Butterflies are often seen as symbols of transformation, growth, and beauty. They flutter with grace, defying gravity as they move delicately from bloom to bloom. But what many don’t realize is that even butterflies need rest—especially when it rains.
When a storm comes, butterflies don’t try to fly against it. They find shelter. They wait. They protect themselves, ensuring they survive the rain so they can take flight again when the skies clear.
In many ways, I’ve often found myself as that butterfly navigating life’s storms. Like many people, I’ve grown up believing that progress means constant motion—that success requires unyielding effort, no matter the weather.
But life, much like nature, doesn’t always offer clear skies. There have been moments in my journey where storms rolled in unexpectedly: projects that didn’t succeed, relationships that failed, opportunities that slipped away, or challenges that shook my confidence. The instinct to push forward at all costs is natural. It’s what society often celebrates: hustle, grit, and the ability to endure.
Yet, in those moments of downpour, I realized something profound—it’s okay to stop. It’s okay to rest.
Resting during life’s storms doesn’t mean giving up, nor does it mean you have no choices. In fact, resting is a choice. It’s about recognizing that you do have options, but you’re simply not yet ready to move forward. Resting is an act of clarity—of understanding that now is not the time to act, but rather to pause and reflect.
Just as butterflies pause to protect their delicate wings, I’ve learned to pause to protect my mind, my energy, and my spirit. Resting doesn’t strip you of control; it allows you to regain it. By choosing to stop for a moment, you gain the space to see your path with a sharper perspective.
When the rain has come in my life—whether in the form of setbacks, burnout, or uncertainty—I’ve embraced rest not as a lack of direction, but as an intentional moment to prepare for what’s next.
I paused to reassess my goals when I felt misaligned.
I sought support from mentors, friends, and loved ones when I felt overwhelmed.
I gave myself permission to recharge when my energy was drained.
Resting has allowed me to understand my choices more clearly, rather than rushing into movement for movement’s sake. The storm’s rain may have fallen hard, but it never washed away my purpose. If anything, it helped me see it more clearly.
And maybe the most beautiful part about the butterfly’s pause is what happens next. When the storm subsides, the butterfly takes flight once again, its wings still intact and ready to soar.
For me, every period of rest has led to renewal. I’ve come out of challenges with greater perspective, sharper focus, and a deeper understanding of my own resilience. I’ve developed strategies to protect my “wings”—prioritizing mental, emotional, and physical safety, fostering relationships and environments of growth, and embracing rest as part of the process.
Life isn’t about constant motion; it’s about knowing when to fly and when to pause. The rain, after all, is temporary. The skies will clear, and when they do, I’ll be ready.
Journey well, my friends.
Stevie
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