The other day, I stumbled across a great quote….
“Did you know butterflies rest when it rains cause it damages their wings? It’s okay to rest during the storms of life. You’ll always fly again once it’s over.”
Simple. Poetic. True.
It got me thinking: How often do we push ourselves through the hard stuff, through the storms of life, believing that if we pause, we’re somehow falling behind? We’re taught to hustle, to keep going no matter what, and to treat rest like a reward we must earn.
But when you’re living with Ataxia—or honestly, any ongoing challenge—you learn quickly that rest isn’t a luxury, and it’s not a sign of weakness. It’s survival. It’s part of how we adapt, how we heal, and how we keep going. Rest allows us to conserve energy when our bodies demand it. It gives our minds a chance to breathe. And maybe most importantly, it helps us become stronger when the storm finally passes.
Why We Fight the Pause
We live in a culture that idolizes constant motion. We’re praised for pushing through, showing up regardless of circumstances, and maintaining appearances. Pausing—even for a moment—can seem like giving up.
I’ve felt it—the guilt of taking a break. That internal voice whispering, “You should be doing more.” For a long time, I listened to that voice, pushed through fatigue, ignored the signs my body was giving me, and saw rest as a failure of discipline.
But Ataxia doesn’t care about hustle culture. It will slow you down whether you’re ready or not. Over time, I realized that rest wasn’t something to be ashamed of. I had to learn how to do it well.
Resting Is a Skill—And a Strength
There’s a big difference between quitting and pausing. Rest isn’t about giving up. It’s about allowing your body, mind, and spirit the opportunity to catch up with life. It’s about protecting your wings so you can fly again.
I wish more people understood this, especially those of us dealing with rare conditions like Ataxia. We don’t always have the luxury of running full speed all the time. We burn out faster and fatigue more quickly. Some days, getting through the basics is an accomplishment, and that’s okay.
Resting takes courage. It requires honesty about your limits. It means saying “no” when everyone else says “yes.” And it means listening to your body’s rhythms instead of resisting them. That kind of awareness? That’s true strength.
The Butterfly Metaphor That Hit Me Hard
There’s something beautiful about the butterfly metaphor that inspired this post. When it rains, butterflies don’t try to push through it. They don’t fly into the storm. They pause—quietly, patiently, instinctively. They know the storm will pass, and when it does, they’ll fly again.
That image resonates with me on a deep level. There have been moments when I’ve felt trapped in my own kind of storm—physically, emotionally, or mentally. However, each time I allowed myself to rest instead of pushing through, I emerged on the other side a bit stronger. Not because I fought harder but because I gave myself the space to breathe.
Letting Go of the Guilt
Here’s the part that took me the longest to figure out: Rest is productive.
We don’t talk about productivity enough. It’s not just about doing—it’s also about recovering, healing, and reflecting.
For those of us managing a progressive condition like Ataxia, we must be even more deliberate about this. We can’t afford to ignore the signals. That nap you took in the middle of the day. That quiet night at home instead of pushing through a social gathering? That skipped workout when your body said, “Not today”? That’s not giving up—that’s wisdom.
So let go of the guilt. Seriously. You don’t need to justify taking a break. You don’t owe anyone a perfect schedule or a flawless recovery. You’re human—and humans need time to recharge, especially when your nervous system is working overtime just to keep you upright.
This Is Temporary—You’ll Fly Again
If you’re reading this during one of those storms—exhausted, discouraged, or feeling stuck—please hear me when I say this: you will fly again.
It might not appear as it does for others. It might not even look like it used to for you. But flight is still possible. Joy is still attainable. Forward motion—no matter how slow—is still progress.
It starts by permitting yourself to pause. To dry off. To protect your wings.
Because the storm won’t last forever, and when it passes, you’ll be ready.
Final Thoughts
Living with Ataxia has taught me a lot—some of it the hard way. However, one of the most important lessons is that rest is part of resilience.
So, the next time you feel overwhelmed or worn down, remember the butterfly. Find a safe spot to rest, tuck your wings in, and wait for the storm to pass. There is strength in stillness and power in knowing when to pause.
You haven’t failed. You’re just getting ready to rise again.
Please share your thoughts and/or comments on this or any other article. And if you would like to get involved and share your experience with Ataxia, don’t hesitate to contact us. Join Our Community today, where we empower you to build a healthy lifestyle and raise your overdue ataxia awareness. Experience transformative storytelling and share your story to inspire positive change.
