Hustle culture tells us never to stop – to keep chasing, building, and pushing no matter what. But even the things we love can become heavy when we’re burned out. And sometimes the most honest thing we can do is take a break.

This short reflection reminds you that resting doesn’t mean quitting. Stepping back from your dreams doesn’t mean you’re giving up – it means you’re honoring your capacity, trusting your timing, and giving yourself space to breathe.

You can come back when you’re ready. For now, it’s okay to pause.

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00:05

Hey, this is It's Okay If, bite-sized permission slips. I'm Matt Gilhooly and today's permission, it's okay if you want to take a break from your dreams. I know, I know, that probably goes against everything hustle culture teaches us. Don't quit, keep grinding. If you want it bad enough, you'll never stop. But here's the truth, even dreams need rest. Even passions can burn you out. I felt this way with my own creative work.

00:33

There have been seasons where I pushed so hard to make something happen, to grow the podcast, to create digital art, to keep showing up. And eventually the thing I loved started to feel like a weight. Not because I didn't love it, but because I was tired.

00:50

Taking a break from your dreams doesn't mean you're giving up. It means you are fully human. It means you're honoring your capacity. It means you're trusting that you can come back when you're ready. So if today the dream feels heavy and you need to set it down for a while, that's okay. You don't have to hustle through the burnout. You're allowed to pause, to breathe, to rest. So if you're up for it, tell yourself, I give myself permission to take a break from my dreams.

01:20

Resting is not quitting. That's your permission slip, friend. Tuck it in your pocket and I'll see you next time.