I grew up in the Midwest, and I remember clearly being told when I was applying to colleges (by more than one person) that admissions committees like us cornfed midwestern kids, not because of our culturally-presumed wholesomeness, but specifically because of our work ethic. This was a myth I embraced wholeheartedly, because I did in fact have a very strong work ethic. I truly believed there was no such thing as a problem that couldn't be solved without as much hard work as was required.

Looking back, that idea was keeping me trapped in some unhealthy attitudes about myself. Ideas that I'm still untangling decades later. 

But it was easy to stay trapped in those bad ideas, because I've never been very naturally inclined to idleness. Even my daydreams inevitably turn into projects. So how do you rest when everything about your personality and your cultural conditioning is telling you never to slow down, let alone stop?