, stuck in a rut, or like you're just going through the motions. Creative rest is the replenishment that comes from experiencing the beauty, not producing, but you're receiving. It's especially vital if you are a problem solver, an entrepreneur, a parent, a teacher, or any role that requires constant innovation.

I can so relate to this one. Ways to restore it. Look at the art, listen to music, or watch something that makes you laugh. When was the last time you laughed? And remember, laughter is the best medicine. Walk into a new neighborhood or visit a botanical garden. Allow your mind to wander without trying to do anything. Number six is social rest. Social rest is less than being alone and more about being with the right people. Some relationships just give energy, but others can drain it. And sometimes you need to take a step back from being constantly available or emotionally responsible for others. If you feel burnt out after every intern interaction, it might be time to reset your social circle or reclaim some quiet time.

Ways to restore it, you wanna spend time with people who let you show up as who you are and as you are. Decline the calls or texts when you're not up for it and it's okay. And guess what? Remember something, schedule time alone, even if it's a 20 minute reset. Number seven, the last one, physical rest. This is when we think of first, but it's more than just sleeping.

Physical rest includes both passive rest, like sleeping or taking some naps, and active rest, like stretching, you know, yoga, even soaking in the tub, in the bath with your salts and your bubbles. If you're feeling exhausted in your body, achy, sluggish, drained, this is your signal. Ways to restore it. Go to bed early. Even if it's 20 minutes earlier, it actually does count.

Maybe you might want to trade in an intense workout for maybe walking outside or you wanna stretch. Take real breaks, sit down, lie down and close your eyes. So ask yourself, which of these are you getting and which are you missing? Rest is the foundation, not the reward. When you rest well, you show up well. And here's the organizing connection. Are you ready?

Just like your body needs space to rest, so does your environment. Even one small reset, like clearing off your nightstand, organizing your kitchen counter, or closing those extra tabs on your browser, can create a powerful ripple effect. You don't have to overhaul your life, you just have to begin with awareness and then take a small action. Rest matters even if you have the help.

So let's talk about something that sometimes makes people feel like they don't deserve to feel tired because they have help. You might have a housekeeper who helps with your home. Maybe have a nanny, maybe have a partner who shares the load. And that's amazing. But having help doesn't erase your mental load. You're still the one keeping track of all the schedules, the school calendars, groceries, appointments, and all those future planning.

Even if the floor is mopped and the beds are made, you still might be feeling drained. And why? Because your brain is been on, on all day. And that's not about physical work, it's mental and emotional label. So here's a little bit of a tip. Start using shared systems that get the to-dos out of your head. Write down family tasks, routines, even grocery lists in one visible place.

This frees up your brain space and frees up space, which is what? Restful space. So for those of you that know me, you know I like acronyms. So I took up the word rest and I kindly have broken it down. So I'm gonna call this a summer reset framework for rest. R, release the rush. Let go of the need to do it all. Slow down your schedule. Say no to activities that drain you.

Declutter expectation, yours and the others. Here's a tip, start small. Again, clear one surface, one corner, one shelf. Give your eyes and mind a place to rest. And here's a great quote. You don't have to set yourself on fire to keep others warm. Now that one, that one actually like sets my fire up. I love that one. How about E? Establish ease in your environment.

Create some calm spaces that support your wellbeing. Set up a calm corner in your home. Use baskets, bins, or labeled zones for grab and go summer essentials. Prep your nightstand, bathroom, or kitchen counter to feel inviting and not chaotic. Remember, here's a tip. Tidy, visible surfaces, it brings what? Instant relief. Visual clutter equals mental clutter. Schedule space to breathe. Protect that white space on your calendar. Block off rest time. Yes, like it's a doctor's appointment. Avoid over scheduling. Leave room for spontaneity and recovery. I don't know about you, but spontaneity is always a lot of fun. Add rituals like, you know, your morning routine. And also try that device free at the evening times. Here's a tip. Use a weekly planner to visually block

How about quote unquote, a do nothing time? That sounds kind of cool. And if you want to, you know what, color code it just so that you can just say, oh my gosh, it's my time to do nothing. Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you and Lamont. T, tune in what you truly need. Listen to your body, your mood, your energy. Are you craving connection or?

What about being quiet, having that quiet time? Are you mentally exhausted or physically depleted? What brings you peace right now? So those are some questions you definitely want to be asking yourself. Journal or list three things each week that are working and actually write three that are not. Adjust from there. You are allowed to be both a masterpiece and a work in progress.

Okay, now let's make this super practical. All right, you ready? These are rest rhythms, small things you can do consistently that give you a real pause in your day. A morning minute, for sure. Just take 60 seconds before you do anything. No phone, no talking, sit with your drink, whatever it is in the morning, stretch your neck, look out the window, let your brain kind of ease into the day instead of rushing. Two, do like an evening ease after the kids go to bed.

Or before you start scrolling, create a calming original. Light a candle, put on some music. How about read a book? Or do some deep breathing. Tech-free hour, this is super important. One hour a week, no screens. Can you do that? Could you actually think about doing that? It would actually rest your eyes, your ears, and your mind. White space scheduling. Yes, you heard me right. Look at your week. and literally schedule a block labeled rest, quiet time. Are you hearing me that I'm actually giving you that permission to block off these type of times and calling it that, rest, quiet time? 10 minute declutter and pause. Choose one drawer, set a timer for 10 minutes, tidy it up, then stop. Don't jump to the next task, just appreciate

the cleared space and how it makes you feel. In a study by UCLA, even light clutter in your home was associated with elevated cortisol levels in women. That's your stress hormone. So yes, decluttering is a form of rest. A kind of mind, a busy mom of three with a full-time nanny still felt totally overwhelmed. But together we created a 15 minute window in the afternoon for her to have

Tea. No devices, no chores. Just sit in her little quote unquote calm corner that she created and within two weeks she felt much more emotionally available at dinner and the best part is she was able to sleep better. So your summer reset starts now. As summer approaches, it's easy to shift from one busy season into the other, right? School ends, camps begin, travel ramps up.

And before you know it, you're more tired than you were in May. But not this year, okay? Let's hit that reset button. Think of it like creating a mental mudroom before you walk into the season. This is your summer reset. Let's preview it now, and I'll give you a full checklist next. You ready? Pick one weekend in June to keep honestly free. No plans, no obligations, just flow.

Review your calendar and remove or say no to that one thing that doesn't light you up. Create a joy list for the summer. This isn't a bucket list. It's what brings you peace and a fun list because it's all about fun. Prep your spaces. Clear out those beach bags. I don't know about you, but my beach bag is ready. If you have not done so already, you definitely have to swap out winter items and freshen up your entryway.

Create a summer drop zone. Shoes, hats, sunscreens, grab and go items. And label it. Rest is Resistance by Trisha Hershey. It's bold, it's honest, and it is freeing. This is my book recommendation. If you feel guilty for slowing down, this book will change your mindset. You are not behind. You're just tired. Rest. Then begin again.

So let's do a quick recap of today's episode as we wrap up this month's We redefined rest as a multi-layered mental, emotional, physical, creative, and more. We reminded ourselves that even with the home support, rest is still necessary for you. I shared five doable rhythms of rest you can try this week. No fancy apps are required.

We talked about organizing your space, supports your rest and reduces your stress. And we started planning your summer reset because you know what? You deserve to move into June with clarity and calm. So here is an action step that I want you to consider and take. Pick one rest rhythm and one small organizing project to pair with it. For example, clear your nightstand and start a nighttime winding down routine.

Why not? Right? Why not? Then we went into the summer reset and it starts with rest. We want to reset your space. We want to embrace what feels easy. We want to slow it down on purpose and then T, tend to what matters. Finally, this is your moment to tune in. What matters to you right now? What do you need more of? Connection, quiet, play, nourishment, joy?

This is about organizing your energy around what's meaningful. Let go of comparison, step out of autopilot and tend to your life the way that you tend to a garden with care, with attention, with love. Maybe you might want a journal. Maybe you text someone just to say hello. Maybe you do that one thing today that has absolutely zero purpose except that it brings you happiness. So as we wrap up today's episode,

I hope this will set the rhythm for your summer. As we will reset your space, embrace your ease, slow it down and tend to what matters. So don't forget the full summer reset is going to be coming about starting in June. I can't wait to take this on to the next level into the summertime. Take care.

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