Anne Lamott once wrote, “Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.” It’s a simple yet profound reminder in a world that prizes constant productivity, busyness, and digital connection.
Think about it: when your phone starts acting up, what’s the first thing you do? You turn it off and restart it. When the Wi-Fi slows down, you unplug the router and give it a chance to reset. Machines, for all their power, need breaks. Why would we think we’re any different?
Image by Satheesh Sankaran from Pixabay
The truth is, we often run ourselves past the point of effectiveness. We push through fatigue, stack commitments on top of commitments, and convince ourselves that rest is a luxury we can’t afford. Yet, just like technology, humans are designed with limits. Ignoring them doesn’t make us stronger—it makes us less capable of functioning well.
Unplugging doesn’t have to mean a weeklong vacation. It can be as simple as taking a quiet walk without your phone, pausing for five minutes of deep breathing, or closing your laptop for the evening instead of pushing through one more email. These intentional pauses help restore clarity, creativity, and calm.
When we give ourselves permission to rest, we often find that the challenges that felt overwhelming shrink back into perspective. Our bodies release tension, our minds calm, and our energy resets. Like a rebooted device, we return more responsive, balanced, and ready to work again.
So the next time you feel scattered, exhausted, or stuck, remember Anne Lamott’s wisdom. Step away. Breathe. Unplug, even for just a few minutes. You may be surprised at how quickly you come back online, refreshed and ready to meet life with more patience and grace.
After all, sometimes the most productive thing you can do is rest.
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