Feeling Stretched Too Thin? This Is Your Permission to Pause
You don’t have to earn your rest—you already deserve it.
Have you ever had one of those days where you’re doing all the things, showing up in every role, checking off every box… and yet, it still doesn’t feel like enough?
Like no matter how much you do, there’s this quiet pressure whispering that you should be doing more. Being more. Holding it all together—flawlessly.
Yeah? Me too.
It’s a strange kind of exhaustion—being everything to everyone, while slowly disappearing from your own life.
You’re the glue holding things together, yet no one really sees how close you are to falling apart.
If you’re nodding right now, this one’s for you.
Because sometimes what we need isn’t another routine tweak or productivity hack.
Sometimes, we just need someone to say:
“You’re allowed to slow down. You’re allowed to rest. You’re allowed to give yourself grace.”
If Feeling Lost? What If You’re Not Lost—Just Disconnected from You? was the wake-up call...
Then this is the pause.
The exhale.
The “how are you, really?” that too often gets buried under responsibilities and expectations.
After publishing that last post, my inbox filled with messages like:
🌀 “I cried reading this.”
🌀 “My soul needed it.”
🌀 “There were so many gems in here.”
And I realized something—we’re not just tired.
We’re craving permission.
To soften.
To slow down.
To stop pretending we’re okay when we’re anything but.
This Is Your Permission Slip
You don’t have to have it all figured out.
You don’t need to keep pushing through when your body’s begging you to rest.
You don’t have to keep pretending to be okay just to make others comfortable.
You deserve grace.
Even if you feel behind.
Even if the laundry’s still sitting in the basket.
Even if all you did today was show up.
Grace says:
“You’re doing your best—and that’s enough.”
The Power of Checking In With Yourself
One of the simplest but most life-giving things I’ve been doing lately is regular self check-ins.
Not long journal sessions. Not deep therapy dives.
Just simple moments to ask:
“What do I need right now?”
Followed by:
“And how can I give that to myself—even in the smallest way?”
Sometimes I need quiet. So I go to the beach.
I let the sound of waves soothe me, feel the breeze brushing against my skin, and watch birds flitting between branches. It’s peaceful. It grounds me.
Other times, I need to write.
Not polished thoughts—just raw, honest, messy truths dumped onto paper. It clears my mind. Makes space to breathe again.
These check-ins are my way of coming home to myself.
Because when I don’t ask what I need, I start running on autopilot.
And I’ve worked too hard to go back to that version of me.
Try This Today:
Take a breath and ask:
✨ What do I need right now?
(Besides an all-expense-paid trip far, far away… lol)
Is it:
– A few minutes outside with no distractions?
– A warm cup of tea in silence?
– Saying “no” to something that feels heavy?
– Writing the thoughts swirling in your head without judgment?
Start there. Even five intentional minutes can change how you feel.
5 Gentle Ways to Embrace Grace
You don’t need more to do.
You just need more permission to be.
Here’s what that’s looked like for me lately:
1. Pause Before You Pour
Instead of automatically giving to others, pause and check in with yourself first.
2. Release the Guilt of Rest
Rest is not a reward—it’s your right. You’re not lazy. You’re human.
3. Say No Without Explaining Yourself to Death
“No” is a complete sentence. Your peace matters.
4. Let Go of the Performance
You don’t need to perform your strength. It’s okay to not be okay.
5. Celebrate the Small Wins
If you got out of bed, took a deep breath, or held it together when you wanted to fall apart… that counts.
You Are Not a Machine. You Are a Soul.
And your soul needs care.
It needs quiet.
It needs room to feel and space to be.
So keep checking in.
Keep asking the question:
What do I need right now?
And honor the answer—even in small ways.
Because you don’t need to do more to be worthy of care.
You already are.
So, how are you really doing? I’d like to hear from you.
✨ If you need more support on this journey, my book Girl, Give Yourself a Break is full of reminders and exercises like this to help you slow down, show up for yourself, and soften into your own life.
📖 Grab my book here
📝 Read “Feeling Lost? What If You’re Not Lost—Just Disconnected from You?" if you missed it.
With breath, softness & a whole lot of grace,
Nish