Ahhh, August: What We Learned About Rest, Reflection, and Real Life

Jhoe Virago
1 day ago
3 min read

Lifted Family, let’s be honest. We came into August with one goal: rest. But somewhere between the buzzing phones, endless to-do lists, and that random wave of FOMO that sneaks up when you see everybody else “booked and busy”… rest started feeling like a luxury spa package instead of a daily necessity.

But here’s the truth: rest isn’t earned, it’s essential. And throughout August, we learned what it actually takes to pause, reflect, and reclaim our energy without beating ourselves up in the process. Let’s recap what we covered and how you can carry it forward into the whirlwind that is the rest of the year.

🌿 Week 1: The Power of the Pause

We kicked things off by talking about why I stepped away from social media and how sometimes the bravest thing you can do is put life on pause. Not “lazy pause.” Not “I’ll catch up tomorrow pause.” Intentional pause.

Key Takeaway: Pausing is not weakness — it’s a reset.

👉 Action Step: Give yourself a permission slip to rest (literally, we made one). When guilt creeps in, remind yourself:

“Rest is my reset, not my weakness.”

⚖ Week 2: The Weight of Stillness

Slowing down is cute until you realize it costs something. And no, I don’t mean spa money (although that too). I mean it can cost you control, momentum, approval, FOMO, and sometimes even relationships.

We talked about how people love you most when you’re available 24/7 — but your spirit doesn’t.

Key Takeaway: Let go of what rushes you. What you gain in return is priceless.

👉 Action Step: Identify one thing that rushes you (notifications, toxic validation, doing too much) and practice releasing it. Turn the phone on Do Not Disturb, cancel that extra “yes,” or literally take a nap instead of another errand.

🪞 Week 3: Reflect to Rise

This is where things got deeper. We broke down the difference between reflection and regret. Reflection says, “What did that teach me?” Regret says, “Why did I do that?”

One moves you forward, the other keeps you stuck replaying old episodes of a show that’s already canceled.

Key Takeaway: Reflection without regret helps you rise, not sink.

👉 Action Step: Journal on this prompt:

“This week I learned ______, and I will carry it into next week by ______.”

Do it weekly. You’ll be shocked at the patterns you notice and how much lighter you feel.

🛋 Week 4: Rituals of Relief

We closed the month by creating rest rituals that are realistic, not Instagram-perfect. Walks, naps, mindful coffee, coloring, tech-free breaks — whatever helps you breathe slower.

Key Takeaway: Rest rituals don’t need to be fancy. They just need to be yours.

👉 Action Step: Choose ONE rest ritual and actually schedule it. Add it to your calendar like it’s a dentist appointment. Because spoiler alert: your dentist is not the only one who wants you to open wide and take a seat.

🚦 What Gets In The Way (And How To Handle It)

“I don’t have time.” → Start with 5 minutes. Micro-rest counts.
“People need me.” → You can’t pour from an empty cup (or even a half-empty one).
“I feel guilty.” → Remember: even machines need to shut down. You are not more durable than an iPhone.

🎉 Looking Ahead: Rest During the Holiday Rush

As the holidays creep up (a.k.a. the season where calendars get packed tighter than TSA bins at LAX), remember: rest is sacred. Build it in now before life starts handing you forced timeouts.

3 Quick Tips for Carrying Rest Forward:

Plan your pauses → Actually schedule downtime.
Protect your peace → Boundaries aren’t rude, they’re relief.
Practice reflection → Turn mistakes into lessons, not regrets.

✨ Final Word

Lifted Family, rest doesn’t erase the chaos of life — it equips you to face it. You don’t need a retreat, a silent cabin in the woods, or a monk’s level of discipline to rest. You just need the courage to pause, reflect, and remind yourself that your worth isn’t in how fast you move.

So as we step into the next month, ask yourself:

💭 What’s one rest ritual I’m taking with me?

💭 What’s one thing I’m releasing that rushes me?

And remember… As always, keep your head up and your spirit lifted. Keep it vertical 🦋