How many times have you said or thought: “I feel guilty when I’m not doing something.” This is a very common thought for college students, especially high-achieving ones. Many high-achieving students are taught—explicitly or implicitly—that rest is something you earn after you’ve pushed yourself to exhaustion and burnout. Somewhere along the way, downtime starts to feel lazy, unproductive, or even irresponsible. But here’s the reframe we want you to sit with:  Rest is not the opposite of productivity. It’s a requirement for it. If you’re someone who is driven, disciplined, and goal-oriented, rest can feel deeply uncomfortable and here’s why: Your worth may feel tied to output: Grades, internships, leadership roles, and achievements become measures of value You’re used to functioning in “go mode”: Slowing down can bring up anxiety, restlessness, or guilt There’s constant comparison: Social media and campus culture often reward being busy and overextended You’ve learned to ov...