Why "Rest" May Not Be the Right Word for the Times We’re In.
"Rest is resistance."
It's a rallying cry we've heard again and again. For Black women especially, rest is supposed to be revolutionary — a way to reclaim time and push back against grind culture.
But let’s be honest.
When you look around at what's happening in the world — from political turmoil to economic instability — can we really rest right now?
That's the question I’m wrestling with. And I know I’m not alone.
The Reality Check: Who Really Gets to Rest?
Rest has often been framed as the antidote to burnout. But who has access to that luxury?
Can a single Black mother losing her affordable housing stipend rest?
Can an HBCU grad stepping into this brutal job market rest?
Can Black cultural leaders fighting to save museums from closure rest?
For many, rest feels like a privilege, not a right.
In truth, survival is still the priority for too many in our community. And that makes the trendy narratives around rest feel disconnected — even harmful at times.
The Cognitive Dissonance: Prepare... But Also Rest?
Here's where it gets complicated.
Some of the very people pushing "rest" as gospel are now preaching preparation.
Stock up. Plant gardens. Brace yourselves.
Wait — so which is it?
This contradiction exposes a deeper truth: sometimes, survival and rest collide. And for Black women carrying generational burdens, the idea of switching off completely feels not only impractical but impossible.
Redefining Rest: From Escape to Alignment
So where does that leave us?
Maybe it's time to update the language.
Maybe right now, rest isn’t about absence — it’s about alignment.
It’s about discerning:
What’s worth your labor
What builds you vs. what drains you
Where your presence matters most
For me, laboring for my community, creating meaningful content, and teaching the next generation of marketers are all worth the work.
That is sacred labor.
That is chosen labor.
And maybe — just maybe — that’s what rest looks like right now.
Rest As Resistance... On Our Terms
For Black women, rest will never be simple.
We are daughters of those who couldn't.
We are warriors who often must.
But that doesn’t mean we don’t deserve small, chosen moments.
Rest can look like:
→ Saying no without guilt
→ Choosing softness in a hard world
→ Prioritizing stillness when urgency reigns
This isn’t about checking out.
It’s about checking in — with ourselves, our energy, and our capacity.
Final Thoughts: Give Yourself Permission
So, can Black women truly rest right now?
Maybe not in the way the narratives suggest.
But we can choose alignment over exhaustion.
We can choose discernment over depletion.
And that, in itself, is revolutionary.
In these times, rest might not be a nap — it might be saying:
"This is worthy of me. That is not."
And that’s powerful.
