... And just relax, relax, relax

 

The great philosophers, Raphael Saadiq and Dwayne Wiggins, invited us to lay our heads... Contrary to popular belief, 1993 is indeed 30 years ago. Yet here some of us are, still exhausted and pushing through. My first read of the New Year was Tricia Hersey's, Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto. This book is filled with gems and reminders to take better care of ourselves, not from buying a Peloton, going low carb/no carb/cardboard box... simply taking moments to rest. And for some... that's a radical thought. Societal norms, née white capitalistic patriarchal ways of thinking, made me hyperaware of stigmas associated with Black women. Also, I was keenly aware that the descriptor with "too" as the preface is often times not a compliment. Armed with that knowledge I was on the grind tout le temps and with that came the overthinking, overextension, my anxiety saying, "Hey girl, heeyyyy" as soon as I opened my eyes. 

Tbh, that shit got old & counterproductive. Hersey so eloquently put it, "Productivity should not look like exhaustion." I look at like this (analogy loading in 5, 4...). You put time and money into your car. Gas, tires, oil change, the stuff they tell you need when you think you just need an oil change, car note, car insurance. We handle that, minimum if any questions asked. Yet, when it comes to finding time for ourselves to rejuvenate, refocus, recharge, we may deem ourselves unworthy until more things are checked off a checklist that is to infinity and beyond. 

My Mama told me that life is not a rehearsal. If you want to do something, do it. Yes, I recognize that's easier said than done. However, the alternative is the perpetual hell of exhaustion which leaves little to no time for you. Am I suggesting something drastic... maybe? But this New Year (thou art loosed from that unnecessary/incorrect apostrophe 's' that keeps some shackled), I am prescribing REST! Take your PTO, take your sick leave, take FMLA, take a 5 minute break (away from your desk), take a lunch break, take a walk, take a nap. Take. Time. For. Yourself. There's no need to wait for rest until a line of people filled with some mofos you never rocked with to participate in 3 minutes of expressions. Take a page from our OG Auntie, Maxine Waters and reclaim your time because if no one has told you as of late, you are worthy & deserving. I see you & I love you.