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Hey there! 👋
It’s New Year’s Eve, and I’m going to guess you’re doing one of two things right now: either you’re reading this while pretending to relax (but secretly checking your content calendar), or you’re genuinely enjoying some downtime and feeling a tiny bit guilty about it.
If it’s the latter, this newsletter is for you. If it’s the former… well, this newsletter is especially for you 😅
Let’s talk about something that goes against everything we’ve been taught as creators: rest isn’t something you earn. It’s not a reward for hitting your posting streak or finally launching that course
Rest is a fundamental requirement for doing good work, not a bonus for when you’ve done enough
The Burnout Myth We Keep Believing
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Here’s the lie most of us bought into: “I’ll rest when I’ve made it” or “I can take a break after I hit [insert arbitrary goal here]”
But here’s what actually happens when you push through exhaustion for months on end:
Your content gets generic: When you’re running on empty, you default to surface-level takes instead of the unique insights your audience actually values
Your creativity disappears: Ever notice how your best ideas come in the shower or during walks? That’s not a coincidence Your brain needs downtime to make connections and generate original thoughts
Your audience can tell: That forced enthusiasm? That recycled take you’ve posted three times before? Your community notices when you’re phoning it in
The ironic thing? By refusing to rest, we actually create worse content while working harder. That’s not hustle. That’s just… exhausting 🤯
What Real Rest Looks Like for Creators
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Rest doesn’t mean abandoning your business for weeks (though if that’s what you need, go for it!)
It means being intentional about building recovery into your regular routine
Take actual blocks off, not “I’ll just check Slack real quick” days – Real, phone on DND, no-guilt-allowed days off
Batch your content ahead! Use one focused work session to create content for your break period – future you will appreciate it, trust me
Set boundaries without apologizing. “I’m offline until January 2nd” is a complete sentence – no explanation needed about why you deserve rest
Let things be imperfect. That slightly less polished post you scheduled? It’s fine. Your audience wants to hear from the real you, not the exhausted, burnt-out version trying to maintain impossible standards
The Content Quality Paradox
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Want to know the weirdest thing I’ve discovered? My highest-performing content almost always comes right after I’ve taken proper time off (shocking…)
When I actually rest, I come back with:
Fresh perspectives instead of recycled takes
Genuine energy instead of forced enthusiasm
Real stories instead of generic advice
Better ideas because my brain had space to think
Your content will always be better when it comes from a rested, recharged creator. Always.
Your Holiday Homework (It’s Easy, I Promise!)
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The rest of this holiday season, I’m giving you permission to rest. Not because you’ve earned it by hitting some arbitrary goal, but because rest is a fundamental part of sustainable content creation
Here’s your assignment: do absolutely nothing work-related for at least one full day this week(end). No “just checking” your analytics. No “quick” email responses. Nothing.
And when that guilt creeps in (because it will), remember this: the creators who last in this industry aren’t the ones who burn brightest. They’re the ones who know how to recharge.
Your content calendar will survive. Your audience will be there when you get back. And you’ll return with better ideas than you would’ve had if you’d just kept pushing through.
So whatever your plans are this holiday season, I hope they include actual rest. You don’t need to earn it. You just need to take it.
See you in the new year, rested and ready! 🎉
💜 Tara
P.S. If you’re reading this on New Year’s Eve instead of resting, I’m calling you out (with love). Close this tab and go enjoy your day. The internet will still be here tomorrow!
(Note, this was a schedule send, I’m taking my own advice today!)
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