Welcome to Coffee with Claire.
Today I want to talk about something that really hit me over the weekend.
What would it mean for you to restore yourself instead of just resting because you are exhausted?
There is a difference. And it matters.
When Rest Is Not Enough
I had a huge week. I had not slept well. There was a lot going on. By the weekend I felt lethargic, flat, and honestly like I did not want to do anything.
All I wanted to do was lie on the couch, scroll on my phone, maybe nap, and switch off.
And sometimes that is exactly what you need.
But this time I paused and asked myself a different question.
If I spend the whole day doing that, how will I feel afterwards? And what could I do instead that might actually enliven me?
That shift changed everything.
Small Actions Create Momentum
When you feel exhausted, doing something big feels impossible.
So start small.
The first thing I did was my five minute breathing flow. Simple in and out breathing with a short hold. Nothing complicated. But it always helps.
After that, I felt slightly better. Just enough momentum to move.
I went outside. Did a few small jobs. Then we had our regular community workout at home. I almost cancelled it. Everyone else was away.
But I showed up anyway.
It was not the hardest workout I have ever done. It did not need to be. It was about moving my body and shifting energy.
Then we had a sauna. Later, I had a bath.
By the end of the day, I felt like myself again.
Not just rested. Restored.
What Restoration Actually Means
Rest is passive.
Restoration is intentional.
Rest can sometimes leave you feeling flat if it is just avoidance. Restoration adds energy back into your system.
For me that combination worked. Breathing. Movement. Heat. Water. Community.
For you it might look different.
Mountain biking.
Running.
Climbing.
Painting.
Reading something creative.
Yoga.
Time in nature.
Hobbies are powerful because they break the mental circuit of constant thinking. They allow your brain to shift gears.
Movement resets the body.
Breathing down regulates the nervous system.
Creative practices restore perspective.
Do Not Wait Until You Are Empty
One of my reflections was that I probably made a few choices during the week that led to that exhaustion.
We do not want to arrive at the weekend feeling depleted. We want to enjoy the lives we are building.
So the real question becomes, what rituals can you put in place during the week to avoid running on empty?
For me that looks like scheduling breathing practice, booking yoga, managing my energy intentionally, and protecting space in my calendar.
Restoration should not be accidental. It should be designed.
Know Your Levers
Everyone has different levers they can pull when they feel off.
What are yours?
What brings you back to yourself?
Think about that this week. Put something restorative into your calendar before you desperately need it.
Set yourself up to feel energised, grounded, and ready for what is next.