Reader ,

Here's the question nobody asks during sabbatical:

What happens when it's over?

You've rested. You've reconnected. You've discovered what matters most. And then the calendar runs out; and the busy life you left behind is still there, waiting.

This is where the real work begins: integration. It's not about holding onto sabbatical forever; you can't. And it's not about going back to life as it was; you shouldn't. Integration is about weaving what you've learned in rest into the life you're returning to.

I learned this lesson myself through something as simple as Taco Bell.

Years ago, while working with a coach on identifying what truly replenishes me, I realized that one of my go-to practices was stopping by Taco Bell. Not exactly high-level self-care, right? But when I dug deeper, I discovered why it mattered: When I was a teenager, my dad would take our family to Taco Bell on Sunday afternoons. Back when tacos were 49 cents, he'd tell me I could order as many as I wanted.

Those Sunday afternoons weren't just about food; they were about feeling seen, cared for, and connected.

Now, decades later, that five-minute stop isn't just about tacos. It's a small practice that brings me back to a place of rest, memory, and joy. It's one of the ways I've integrated what I learned about rest into my everyday life.

The goal isn't to live at sabbatical pace in a non-sabbatical world. It's to create a sustainable rhythm that honors what matters while still engaging with daily life.

What does integration actually look like in practice?

Protect. Plan. Persist.

1. Protect what matters. Put the most important discoveries from your rest like quiet mornings, meaningful relationships, or creative pursuits, on your calendar first and guard them.
2. Plan intentionally. Don't let your schedule fill up by default. Choose commitments that support the life you want to build, not the one you were trying to escape.
3. Persist with rhythms, not rules. Integration isn't about perfection. Build flexible patterns that keep you grounded; even if they shift week to week.
4. Prepare for resistance. Old habits, external demands, and even your own comfort will pull you back. Plan for it. Keep reminders of what you learned close at hand.

The point of rest isn't just recovery; it's transformation. And integration is how that transformation lasts.

Meditation Moment

Reflect on your own "Taco Bell moments". The small, ordinary practices that bring you back to rest, joy, or connection. What simple routines, memories, or rituals remind you of what matters most?

Next Action

Choose one small practice that reconnects you; and schedule it.

Treat it like any other appointment, because it is one: an appointment with what restores you.

I’m thankful for your time and trust, Reader. If you found this helpful or want to learn more about how Edens View can support you, contact us by replying directly to this email. With Anticipation, David Limiero PS, If someone forwarded this email to you, you can sign up to get your weekly newsletter here.