In a world that constantly pushes us to do more, achieve more, and be more productive, the simple pleasures of recreation and leisure often get lost in the chaos of our lives. Take a moment to slow down and think about how caught up we are in our to-do lists and deadlines, and we forget what it feels like to truly relax and enjoy ourselves. But that does not mean we cannot rekindle our relationship with our past selves – the self that took everything one step at a time.
In this blog, we’re going to explore the lost art of recreation and leisure. We will look at why these moments of relaxation are not just optional but essential to our well-being. So, take a seat and enjoy the pause of life while reading this blog. Believe that you can reconnect with the little things. You can rediscover the joy of slowing down, the same one you last remember in adolescence. You can reconnect with the activities that once made you feel alive.
Most of us treat self-care like a reward we have to earn after an exhausting day. If we haven’t completely worn ourselves out, we don’t deserve that last scoop of ice cream, the leftover Twix bar, or the face mask we’ve been dying to try. Sound familiar? Like you can’t indulge in any downtime unless every item on your to-do list is checked off? And when you don’t meet that impossible standard you’ve set for yourself, you push harder, day after day, until you eventually burn out.
Now, here’s the truth about burnout: it is far from glamorous. It is your body’s way of pulling the emergency brake because it has been deprived of rest for too long. It’s your body screaming at you: Enough—I need a break.
And that is your sign! When your muscles tense up and ache, when it feels like you’re carrying an invisible weight you can’t shake off, when your mind is stuck on high alert, and your back constantly aches, that’s not just stress—it is your body waving a red flag. It’s telling you that it’s been running on empty and can’t keep going without a reset. And the sad reality is most of us choose to ignore it, so the cycle of stress and anxiety continues. It becomes a constant in our physical and mental state that we reach a point where we have to walk through life with it being there.
But it doesn’t have to be this way.
This is exactly what Nate Dallas’s You’re Too Good to Feel This Bad: An Orthodox Approach to Living an Unorthodox Life explores. Dallas challenges the common belief that anxiety is a disease, suggesting instead that it is your body’s natural way of communicating its needs/physiological response—urging you to slow down and take care of yourself. Dallas empathizes with his readers, recognizing how engaging in self-care might feel undeserved at times, and teaches us in his guide that it is about unlearning that action, relearning to listen to your body, and taking proactive steps to take care of your well-being that will help you transform your life.
So, start by immersing yourself in activities that bring joy, and set firm boundaries with technology to protect the connections that truly matter. Prioritize face-to-face conversations and experiences that foster meaningful relationships. Open up about your thoughts and feelings, and invite others to do the same. When you’re with someone, give them your full attention—no multitasking. Most importantly, embrace mindfulness to be fully present in the moment.
As Dallas suggests, this isn’t just about checking out; it is about reclaiming leisure and recreation as important aspects of life. So, engage in your favorite hobby, cook yourself a nice meal, and read that book you’ve been putting off, even if your to-do list isn’t complete. Because, yes, you do deserve it.
Ready to transform your life with Dallas? Grab your copy today and get started!
