Is It Rest… or Resistance?
There’s this familiar moment for many performers.
You’re lying in bed, scrolling through your phone. Your rehearsal call isn’t until later in the day. Your gym bag is still packed by the door. And somewhere in the back of your mind, the question surfaces:
“Should I move my body today?”
Sometimes, the answer is a clear and wholehearted no.
You’re worn out - physically, mentally, emotionally - and you know that rest is the most supportive thing you can offer yourself right now.
That kind of rest? That’s essential.
But other times? The answer is a little foggier. It’s not true rest you're craving - it's resistance.
Resistance dressed up as fatigue. As avoidance. As “I’ll just lie here a little longer…”
And the tricky part is: the two can feel really similar.
As performers - artists whose bodies carry not only our craft but often our income, our identity, and our sense of worth(!!) - we get used to overriding signals. We push through, we collapse, we go again. So when the question of rest arises, it’s not always straightforward.
That’s why learning to listen well becomes one of the most powerful practices we can develop.
Because motivation is fickle, but body-awareness can be life-changing.
So if you’re caught in that moment - wondering if you’re resisting or truly resting - here are a few gentle questions to check in with yourself:
Am I feeling physically depleted, or just mentally unmotivated?
Sometimes we call it tired when really we’re just creatively low. That matters, too - but it’s a different need.If I moved gently for five minutes - a slow walk, a stretch, even a few deep breaths with intention - would I feel more present, more energised, or more grounded?
Not every movement has to be a full workout. Sometimes it’s about getting out of your head (or your bed hehe) and into your body.Am I making a kind and conscious decision to rest, or am I avoiding the discomfort of starting something I know will help?
And if it’s the latter, could I begin in a way that feels light, low-stakes, and even a little fun?For those who menstruate: cycle awareness can be a literal game-changer. Where are you today, and how might that guide the way you move?
Your body might need more rest, or a different kind of movement, depending on the phase you’re in. Luteal phase fatigue? Totally valid. Follicular phase energy spike? Use it!
Paying attention to these shifts can be extremely helpful in knowing what your body needs, and when. (Remember all those oh I’m not depressed, I’m just getting my period moments!).
On some days, a short walk around the block - headphones in, listening to a playlist that sparks joy - is all you need to reset. On others, it might be a few bodyweight movements while you run lines, hum through a vocal warm-up, or blast your favourite track. Maybe it’s even just lying on the floor for a few deep breaths and checking in with how your body actually feels today before deciding what’s next.
So this week, consider this your invitation to notice:
Notice what your body’s asking for.
Notice when you truly need rest - and when you might just need a shift in energy.
Notice when a little bit of movement helps unlock a better, brighter version of your day.
The goal is not to always push yourself, unnecessarily.
The goal is to tune in more clearly: to honour yourself and to move in a way that feels like support (not pressure!).
If this is something you struggle with because you’ve become so accustomed to pushing your body, why not send us an email and we can help you with a program (or 3) to get your week looking manageable.
What would support you today - not the you from yesterday, not the you from your goals - but the real, present, here-and-now you?
Start there. Move from there.
As Philippa Soo once (iconically) sang:
“That would be enough.” 🎶
You’ve got this x
