Rest Is Productive Too: What I’m Learning in Real Time About Sleep, Recovery, and Slowing Down

This post is coming straight from where I’m at right now  not a polished lesson from the other side, but something I’m actively working through.

Recently, one of my family members asked me a simple question:

“Do you even get any sleep?”

I said, “Yeah… like 5–6 hours.”

He said, “Nah. That’s not enough. You need at least 7.”

And normally I would’ve brushed it off. Because in my head, 5–6 hours felt… decent. Manageable. Normal for someone juggling a 9–5, content creation, dance, the gym, life, and everything in between.

But then he added something that stuck with me:

“You’re in the gym lifting heavy. Your body can’t recover like that.”

That’s when it clicked.

I’ve been so focused on showing up being consistent, disciplined, productive that I haven’t been honoring the part that actually makes all of that possible: recovery.

The realization I didn’t want to admit

I’m not just tired. I’ve been under‑rested.

Late nights editing. Early mornings logging into work. Trying to squeeze creativity into every open space. Telling myself I’ll “catch up on sleep later.”

But later never really comes.

And I started noticing it:

• My lifts felt heavier than usual

• My body stayed sore longer

• My focus was off

• My patience was thinner

• My creativity felt foggy

I want to be strong. I want to grow. I want to feel good in my body.

And I can’t out‑train or out‑hustle poor sleep.

What I’m changing (realistically, not perfectly)

I’m not suddenly sleeping 9 hours every night. Let’s be real. But I am being more intentional.

Here’s what I’m working on:

1. Respecting sleep like it’s part of my training. Not optional. Not extra. Part of the program.

2. Creating a wind‑down routine that actually helps. Less “scroll until my eyes close.” More dim lights, stretching, showers, quiet music or a podcast.

3. Aiming for 7 hours, not perfection. Some nights I hit it. Some nights I don’t. But I’m no longer settling for running on empty.

4. Not scheduling my life all the way to midnight. Every open hour doesn’t need to be productive.

5. Letting go of the idea that rest = laziness. I’m learning that rest is discipline too. Especially when your goals require strength, clarity, and consistency.

What I’m already noticing

Even small changes are making a difference:

• My workouts feel stronger

• My body recovers faster

• My mind feels less scattered

• I’m more patient with myself

• I don’t wake up feeling instantly behind

I’m still a work in progress.

Some nights I still choose “one more task.” Some mornings I still feel tired. But I’m no longer pretending that exhaustion is just part of the grind.

It doesn’t have to be.

If you’re reading this and surviving off 4–6 hours, telling yourself it’s temporary… I get it.

But your body keeps the receipts.

Rest isn’t quitting. It isn’t falling behind. It’s how you stay in the game long enough to become who you’re working so hard to be.

And I’m learning that in real time.