30 Jan Listen to Your Body: Rest Now or Pay Later

Listen to Your Body: Rest Now or Pay Later

By Julli Jaramillo

Living in the Northeast of the United States means tolerating brutal winters, but this year, the cold has felt especially relentless—not just in the air, but in the weight of everything happening around us. Political turmoil, uncertainty, and the ever-present feeling of chaos have made it impossible to ignore the toll it takes on our minds and bodies.

And then it happened— I got sick, so sick that I found myself mentally saying goodbye to my favorite things.

Feeling under the weather? Your body is telling you to slow down—listen to it before burnout takes over!

It wasn’t the kind of sickness that rest and fluids could fix. It was my body waving a white flag, forcing me to stop, to slow down, to listen, and to sleep. And I realized something: If we don’t take breaks, our bodies will force them upon us —without regard for schedules or priorities.

We are living through historic times. The exhaustion, the anxiety, the stress, the feeling of being frozen in place—it’s not just personal. It’s collective. And yet, amidst this, we have to push on. As translators and interpreters, we don’t just live in this world; we help others navigate it. We are linguistic bridges in judiciary spaces, in high-stakes environments where access to language is access to justice and human dignity.

But what happens when we—the ones holding these bridges together—start to crumble?

Self-Care in Times of Political and Social Tension

In my opinion, self-care is not bubble baths and mindfulness apps. It’s a radical act of self-preservation. It’s knowing when to rest before we collapse. Not only that, but it’s setting boundaries. It’s understanding that our worth is not tied to how much we endure, or how much we produce.

What does self-care look like when the world seems on fire?

Sometimes, the best thing you can do for yourself is to unplug, rest, and recover

• • Guilt-free pause: Rest is not a reward; it’s a need. Our bodies and minds require recovery, even when our brains are saying we must go on.
  • Turn off the noise: Continuous exposure to chaos does not make us stronger or better prepared. At some point, we have to protect our peace.
  • Leaning into community: Isolation makes everything heavier. The support around us, knowing you aren’t alone in your pain and struggles, will remind you there’s help and that people care.
  • Remembering our impact: The work that we do matters, but we are not machines. Burning out doesn’t serve the communities we care about.
  • Restoring joy: In hard times, reclaiming joy can be a subversive act. A walk, a song, a book, sharing a laugh with a friend— all count. So, do it often.

The Takeaway

We do this work because we care. But to continue being linguistic bridges that so many depend on, we have to take care of ourselves, too. Moments to pause aren’t a luxury— they are a necessity, and we must take them.

We can’t interpret, translate, advocate, uplift if we’re running on fumes. It is not a selfish act to care for oneself; actually, it’s the only way one can keep showing up-for oneself and for our communities.

These are hard times, and they ask a lot of us. But survival is not just about pushing through—it’s about making sure we have enough left to keep going. If you are tired, take that as a sign. Step back, rest, and recover. We need you here, and we need you whole.

And most importantly, pay your body its due now, or you will end up paying for it later.

Rest is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. Prioritize your well-being before your body forces you!

Keep the Conversation Going

If this topic resonated with you, be sure to check out our previous blog posts for more insights on the realities of our profession, and the evolving world of judiciary translation and interpreting:

• • A Year of Growth, Gratitude, and Community – Welcome to 2025 — A reflection on the past year and a look ahead at the values shaping our community in 2025.
  • The Couch: Starting Fresh – Advice for New Graduates in Judiciary Translation and Interpreting — Practical advice and insights for new professionals stepping into the field.
  • Judiciary Translation vs. Judiciary Interpretation – Which Path Resonates with You? — A breakdown of key differences between these career paths to help you find the right fit.

You can find these and more in our blog archives!

Let’s continue the discussion—drop your thoughts in the comments or connect with us in our community.

How are you prioritizing your well-being in these challenging times?
What practices work for you to balance your well-being and your responsibilities?

Thank you for Reading!

The images used in this post are sourced from Unsplash. They are used for illustrative purposes only.

A radiant and confident portrait of a woman embracing bold style and elegance

Julli Jaramillo is the newest Publishing Coordinator and Editor-in-Chief for NAJIT. She holds a master’s degree in Translation from NYU and has extensive experience in quality assurance, content development, and strategic growth. Passionate about NAJIT’s mission to uphold ethical standards for judiciary translators and interpreters, she is dedicated to driving the organization’s growth while ensuring its publications meet high-quality standards and adapt to evolving industry demands. In her free time, Julli enjoys baking and creating art.

Feel free to reach out to her (tno_editor@najit.org) to chat about the NAJIT Observer or Proteus—she is excited to collaborate!

Join the NAJIT Observer’s vibrant community of contributors! We are seeking passionate writers to share insights on legal translation and interpretation. Email your pitch or draft today and help shape our industry. Visit najit.org/blog for more details.