THE ART OF QUIET COMEBACKS: Part 7. From Survival to Renewal

Part 7. From Survival to Renewal

A series about starting over gently, honestly, and without apology

The sincere identification of weariness births the journey back to being ourselves. However, weariness is not meant to stay, but before ending it, we must first honour it. Weariness is not a flaw; it should not be hidden. Weariness is not failure; we should not be ashamed of it. Weariness is a signal, a sacred invitation to take a pause, and pay keen attention. We earlier discussed that recognizing weariness is acknowledging our humanity, our limits and the need for restoration. It takes courage to admit when the soul is tired, and to respond to that, a greater strength is required, because our response should proceed from a place of compassion, not criticism.

Weariness is valid; however, it is not meant to be permanent. It pays a visit for a reason and should be for a season, but it is our duty to ensure it does not settle. You cannot stop a bird from flying in the sky, but if that bird decides to perch on your head, to build its nest on your head, then you can stop that from happening. That is exactly how weariness is, you cannot stop it from flying over your head, but you can stop it from settling on it. If left unaddressed, weariness drains joy, corrupts purpose, and dims the light within a man. For that reason, weariness must not be allowed to settle, it needs to end, not through force, but by intention. When necessary, we need to choose rest over resistance, grace over grind, and healing over hustle.

When weariness is faced with honesty and grace, we turn towards something deeper, something healing, because weariness is not the final chapter, rather, it is a threshold that when crossed, reveals a path into the possibility of renewal.

Ending Weariness Matters

When handled properly, weariness becomes a turning point, not the end of the story. It should be the moment the story begins to take the path of change. Many people carry exhaustion like a badge of honor, they mistake burnout for bravery, they even mistake depletion for dedication. No! Weariness is never a weakness, it is a signal, a sacred whisper from deep within a person saying “Relax, you were not created to merely survive. You were created to live!”

Let’s dive deeper.                                                                      

A. The Shift: From Numbness to Awakening

Living in survival mode makes a life transactional. Wake up, work, push and keep pushing. Many often silence the ache calling for attention, we ignore the fatigue sending signals to us. We keep going, we say “All will be well.” We don’t want to stop because we feel stopping is failure. We need to understand that living in survival mode is not sustainable. That mode is a silent thief, it steals colour from a life, it steals joy and meaning from a life.

Renewal begins to spring up when we choose to feel again. That moment when we put an end to numbing and start noticing. That moment when we begin to ask ourselves questions like:

• What am I running from?
• Is there a part of me I have silenced?
• What do I need, not just to perform, but to heal?

The moment we stop asking questions like, “How do I keep going?” and start asking questions like, “What do I need to come alive again?” Then, the subtle but positive shift has surfaced.

B. The Path to Renewal

Renewal is a process; it is not a one-time event. It is a sacred unfolding which can be slow. It begins with little choices that honours your humanity. Choices like:

i. Reclaiming Rest

Rest is a necessity, not a luxury. Rest is not physical alone; it includes emotional and even spiritual rest. Never underestimate the power of rest. It can be in quiet mornings, sometimes taking a deep breath. It can also be saying no when needed, without the feeling of guilt. Depending on the situation, reclaiming rest can also be saying yes without fear. Reclaiming rest is essential to gaining renewal.

ii. Reconnecting with Purpose

Sometimes, weariness can be a signal that there is a disconnection from purpose. Renewal is an invitation to remember what lights you up. What makes you feel useful, joyous and alive? You may discover it is a forgotten passion, a new calling awaiting to be discovered or a long-forgotten dream. Dive into your thoughts, remember your purpose and pick it up again. When a man/woman is disconnected from purpose, a vacuum is created within their soul, a vacuum craving to be filled, a vacuum that can only be filled by purpose. Therefore, reconnecting with purpose is a path to renewal.

iii. Rewriting the Narrative

Contrary to what many think about weariness, you are not lazy. You are not behind. You are not broken. You are just being human, and as humans, our story keeps unfolding. Don’t be scared to rewrite the narrative, what people think is of less importance, what matters most is what you think. Gaining renewal means rewriting the script that says you must prove your worth, earn rest, or hide your pain. Rewriting the narrative is embracing grace over grind. Embracing a wrong perspective will not only drain you, but it also grinds you.

iv. Receiving Support

In your quest for renewal, you do not have to be alone. Renewal is communal, found in a safe space with honest conversations. You are not alone in the quest for renewal, allow others to walk with you and share their healing with you. Open the door of your heart and let love come in. Choose to ask and receive support.

C. The Need to End Weariness

Weariness must go because you are important. Joy is not the reward of being productive, it is your birthright. The end of weariness helps to live with intention, to live with purpose. When weariness ends, we stop surviving and start renewing. We stop performing and start becoming. By doing so, we become strong enough to give others the chance to do the same.

This is your invitation to rise, not to ignore weariness, but to end it with courage and grace. If you truly love yourself, from survival to renewal is a necessary choice, it is a journey you must choose to embark on.

Remember, JS Havilah cares about you, yes, you!

Part 8 of THE ART OF QUIET COMEBACKS is quietly on its way.

Come back for every installment.
Come back to remember you are not alone.
Come back, not to catch up, but to catch your breath.

Still becoming,

JS Havilah