Throughout life, I was led to believe that napping was a shameful behavior. I went through a lot of things back in the day. I am still understanding that the things I have to do in 2026 can be overwhelming and overloading. I should not expect what I had expected in years past. It has taken time to find my personal baseline in my mental health treatment. I understand that treatment alone can’t resolve these issues. I also realize that being older makes them more overwhelming than before.

I can make the places I go easier for me to cope with. Yet it doesn’t always mean that they are challenging and drain me significantly. It is in no way meaning that they are bad environments or things for me to do. They are tasks I can achieve. Still, they consume more of my daily energy along with the energy it takes to get there and back. On top of all other things, it is no wonder I would need more rest. Being totally drained from doing what has to be done is common.

Flipping the script about napping took a lot of effort from me. I changed my view from seeing it as consequential to viewing it as essential and necessary. I had to realize that needing to nap wasn’t about having time in the day. It was about whether I had the ability to do things. When it got to the point that it was hard for me to do anything, it became necessary to nap. Initially, I believed that napping prevented me from adhering to a proper medication regimen. However, I soon realized its importance as it became part of my routine and did its necessary work. I avoided long naps, opting instead for just enough to end my day positively.

I freed myself from the belief that sleep was a good thing. I began to see the advantage of napping, especially when overwhelmed. After napping, I noticed I was less irritable and crabby than before. It was understandable that challenging emotions were going to arise. Still, it was my lack of self-care that helped me find the rest I needed. This rest allowed me to see that there was more to life than dwelling on negative thoughts. These thoughts were bringing me down, but they were there to teach me acceptance. They showed me that things are what they are and encouraged me to express gratitude for them.

I began to see that resting was essential. This was especially true at the end of the week when things were building up enough to put me down. I also realized that getting the things I needed to care for myself was crucial. Napping was one of those things that helped in that process. Yet, I had to understand the limitations of what was healthy and what was not. By caring for my mental health in the necessary way, it became another tool. This tool helped me end my work week on a good note and ensured I had a good weekend too.