Rest intentionally

Today I realized most of my rest is unintentional.

Intentional rest is scheduled and proactive. It’s taking a break before reaching failure on tough intellectual tasks — before my willpower runs dry. Unintentional rest is what happens when I can’t stand doing whatever I’m working on anymore.

Intentional rest comes from knowing it’s essential to boost my performance. Unintentional rest feels guilty, like I’m sneaking away from what I should be doing. It’s usually paired with chasing quick dopamine hits.

Intentional rest clears my mind, and helps me remember what really matters. Unintentional rest fogs it, and nudges me toward what’s easy in the moment.

Unintentional rest is about sedation and instant gratification—it feels good right then, but the effect fades fast. Intentional rest, on the other hand, brings peace. It’s calm, steady, and leaves me sharper for what’s next.

Here are some examples of intentional rest:

• Sitting on the couch and just observing my thoughts, no distractions.
• Making a coffee and sipping it slowly, phone nowhere in sight.
• Taking a 10-minute walk outside, letting my mind wander without a podcast or playlist.
• Lying down with my eyes closed, breathing deeply for a few minutes.

The difference hit me hard today. Unintentional rest drains me in the long run, even if it’s fun in the moment. Intentional rest rebuilds me. It’s not about escaping—it’s about preparing. I see it clearly: rest isn’t just a break, it’s a tool. Used right, it’s how I keep showing up sharp for the work that matters.