Black Reads: Ode to Rest
At times we forget about our free will, and with that we should opt into more rest in our days, nights, weeks, months, years. We are making up time for our ancestors in this lifetime, too.
To be the vessel for the ones who walked this land before us includes moments of rest. Many times, we are the vessel for messages, and the words that flow through our pens, but when we hustle, we prevent them from experiencing the rest they never had.
We can change that every time we intentionally decide to rest.
This read started with a chat thread announcement that there would be no Sunday post, because I was tired. But I started to wonder how many of us have to stop ourselves to rest. So I asked the following questions, and the response was poetic, calling my name to curate into a newsletter.
I’m sharing this to ask you, when was the last time you allowed yourself to put something aside and rest? And as a Black person, why does it feel so wrong? I have my reasons, but I’m curious to hear yours.
Enjoy.
“Baby, Go Sit Down.”
It is like we should always be doing something.
We are not used to prioritizing rest and mental health. What a privilege working for ourselves has blessed us with this opportunity.
We as people hate to be putting off stuff for later.
Knowing damn well we could’ve handled it than.
Wasted time are wasted wants for the future. Procrastination isn’t part of our DNA. Time to rest, is most important though. Not only for the body but for your mind, your spirit, when you are at your height of senses. Involve yourself with the energies of the earth and seek drawn air.
We should make it a point to give ourselves the same grace we give to others.
We are pushed to do so much all the time because this country was built on exploitive labor, and it hasn’t figured out a way to exist without it, even when the pay is good. Constant hustling blocks our creativity, and you need rest for replenishment. Rest before your body sits you down.
Because it’s been ingrained in us that rest is laziness and we must earn our rest by some form of labor. The work of writing takes time. Rest is part of the writing and creating process.
For centuries in the West, during chattel slavery and beyond, our worth was measured by our output. That trauma has been passed down and internalized. That’s why putting rest and wellness before output is so important, and revolutionary!
Imma hold all y’all in a group hug when I emphatically invite you to have a seat. Yes, we got shit to do, and it’ll get done when it’s done. Trust in divine timing unapologetically. If your body and spirit says no, go lay down somewhere til the ancestors tell you to get up and move.
We have never been shown what rest looks like from our elders. It was always about pushing through the trials and obstacles. One thing I hope we learn is balance in life, and share those tips of the trade to the generations to follow.
We don’t need permission to rest or feel guilty for doing what should be natural. But if you need it, your community granny elder said, “Take yo rest, baby!”
Black folks and rest is like oil and water in this country that has beaten into our DNA that we don’t deserve to rest, party, and have pleasure because our main function in this country was to be slaves. And slaves don’t rest, play, party, or have pleasure because that would indicate HUMANITY. And the white supremacist job has been to dehumanize us.
That’s why rest is RESISTANCE.
Joy is RESISTANCE.
Pleasure is RESISTANCE.
“Stay dangerous”
Today’s “Black Reads” is brought to you by these wonderful Black authors:
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This is written so well! I can fully relate to this and rest is beyond important even if it feels guilty!
Great read, you got a new subscriber