Are You Giving Yourself Permission to Rest? Here's How to Create a Soul-Nourishing Evening Routine to Embrace Peace, Reflect & Replenish

When was the last time you truly allowed yourself to rest?
When I worked in the hectic aviation industry, we had designated "rest days" on our rosters. To me, they simply meant extra time to check off errands, meet friends, or squeeze in tasks when I wasn’t flying. I barely paused to consider their importance and often wondered why we needed them at all, especially since we already had days off.
But after years of flying across time zones, battling jet lag and pushing through chronic fatigue, the cracks started to show. My body felt drained, my mind foggy and my once boundless energy began to disappear.
There were moments when I’d land in one city only to feel like I left pieces of myself in another—disoriented, depleted, disconnected. Those "rest days" I had brushed off were not luxuries. Not at all. They were necessities, meant to restore the body and mind from the relentless demands of the job.
I wasn’t alone in this.
Most of my colleagues in aviation pushed through sleepless nights, irregular meals and the constant buzz of activity, wearing exhaustion as a badge of honor. When I think of it now, rest always felt like something to be earned. I never considered it an essential part of my well-being.
It took years for me to realize that rest is not optional. It’s non-negotiable.
This understanding didn’t just transform how I approached rest. It completely changed my entire evening routine. I began to see evenings not as the leftover hours of the day, but as sacred moments to recharge, reflect and replenish—especially after countless hours spent in planes, flying through time zones and navigating an irregular, hectic schedule.
Through intentional rituals, I learned to release the stresses of the day and prepare my body and mind for true rest.
If I could find peace and restoration in my evenings, even with such chaos, I know you can, too. These sacred hours can become your space to realign and restore, setting a gentle and empowered tone for the next day.
Learn to Rest Without Guilt
Clear the Energy of the Day
After a day of interactions, emotions, experiences and everything you unintentionally picked up along the way, your energetic field can feel heavy. Begin your evening routine with a cleansing shower—a symbolic and literal way to wash away the energy of the day.
- As you let the water flow over you, imagine it carrying away any tension and stagnant energy.
- Visualize a glowing light surrounding you, restoring your energy to its natural, vibrant state.
- Affirm: I release what no longer serves me. I am light and at peace.
Reflect Through Journaling
Journaling is the ultimate act of self-reflection, a sacred practice that lets you pour your thoughts and emotions onto paper. Take five to ten minutes to process the day, extracting lessons and acknowledging your growth.
- What went well today? Write down the moments that brought joy or made you proud.
- What didn’t go as planned? Instead of judgment, approach this with curiosity and compassion. What can you learn?
- What are you grateful for? Gratitude raises your frequency and shifts your perspective to abundance.
Set Intentions for Tomorrow
Planning your day in advance is an act of self-respect and empowerment. After reflecting, shift your focus to tomorrow.
- Write down your top 3 priorities for the next day.
- Set an intention for how you want to feel (calm, productive, joyful, grounded).
- Visualize yourself moving through your day with ease and alignment, completing your tasks and savoring meaningful moments.
Create a High-Frequency Environment
Your surroundings impact your energy. This intentional preparation creates a cocoon of calm that nurtures your soul and enhances the quality of your rest. Elevate your evening with elements that uplift and soothe your soul:
Lighting: Use soft, warm lighting or candles to create a calming atmosphere.
Sound: Play gentle music, nature sounds, or binaural beats to relax your mind. (*Binaural beats are a perception of sound. If you listen to two tones, each at a different frequency and each in a different ear, your brain creates an additional tone you can hear. This third tone is called a binaural beat. Binaural beats are thought to influence brainwaves and promote relaxation, focus and sleep).
Scent: Diffuse essential oils like lavender, chamomile, or frankincense to promote relaxation.
Cleanse your space: Tidy up before bed to maintain a sense of order and peace.
Nourish Your Body and Soul
Treat your evening as an opportunity to nurture yourself on every level:
- Sip on a calming herbal tea (chamomile or peppermint).
- Practice gentle stretches or yoga to release physical tension and connect with your breath.
- Meditate for a few minutes, focusing on your breath or repeating a calming mantra: I am safe. I am loved. All is well.
These small acts send a powerful message to your body—you are cherished, and you deserve care. Let this part of your routine be a quiet celebration of the relationship you have with yourself.
Soothe Yourself to Sleep
This is your time to release any lingering worries and fully surrender to the healing power of sleep. Treat it as a sacred pause, where your body and mind can truly replenish. End your evening by consciously preparing for rest:
Disconnect: Avoid screens and social media an hour before bed to protect your energy and mental clarity.
Affirmations: Whisper affirmations like I am grateful for today. I release what I cannot change. Tomorrow is filled with endless possibilities.
Visualization: As you lie down, picture yourself waking up feeling refreshed, aligned and excited for the day ahead.
What would it look like for you to prioritize rest—and I don't mean just as a break, but as an act of self-love and restoration—to create a routine that can transform your life in a matter of days?
I've prepared 6 Powerful Evening Journaling Prompts for you to get into the habit of creating an amazing evening routine. Are you ready to create a sacred container for reflection, release and renewal and wake up lighter, more aligned and deeply connected to your purpose?
Click here to download 6 Powerful Evening Journaling Prompts to start tonight. You deserve a life where your evenings feel like a retreat for your soul. Enjoy!