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STOP ZONING OUT

The Founder’s Guide to Rest That Actually Works


Ever opened your phone for a quick task and found yourself doom-scrolling 40 minutes later, frustrated and frazzled? You're not alone—welcome to the founder zone-out.


Baby Yoda looks confused with wide eyes. Caption reads: "When you space out driving and reach your destination with no clue how."

Here's the brutal truth: not all rest is created equal. Unintentional rest is sabotaging your creativity and energy. Entrepreneur burnout rarely announces itself loudly; instead, it's a subtle energy leak you don't notice until you’re empty.

Active vs. Passive Rest: What's the Difference?


  • Passive Rest: Mindless zoning out—TV binges, Instagram scrolling, naps. Good for short-term numbing, bad for long-term recovery.

  • Active Rest: Purposeful recharging—journaling, creative hobbies, reading for pleasure, visioning sessions. The kind of rest that fuels creativity and strategic thinking.


Think about your last "break": Did you scroll aimlessly or intentionally seek inspiration?

Active Rest Inspiration: The Headlamp Guy


Every morning at 7:30 am, I see a guy in his truck reading a book, headlamp shining bright, waiting for his worksite to open. Instead of wasting time scrolling, he chooses intentional, active rest. And he's become my rest role model.


How to Incorporate Active Rest: The Creative Switch


If you’re stuck on output, switch to input:

  • Stuck writing? Read someone else’s blog.

  • Photographer burnout? Flip through a fashion magazine.


Hand holding a pen with green nails draws a squiggly line. Text reads "The Creative Switch" with tasks and switches: writing, photography, marketing. Background is beige with torn paper.

It's about resetting, not escaping.

My Favorite Active Rest Ritual: Watercolors and Vision Boards


I replaced nightly doom-scrolling with watercolor painting. Now, it's a mindful routine that fuels creativity, patience, and intentional rest.

Watercolor paintings of flowers in vases, set against a white notepad. Text: "My Creative Rest" and "Watercolor books by Emily Lex."

Reality Inventory: Rethink Your Rest

  1. Reflect on your energy this week. When were you sharp? When were you foggy?

  2. Ask: What drained me? What energized me? Did my rest strategy help or hurt?

  3. Reset your rest strategy based on insights.



Final Thought: Rest is Not a Reward, It's a Requirement


Active rest isn't avoidance—it's preparation. It's Netflixing intentionally and nerding out mindfully. It’s choosing rest that refuels your creativity, your business, and your life.

Remember, you're courageous, capable, and strong enough to rest without guilt.


Make rest the strategic habit that powers your next YES.

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