A sustainable rhythm needs rest.
Growing up, my piano teacher would talk about the importance of the beats in between the notes. Without the appropriate pauses, my songs sounded like a jumbled mess. That’s because the notes can’t do their job and establish a rhythm without rest.
I’ve seen the value of creating a rhythm and simple routine for me and our family as well. Our rhythm has changed a lot these past couple of months, but something that hasn’t changed is the importance of rest.
With three littles running around our house (well, technically one is still crawling but she’s speedy!), I need to be really intentional if I’m going to rest. This is especially true when my kiddos make it clear that attempting to get a full night of sleep is a fool’s errand.
If our desired rhythm doesn’t seem to be working, it might be worth looking to see if we’re giving ourselves opportunities for rest throughout our days and weeks. We prioritize nap time and rest for our kids, but we can easily forget to do this for ourselves. I also do better when instead of trying to follow a rigid schedule, I create more of a “routine”...think looser time frames and more flexibility overall. (Because how do you “schedule” time for cleaning up diaper blowouts and impromptu picnic parties?)
One thing I’m trying to be better about adding into my routine is taking at least 15 minutes during my kids’ nap/quiet time to either rest my eyes or at least rest my mind. This can can look different daily, but it’s definitely not scrolling on social or reading the news! I pretty much rely only on family and friends to give me news these days, which still offers more than enough. 😉
Another thing my husband and I have been doing on the weekends is taking turns doing a few hour shift at some point where one person is “on duty” and the other gets a little break. Maybe we’ll still go on a family walk or watch our church service together during that time, but basically when you are off duty it means you aren’t responsible for diaper changes, meal prep, cleaning spills, etc. It’s been a game changer!
I’ve learned that without good rest, I become a jumbled mess—just like my piano playing back in the day. I’m a way better mom and wife and human when I take time to rest. That can look like going to bed at a decent hour, resting my mind in God’s promises, and setting down the to-do list.
As we continue to figure out new rhythms and routines in this ever-changing world, let’s remember that a good rhythm also needs good rest.
