Episode 29: Rest Is Resistance

Grant Writing Made ClearIn this Season 1 finale, Dr. Trenette makes a powerful case for intentional rest as an act of resistance in a productivity-obsessed culture. She announces her summer sabbatical and invites listeners to join her in centering rest - not as a reward to earn, but as a fundamental right that fuels better and sustainable impact.Key Topics CoveredDrawing from her rural upbringing, Dr. Trenette reflects on lessons from the cornfield across from her childhood home. She observed how farmers allow their land to rest for soil regeneration, understanding that this strategic pause strengthens future growth. She argues that we need the same regenerative approach, viewing rest as strategy.The episode delves into the science of strategic rest, explaining how innovative ideas can emerge during seemingly non-productive moments. Dr. Trenette discusses the brain's deeper insight function during walks, daydreams, and quiet time, suggesting that activities like folding laundry might actually be your most creative work time. This reframes rest as an essential component of the creative and intellectual process.Dr. Trenette shares her personal summer rest plan, which includes daily nature walks without headphones, reading for pure interest, baking with her children, and creating comfort through simple pleasures like fuzzy socks, electric blankets, and new pillows. Most importantly, she discusses releasing the guilt that whispers "you should be working" and shares wisdom from her mentor about the perpetual "clouds" of undone work that successful academics carry.The episode introduces a Rest Portfolio Framework that includes physical rest through extra sleep and joyful movement, sensory rest via time outside and fewer screens, creative rest through art or music that asks nothing of you, emotional rest that provides space to feel without fixing, social rest with people who know you beyond your title, and spiritual rest.Dr. Trenette poses reflection questions for listeners, asking what might change if they centered rest in their summer and whether they could plan even an hour with no goal but to be present. She challenges listeners to create their own rest portfolio using the framework provided and she provides helpful homework.Connect with the Grant Writing Made Clear Facebook community and share: How will you center rest in your summer? What does your rest portfolio look like? Grab your free copy of Think Like a Winner at https://trenette-goings.mykajabi.com/thinklikeawinnerIf you’re thinking “I love Dr. Trenette and Grant Writing Made Clear” please rate, review, and subscribe!