Feeling restless? What does it actually mean?

10am. Already 30 minutes at my desk and I couldn’t settle to anything. In my mind, there were so many things to do but whenever I tried to apply myself to what was in front of me, I felt antsy. Distracted. Wanting to do anything but was I had set out to do.

I fiddled around with some documents half-heartedly. Sipped my coffee with little enthusiasm as it grew cold.

I felt frustration mount. My inner chatter was becoming tense, self-critical. Why couldn’t I just get on with what was needed? What was wrong with me? Then guilt. I should know better, do better than this.

Maybe you know this feeling?

That there is a thing or things you should be focusing on or need to, but you don’t seem to be able to get any traction. Spinning your wheels. Avoiding. Procrastinating.

It was when a similar conversation came up with a client in the week, that it really hit me.

This restlessness that they were talking about, mirrored my restlessness.

We got curious about what that word actually means.

Agitated, antsy, preoccupied, distracted. Yes all good definitions.

But looking at the word more literally…

It means not having rest.

Rest of body, rest of mind, rest of the emotions. It could be any or all of these things.

With my client, as we explored what their restlessness meant, we dived into one of my favourite questions - What do you really want?

For them it was easy. More fun, ease, relaxation, playfulness. In a sense, a good definition of rest.

For me, in my restlessness, I could see that I literally needed rest. Time to slow down. Lie on my back. Watch the clouds. Be free of technology. Quiet in the mind.

So in your next moment of restlessness, you might wonder, what is really wanted?

What are you being to called to rest into? Not to take drastic action or dive on regardless (though that’s ok too) but to really listen to the deeper wisdom that is being evoked in your restlessness.

Pointing you back to your wellbeing, to being at rest within yourself.

If you’re struggling with your own version of restlessness and would like to find a way into deeper peace, do reach out for a conversation, by replying to this message.