You are not Behind: A Call to Radical Rest, Comfort & Self-Care

1/29/2025

A citizenry too stressed out to pay attention is easily manipulated; a workforce too anxious to think is easily controlled; people who are in a hurry buy stuff. To me, there’s a record-scratch, everyone-at-the-party-stop-and-stare quality to the simple statement, “you are not behind.” -Lyndsey Medford

You are not Behind

The words you are not behind were the title of an email I received on the day I wrote this post. And the quote was near the bottom of it, after the author talked about slowing down to heal an autoimmune disease, reorienting her life around caring for her newborn, and repeating that message to herself again and again, out loud and on sticky notes, until she got it.

By the time I reached the end of the email, I was not only committed to telling myself the same thing, but I knew I also wanted to share this message with you.

A Radical Call to Rest,
Comfort & Self-Care

I got to the end of the email and began to imagine, fueled by her quote, living in a world where women were not manipulated by the tyranny of a to-do list, by the sense of being behind, by the anxiety of imagined failure or by a culture led by the same ideas.

Here are the changes that might be possible...

Our minds, bodies, hearts, and souls would rest

We'd be much less susceptible to manipulation and gaslighting (and we will need that in 2025 & beyond)

The commitment to slower living, a comfort-centered lifestyle, gentle healing and radical self-care would stop feeling like a wish or luxury and the determination to experience them all would kick in.

What else can you imagine that might happen for you, in your life?

I hope this post inspires you.

See you next time!

Love, Jeanine

8 Comments

Jasmine Quiles link

1/29/2025 07:34:48 am

This post truly resonated with me—especially the idea of radical rest as an essential part of self-care. It's such a refreshing reminder in our busy world! I love how you highlighted the importance of intentionally creating space for rest and comfort, which really speaks to me as someone who uses crochet as a way to unwind and find peace in my day. Thank you for this inspiring message!

Jeanine Byers link

1/29/2025 05:18:41 pm

Thank you, Jasmine! I'm glad it resonates with you. And that crocheting gives you a built-in way to rest.

Martha link

1/29/2025 07:43:01 am

I don't feel too worried about a to-do-list but after last year my anxiety and stress have been off the chart not to mention my mind going in circles. I know I need to slow my inner self down and learn to relax. I feel myself being suffocated but since following some of you ideas on mediation and self-care I think I will get back on track.

1/29/2025 05:20:38 pm

Martha, I'm sending you hugs and slow, deep breaths!! I have so much respect for the way you are taking care of yourself right now. I know you can do it.

Tamara link

1/29/2025 02:40:23 pm

Ha, I know why you said to me yesterday you couldn't wait for me to read this post. I know I should slow down. I have a hard time figuring out how though. I can't back out of my many commitments, the only thing I can do is to take breaks and consciously enjoy them, which I do. In the meantime, I just realized I forgot about two items on my to-do list ;-)

1/29/2025 05:23:10 pm

LOL about your to-do list! I know what you mean - sometimes there are just things that have to be done. And taking breaks in between really will help. I've experienced that myself.

Nadya King link

1/29/2025 07:27:07 pm

Lovely reminder of the importance of self-care and attending to our OWN needs!
Happy year of the Snake!

Kebba Buckley Button link

1/29/2025 08:48:56 pm

Jeanine,yes! In my youth, I and my siblings were often told to hustle, to hurry up. My father, later in life, thought it was very funny to yell, "Macht schnell!" then burst out in his drunk-laugh. I am in my last quarter of life, and I caught myself just yesterday telling myself to hurry. I heard it, then realized I was making my breakfast, and there was no reason to rush. Good catch! I dropped my shoulders, slowed my steps, and had a lovely grace-filled breakfast. Thanks for raising this subject.