There’s a kind of tiredness many carry that have nothing to do with sleep. It’s the kind of tiredness that sits in your bones, in your chest, in the way your voice drops when you say, “I’m fine”, but you’re not.
Growing up, a lot of us were taught that rest was a reward you earn, not a right you deserve. We saw people praised for being “strong,” even when they were clearly worn out. We learned that saying “yes” made you good, and saying “no” made you selfish.
But here’s what nobody told us: even God rested.
After creating everything, He took a day off, not because He needed to, but because rest is part of creation too.
In our world, especially here in Nigeria, rest is treated like a luxury, something you can only afford when everything is perfect. But life is never perfect. The work is never done. And if we keep waiting for the perfect moment to pause, we’ll burn out before we get there. It’s time we change the way we see rest.
Rest isn’t laziness.
Rest is how we survive.
Rest is how we say to ourselves, “I matter, even when I’m not producing, fixing, or showing up for others.”
That’s where the word “no” comes in. And yet, it’s the hardest word to say.
Saying “no” feels dangerous, especially when you’ve been raised to people-please, to avoid being seen as rude or ungrateful. But saying “no” is necessary. It protects your time, your energy, and your peace.
It’s okay to say:
“No, I can’t talk right now.
No, I won’t stretch myself thin.
No, I’m not available.”
You are not cold for protecting your peace. You’re not unkind for choosing yourself. You’re just someone who finally realized that constant availability is not the same as love.
So here’s your permission to pause. To turn off your phone. To take a walk. To sleep in. To rest , not just when you’ve earned it, but because you’re human. Even God rested.
Even you can say “no.” And maybe, just maybe, that’s where real strength begins.
Published on August 9, 2025
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