It Is Okay to Do the Bare Minimum (Yes, Even as a Youth Therapist)

For the whole month of April, my mom came to visit.

And for the first time in a long time, I gave myself permission to take a step back.

I chose to do the bare minimum to keep my counselling practice running—so I could be fully present with her.

I still met with clients.
But I skipped networking events, swapped long admin days for home-cooked dinners, and spent my free time walking at Van Dusen Botanical Garden instead of planning content or writing blogs.

My mom’s a fellow introvert, and we often sat together reading in silence. One of those days, I started Rest is Resistance, a book that got me reflecting deeply on rest, presence, and the grind culture we live in.

And you know what? It is okay to do the bare minimum

Not because you're giving up—but because you're choosing what really matters in the moment.

Why It Is Okay to Do the Bare Minimum, Especially in a World That Tells You Otherwise

At first, slowing down felt uncomfortable.
We live in a world where success is often defined by constant productivity, attending all the right events, hitting big milestones, and staying “visible.” I’ve internalized so much of that messaging—and I know I’m not alone.

But the timing couldn’t have been better. My mom is also an introvert, and our visit was filled with soft moments: reading together in silence, sharing meals, and reflecting on life. A friend recently recommended Rest Is Resistance—and reading it cracked something open in me.

It challenged the idea that we always have to strive. And it reminded me that it is okay to do the bare minimum. Not because you’re giving up, but because you’re choosing what truly matters in that season of life.

What Does It Actually Mean When We Say “It Is Okay to Do the Bare Minimum?”

Let’s clarify something.

Doing the bare minimum doesn’t mean not caring.

It’s not about slacking off or coasting.

In my case, it looked like still showing up 100% in sessions with clients,

while not pushing myself to do all the “extra” things—like marketing, networking, or business growth strategies.

It is okay to do the bare minimum when you’re working with what’s available to you—your time, energy, capacity.

It’s about being intentional with your limited resources and still honouring your values.

It’s about choosing rest without guilt.

And in this season, I chose to prioritize quiet connection with someone I love. That’s what mattered most.

Reframing Productivity: Why It Is Okay to Do the Bare Minimum and Still Grow

I used to move through life always doing. Hustling. Achieving.

Half the time, I wasn’t even sure why—or who I was doing it all for.
Over time, therapy (both giving and receiving) helped me understand the value of pausing, reflecting, and living with intention.

It is okay to do the bare minimum when you're reconnecting with yourself.
It can be deeply grounding and expansive.

This past month gave me space to reflect on my growth and reimagine what’s next.
It helped me reframe old beliefs—like the idea that rest equals laziness, or that I’m falling behind if I’m not always producing.

I want to name this gently but clearly: doing less doesn’t make you less.

The Balance: It Is Okay to Do the Bare Minimum and Want More!

There’s nothing wrong with striving.
In fact, a big part of my work with clients is supporting them as they dream big, get clear on what fits in their lives, and move toward alignment.

But constantly pushing forward without pause can keep us disconnected—from ourselves, our bodies, and our deeper needs.

There’s space for both.

There are times to go all in, and there are times when it is okay to do the bare minimum.

The trick is knowing when you’re doing something from a place of alignment, and when you’re doing it out of pressure or fear.

Growth Still Happens Even When You Do the Bare Minimum

This whole thing reminded me of my garden.

When I plant seeds, I often catch myself waiting impatiently for results—wanting to skip ahead to the fruit.

But there’s beauty in every stage. From the tiny bud breaking through the soil to the tall, thriving plant. It all matters.

So whether you’re in a season of growth or a season of rest, just remember: it is okay to do the bare minimum.

You’re still growing. You’re still enough.

And the fruits will come—right on time.

Hello, I’m Nita Agustin

Registered Clinical Counsellor based in Burnaby, BC

My jam is working with queer youth and young adults, especially those who do not want to be defined by what society told them about themselves. I help clients figure out who they are, who they want to be, and how to get there. We do this by processing how their past impacted the way they live out their life today. From our work together, I noticed clients develop better self-awareness and experience improved quality of life as they can show up differently in their relationships.

I offer virtual and in-person sessions near Brentwood, North Burnaby. I am licensed to practise in BC, as well as all across Canada, so I support clients all over BC, all the way from Vancouver to Kitimat. Other than working with clients who reside in BC, I also can support clients who reside in Yukon Territories, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Newfoundland.

Check out my About me page to learn more about what I do and have to offer for you. Also, explore my Services page to see how I can guide you in making shifts in your life today. If you feel ready to discover ways to live life on your own terms, I welcome you to book an initial intake session. I am so stoked to meet you and start figuring out how you can show up as your best self!

Throughout this pandemic, I witnessed telehealth virtual sessions become more of a norm, and it has been super transformative seeing clients can access mental health services from the comfort of their home.

There are lots of different stereotypes out there, and society tells us who we are supposed to be and what we are supposed to do in the world. It can feel very overwhelming and confusing to compare our personal experience against those ideas. The thing is, you no longer have to be defined by what society tells you. It is your life to live, and you get to decide who get a say about your life.