Rest, Restoration, and Reconnecting with What Fills Us Up

We all know the anticipation of the weekend. Two glorious days await. Days of rest, renewal, and projects centered around life outside of work. But, before we know it, Sunday evening has come and we may be no more restored as when we left work Friday.

What happened? We did rest after all. That half season we crushed again of Everybody Loves Raymond is proof!

But what’s the difference between rest that only entertains but doesn’t restore, and rest that truly restores.

Entertainment vs. Restoration: What’s the Difference?

Let’s get one thing straight—there’s nothing inherently wrong with “vegging out.” We’ve all spent evenings caught up in the hypnotic patterns of Block Blast, and you know what? That’s not a bad thing. Sometimes, after a long day, we just need our brains to turn off. Mindless games or binge-watching isn’t the enemy—it’s just about owning what it is: a way to check out.

While these activities can be a form of rest, they don’t always leave us restored. They’re easy, requiring no planning or intention. On the other hand, the things that truly bring us back to life may require a bit more effort. Maybe it’s a walk outside, playing a game with others, playing music that stirs our soul, or painting a canvas with colors that speak what words can’t—these things don’t always come as naturally as flipping on Netflix. They take preparation, intention, and sometimes a little push to get started. Yet, at the end of those activities, we might feel more awake, more alive, more connected to who we are.

The Trap of Unexamined Habits

So, how can you tell the difference between what’s entertaining and what moves into deeply restorative? It might come down to how you feel at the end of an activity. If you are more awake, energized, or positively connected to yourself—even if physically tired—it’s restorative. For example, you might spend an hour organizing a cluttered room, creating order out of chaos, and feel a profound sense of “things are as they should be.”  Or maybe you cook a good meal and share it with people you love, seeing their enjoyment—and it leaves you feeling full in a way that has nothing to do with food. In our experience, it seems that restoration often involves an element of playfulness, wonder —something that feels a little nonsensical, free, or unexpected. —they’re about reconnecting with the parts of ourselves that get buried under the daily grind.

Sometimes we default to non-restorative activities—not because they’re bad, but because they’re habitual, easy, or simply what we’ve always done. Maybe we don’t have the resources (time, energy, or bandwidth) to pursue something more intentional. Or maybe we’ve never stopped to examine what these habits are really doing for us, choosing the path of least resistance because it’s familiar, not because it’s filling us up.

Curiosity is key. What if you start collecting data on yourself? Pay attention to how you feel after an activity—not just in the moment, but over time. Did that TV show leave you feeling refreshed or sluggish? Did perusing social media spark inspiration or drain your energy? And if something feels life-draining, ask why. Was it the content? Did you do it for too long?

Some days, playing a game on your phone may feel like a playful, lighthearted break—it creates a sense of wonder and ease. Other days, the same activity might leave you feeling zoned out and disconnected. What’s the difference? Maybe one day you played for 15 minutes and stopped; another day you lost track of time and went down a rabbit hole. Being curious about those patterns helps adjust and make space for what truly restores you.

Spring Forward with Intention

As we come out of our winter hibernation and step into longer days, let’s take a moment to reflect on what fills us up. It’s not about demonizing the couch or the screen—it’s about making space for the things that leave us feeling more alive, more awake, more ourselves.

So, what’s one thing you can try this week—something playful, intentional, or soul-stirring—that might bring a little restoration into your life?