The Hidden Cost of Pushing Through (And Why Rest is Productive)
Let me fess up to something: As a mind-body practitioner and coach who literally teaches people about the importance of rest and boundaries, I’m currently breaking every rule in my own book.
Right now, I’m juggling a demanding day job while building my coaching business, and "pushing through" isn’t just a habit—it’s my default setting.
You know that voice that says, “Just push through a little longer”? Yeah, I hear it every single day. Between back-to-back meetings at work, client sessions in the evening, volunteering, workouts, and squeezing in content creation—while still trying to have a social life—I’ve become an expert at ignoring headaches, powering through exhaustion, and convincing myself that rest is for people who have fewer commitments.
(Spoiler alert: That mythical “less busy” time? It never actually arrives.)
When You Preach Balance But Live on Burnout
The irony isn’t lost on me.
I teach others about burnout while lately, I’ve been running on fumes myself.
I preach about boundaries while answering work emails at 11 PM. And yes, I feel like a complete hypocrite sometimes.
But maybe that’s exactly why I need to share this—because the "push through" mentality is so ingrained that even those of us who know better still fall into its trap.
Why Do We Keep Pushing?
Sure, there are the usual culprits:
Hustle culture.
Toxic productivity.
The "I'll rest when I'm dead" mindset.
But for many of us, especially those building something on the side, it runs deeper than that.
💭 We push because we’re afraid of falling behind.
💭 We push because we feel like we’re playing catch-up in our dreams.
💭 We push because saying no feels like giving up.
But here’s what I’m learning the hard way:
This "push through" mentality comes with a steeper price tag than we realize.
The Body Always Collects Its Debts
Your body keeps a ruthless ledger of every time you ignore its signals, and eventually, it demands payment with interest.
Lately, I’ve noticed my brain glitching—forgetting basic words mid-sentence, stuttering like a buffering video as I search for terms I use every day.
That’s not just tiredness.
That’s my brain waving a white flag.
The mental toll is even worse. I know the signs by now—when I’ve pushed myself too far:
📌 The productivity high that lasts for days… only to crash hard by Thursday.
📌 Prioritizing yoga and the gym—because I know movement is essential—but sometimes choosing a workout over sleep, as if I can out-exercise exhaustion.
📌 Struggling to focus, struggling to care, struggling to remember why I started in the first place.
The irony?
I know better. I know the right tools. I teach them.
But balance?
That’s a concept I talk about—but lately, it’s not one I live.
The Productivity Paradox No One Talks About
We convince ourselves that pushing through exhaustion is a badge of honor.
But the truth?
Even when you know all the right tools, implementing them consistently is a whole different game.
What If Rest Wasn’t Something You "Earned"—But Something You Protected?
Here’s my challenge to both you and myself:
What if we treated rest not as something we “earn” after finishing everything (because let’s be honest, the to-do list never ends)…
…but as a non-negotiable part of building something sustainable?
I’m starting small.
✔ A hard stop at 9 PM for work emails.
✔ One full evening a week with zero business tasks.
✔ Being honest about my limitations instead of pretending I can do it all.
Because here’s the truth:
🚨 Building a business while working a full-time job is already hard enough.
🚨 Doing it while running ourselves into the ground? That’s not dedication—it’s self-sabotage.
Your Turn: Let’s Figure This Out Together
💡 What’s one way you can intentionally build rest into your life this week, even with all your commitments?
I’d love to hear your thoughts—maybe we can figure out this balance thing together.
Because sometimes the most revolutionary act isn’t pushing harder—it’s having the courage to pause.
