We’ve been taught that nonstop hustle equals success—but our bodies and minds know better. Here, Funlayo reflects on how embracing rest as sacred work helps mature women lead, create, and care from a place of fullness instead of depletion.
True growth happens when we stop grinding and start listening.
In my 30s and 40s, I thought rest was something you earned—after the work was done.
In my 50s, I began to realize: the work is never really done.And now at 60, I know the truth:
Rest is the work. Rest is productivity.
This shift didn’t come easily. Like many women, I was raised in a culture that praised hustle, applauded exhaustion, and equated constant doing with value. But as my body changed, so did my capacity—and with it, my perspective.
Now, I don't just schedule rest. I honor it. I protect it. Because when I am rested, I am clearer, kinder, stronger, and far more creative.
Why Mature Women Must Reclaim Rest
Menopause, hormonal shifts, caregiving responsibilities, entrepreneurial pursuits—we carry so much. And yet, we are told to “push through.” But at what cost?
Rest isn't about being lazy. It’s about being strategic with your energy and generous with yourself. It’s about honoring the body God gave you. It’s about setting boundaries with love, not guilt. And it’s about creating a rhythm that sustains your brilliance, not burns it out.
My Evening Ritual: Skincare as a Signal to Rest
One of the ways I transition from busy mode to restorative mode is through a nighttime skincare ritual. It’s a quiet, nourishing way of saying to my body:
“You’ve done enough. Let’s wind down now.”
Here’s what I use to prepare for rest:
🧴 Vitamin C (THDA) Face Oil – Rich, calming, and deeply hydrating. I apply this as a final layer to seal in moisture and signal my skin that it’s time to repair and restore.
🧴 Restorative Hydrating Lotion – Lightweight but powerful, it keeps my skin hydrated overnight while helping me feel soothed and supported.
🧴 Whipped Body Butter – My skin drinks this in before bed. It’s like wrapping myself in softness, reminding me that I deserve to be comforted.
These aren’t just products—they are rituals. They cue my mind and body to settle, to exhale, to be.
What Does Productivity Really Mean?
As mature women, we need to ask ourselves: Productive for whom? Productive toward what?
If you’re constantly running but not present, that’s not progress—it’s depletion.
Rest gives us the strength to lead, to build, to love, and to show up whole.
So, I invite you to redefine your relationship with rest. Not as something extra, but as something essential to your success.
Because when you rest well, you rise well
— Funlayo
