Rest isn’t weakness — it’s wisdom.

I used to hate taking vacations.

Why leave when there’s work to do?Why slow down when I could be getting ahead?

Back then, I thought rest was a weakness.That if I wasn’t producing, I was falling behind.

But truthfully? It went deeper than that.

I grew up in a competitive household with Italian immigrant parents.If I played basketball, I had to be MVP.If I took a test, anything less than 100 wasn’t good enough.Perfection wasn’t encouraged — it was expected.

So I learned early:If I wanted to feel proud, safe, or loved… I had to achieve something great.

That belief followed me into adulthood.I didn’t just become a hard worker —I became someone who couldn’t stop.

Because when your self-worth is tied to achievement, rest doesn’t feel relaxing — it feels wrong.

But when I got married in Italy last year, I was forced to stop.And for the first time in a long time… I actually rested.

And what I realized?

Rest doesn’t kill momentum.It creates it.

Now I see breaks for what they are: fuel.Space to think clearer. Breathe deeper.Reconnect with life beyond to-do lists and metrics.

So this week, I’m flying to Hawaii with my wife to celebrate our 1-year anniversary.Not to earn my worth.Not to prove I’ve “earned” the rest.But to celebrate the life I used to believe I had to achieve my way into.

And to remember:I’m already enough — even when I’m not achieving.

And in case you need the reminder… so are you.

— Mike