Why is it that we celebrate the days when we “get everything done” but rarely feel proud of the days when we rest, reflect, or move slowly?
A Day That Checked All the Boxes
I caught myself thinking the other day, “That was a great, productive day.”
I had started the day with some yoga and meditation. I worked all day but took a break for a walk at lunch. I wrapped up a few projects that had been “cooking” for a while. After work, I picked up my kid, and we chatted the whole way home. Then it was dinner, followed by the bedtime routine. We read together, talked about our days, and laughed about how similar the words “moon,” “blanket,” and “leg” sound in Vietnamese. Then we cuddled as my kid eased into sleep.
Once the kiddo was tucked in, around 9 pm, I went to the kitchen, tuned into a recorded lecture about an Indigenous research framework, and started preparing dinner for the next day, knowing it’d be another full day of work, family, and school.
By the time I was finished, it was 11 pm. I was tired but content. I got a lot done that day — not just for work and my business, but also for myself and my family. I should be proud. I made wise choices and accomplished what I needed to.
But a part of me hesitated.
When Productivity Becomes a Trap
I’ve been here before. Feeling proud and “on top of the world” because I had done ALL the things. I’m superwoman! I could have it all! There’s no stopping me!
But I’ve also been stopped before. A day like that, while it felt great in the moment, isn’t sustainable on repeat in the long run. I’ve been there, and I know that at some point, I would start making unwise choices for my well-being. The yoga and meditation would get pushed aside for a few extra minutes of restless sleep. The walk at lunch would disappear under the weight of meetings because I was operating from my “stressed self, not my best self” (a phrase I love from the amazing Tara Wagner). Soon, the precious bedtime cuddles and conversations with my kid would be overshadowed by anxious thoughts and a relentless to-do list.
All because I was chasing the illusion that every day should look like that one — full of activity, decisions, and accomplishments.
But that’s not how I want to measure my days.
Embracing the Balanced Rhythm
I want to be thankful to my body and mind for carrying me through that day. I want to celebrate the wise choices I made. And I want to remember that a day like that doesn’t need to be every day. It’s not the rule, but a natural rhythm — like the changing seasons or the ebb and flow of the tide. Some days are filled with momentum, activities, and results, while others bring rest, slowness, and reflection. Each has its place, and together they weave a beautiful web that supports balance, productivity, and well-being.
Both kinds of days matter. And neither makes me any more or less worthy.
A Gentle Reminder
Recognizing this in real time — noticing that old voice creeping in and choosing a different narrative — is growth. And for that, I’m deeply grateful.
What if we celebrated our slow days just as much as our busy ones? What if we saw value in pausing, reflecting, and giving ourselves space to breathe?
How do you recognize and honor the rhythms in your own life?
Huong