Episode 29: Stop Feeling Guilty for Rest: A Midlife Reflection on Joy, Guilt, and Permission to Pause

In this deeply personal episode of Harmony in the Hustle, Angela Vassallo returns to share a powerful reflection on something many high-achieving women struggle with: guilt around taking time for yourself.

Fresh off the announcement of being selected to give a TEDx talk in Tampa, Angela opens up about the emotions that surfaced as she prepared to travel to Portugal to co-lead a luxury women’s retreat her first solo international trip in years. Despite the alignment with her passion and purpose, guilt still crept in.

Angela explores where this guilt comes from, why so many women feel they need to "earn" rest, and how she’s learned to reframe these thoughts especially in midlife.

What You’ll Hear:

• The behind-the-scenes of Angela’s TEDx talk preparation
• Her upcoming women’s retreat in Portugal (and why it’s so meaningful)
• The deep-seated guilt women often carry when choosing rest over hustle
• How Angela reframed rest as resourcefulness, not indulgence
• Why midlife isn’t a crisis; it’s a calling
• A powerful story from Angela’s childhood that shaped her desire to travel
• Her evolving identity as a mother, leader, speaker and woman rediscovering joy
• The importance of choosing joy, slowing down, and being present

Key Themes:

• Midlife Reinvention: Why Angela believes your 40s and 50s are your advantage
• Rest Without Guilt: Giving yourself permission to pause and reconnect
• Resourcefulness Over Hustle: Choosing reflection and alignment over burnout
• Emotional Awareness: Noticing the guilt when it creeps in and reframing it

Standout Quotes:

🟡 “Midlife isn’t a crisis. It’s a calling.”
🟡 “We don’t have to earn rest. Joy is not selfish; it’s our birthright.”
🟡 “You’re not stuck, you’re in transition.”
🟡 “Rest isn’t a reward. It’s a requirement for clarity, leadership, and impact.”

Why This Episode Matters

If you’ve ever felt torn between productivity and peace…
If you’ve felt guilty for taking a break or investing in yourself…
This episode is your permission slip.

Angela reminds us that resourceful leadership starts with self-awareness and alignment. In slowing down, we often discover exactly what we need to move forward with purpose and power.

Subscribe to Harmony in the Hustle
For more episodes that blend ambition with authenticity, subscribe on your favorite platform.

Follow Angela’s Journey
Watch Angela’s TEDx prep, travel, and behind-the-scenes updates on Instagram and YouTube.

Related Topics:
#MidlifeSuccess, #ResourcefulLeadership, #WomenInBusiness, #JoyOverHustle, #TEDxSpeaker, #PermissionToRest, #WomenWhoLead, #SelfReinvention, #ResilienceAndResourcefulness