For years, I thought my issue was motivation. I’d get excited to start a new routine—new week, new mindset, new me. I’d meal prep, plan my workouts, and go all in. But as soon as I missed a day or two, I’d feel like I had failed again. It was frustrating and discouraging. Eventually, I realized it wasn’t about discipline or desire—it was that I didn’t have habits in place. I kept relying on motivation to get me through, and motivation always wore off.

For the longest time, I thought if I wanted to get healthy, I had to go all in. I’d tell myself, “This is it. I’m starting Monday.” Then I’d make a huge plan: clean out the fridge, prep all my meals, do an intense workout schedule, drink a gallon of water, stop eating after 7, start journaling, meditate… you get the idea. And to be honest, that version of me usually lasted about three or four days.

When you’re working hard to create a healthier lifestyle, it’s tempting to believe that you always have to be doing something to make progress. Workout. Prep. Push. Hustle. Repeat. But here’s the truth I had to learn the hard way: rest is not a reward you earn after doing enough—rest is part of the plan. If you want to build strength, change habits, or live with more energy, rest isn’t just allowed. It’s essential.