We live in a world that glorifies hustle.
From the moment we wake up, there’s a push to perform, to produce, to keep up. The grind becomes a badge of honor. Rest? That’s for the weak. Burnout? Just another hill to climb. But what if the key to breakthrough isn’t pushing harder—but pulling away?
Anne Lamott, with her trademark honesty and wit, puts it plainly:
“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.”
It’s a simple idea. Familiar, even. If your phone starts glitching, you restart it. When your Wi-Fi lags, you reset the router. So why is it that when you feel overwhelmed, exhausted, or stuck—you think the solution is to keep going?
Let’s change that.
The Myth of Constant Productivity
We’ve been sold a dangerous idea: that our value is measured by our output.
The more you do, the more worthy you are. The busier your calendar, the more successful you must be. And so we run ourselves ragged. We over-caffeinate, under-sleep, say yes too often, and wear stress like a second skin.
But here's the truth no one wants to say out loud: you are not a machine. And even if you were, machines need maintenance, too.
Productivity without pause leads to burnout. Burnout leads to breakdowns—mental, emotional, sometimes even physical. When your tank is empty, you can’t run on fumes forever.
Unplugging isn’t laziness. It’s wisdom.
Rest is Revolutionary
We often equate rest with weakness, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Rest is strategic. Rest is strength. Rest is revolutionary.
Think about some of the greatest minds in history—Einstein, Da Vinci, Maya Angelou. They all understood the power of pause. They knew that creativity, insight, and clarity don’t come from frantic doing, but from intentional being.
When you unplug, you allow yourself to reset. You give your body time to heal. Your mind time to wander. Your heart time to listen. This stillness is where ideas are born. Where direction becomes clear. Where you remember who you are beneath the noise.
Signs You Need to Unplug
Most of us don’t realize we need a reset until we hit a wall. But the signs are always there:
- You wake up tired, even after a full night’s sleep.
- You’re irritable over small things.
- Your creativity feels blocked.
- You’re distracted, anxious, or just “off.”
- You keep saying, “I don’t have time for a break.”
If this sounds familiar, you don’t need more caffeine. You need space. Stillness. A few minutes—or hours—without demands.
Sometimes, five quiet minutes in the morning is enough. Sometimes, it’s a weekend off social media. Other times, it’s a sabbatical from the constant doing. However it looks, it’s not an escape—it’s a homecoming.
The Power of the Pause
There’s something almost sacred about stepping away.
When you unplug, even briefly, something shifts. You reconnect with your breath. You remember the sound of silence. You realize that the world keeps turning even when you take a moment to sit still.
And when you return—whether it’s to your work, your relationships, your goals—you come back clearer, sharper, more grounded. You begin to move from overflow rather than depletion.
Here’s the beautiful irony: pulling away can help you move forward faster.
How to Actually Unplug (Even When Life Is Busy)
Let’s get practical. You don’t need to book a trip to Bali to reset (though that’s nice too). Here are ways to unplug daily, weekly, and intentionally:
- Start Your Day Tech-Free
Instead of diving into emails or scrolling social media, spend your first 15–30 minutes in silence. Journal. Breathe. Sit with your coffee. Let your mind wake up naturally.
- Take Microbreaks
Every 90 minutes, step away. Stretch. Walk. Look outside. Let your brain disconnect. Even 5 minutes can make a difference.
- Digital Detox Hours
Create “no screen” zones in your day—like during meals or the last hour before bed. Your mind needs time to rest from stimulation.
- Weekly Sabbath (Rest Day)
Choose one day a week to do less. No work. No pressure. Just rest, reflection, and reconnection.
- Nature Time
Get outside. Even 20 minutes in nature reduces stress and boosts mood. Leave your phone behind if you can.
- Say No More Often
Unplugging also means detaching from obligations that drain you. Set boundaries. Protect your peace.
You’re Allowed to Be a Human
There’s no medal for exhaustion. No trophy for pushing through pain. Your worth isn’t tied to your hustle. You are allowed—encouraged, even—to rest. To unplug. To sit still.
It doesn’t make you lazy. It makes you human.
You don’t need to earn rest. You deserve it.
So if you’re tired, take a breath.
If you’re overwhelmed, take a walk.
If you’re disconnected from yourself, disconnect from the world—for just a moment.
When you come back, you’ll be stronger. Brighter. Clearer.
Final Thought
Anne Lamott’s words are more than a clever observation—they’re a lifeline.
“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.”
So today, give yourself permission.
Not to push, but to pause.
Not to perform, but to breathe.
Not to prove, but to be.
Because your best work, your truest joy, and your deepest clarity don’t come when you’re running on empty. They come when you’re refueled, reconnected, and fully present.
Unplug, just for a little while.
And watch what begins to work again—starting with you.
