As we reach the mid point of the year, Beeji Co-founder, B-G Dunk, shares her thoughts on the ‘difficulty’ of unwinding and embracing the power of doing nothing.
I'm currently on an island (that I'm not going to name because it's too gorgeous and untouched to share), and it's given me so much to think about – particularly the rarity of true unwinding and the importance of shedding the guilt of rest.
Like most, my life is usually non-stop. I rarely sit still, and when I do, I'm usually juggling 10,000 things in my head at once. The last year, in particular, has been a much faster pace than I usually prefer, though on the flip side, it's also been incredibly rewarding, filled with magical moments alongside family and friends. But speaking only for myself, I've felt a real heaviness from the world around us. Some days, it's hard to unplug and simply stop. Other days, it feels hard to switch anything on, with a seemingly never-ending stream of difficult news everywhere. And then, there's the guilt. My gosh! The guilt of "not doing enough," of resting, of taking a break, of unplugging, of not taking action—the list goes on. There's even guilt for taking a holiday, for being able to take a holiday, for taking time off.
I've spent the last 2 weeks swimming at empty beaches, hiking and being completely surrounded by nature. I’ve started each day with doughnuts and coffee from the same bakery (there was no need to venture further as I’d found heaven in that one shop). It's been an absolute dream and a total luxury to just sit and be. What I've truly pondered during this time off is the rarity of this kind of unwinding—not being smothered by tourists, traffic, and noise; having a beach to yourself and the time to simply exist.
At Beeji, we talk about a slow summer and being present —sand between our toes, spending time with loved ones, and truly slowing down. But then I’ve questioned whether we truly do that. What I've realised this last week is that the ability to genuinely unwind, to silence the noise and simply be, isn't just a luxury; it's a vital art form we're collectively losing. It's about giving ourselves permission to embrace stillness, recharge our spirits, and recognise that rest isn't a reward for constant effort, but a fundamental human need.
True unwinding isn't just a fleeting vacation; it's an act of self-preservation in a world that constantly demands our output. It's about reclaiming our right to stillness, embracing the power of doing nothing, and understanding that genuine rest isn't a luxury or a reward, but an essential ingredient to then give back more. My grandad always says, you can’t give back when the tank is empty. You’ve got to refuel before you can drive again. And I couldn’t agree more.