When was the last time you truly rested? Not just sleeping or taking a nap. Like rest in the truest sense; no guilt, no hustle whispering in your ear, no to-do list tugging at your peace. For many Black people, especially those navigating systems that demand constant proof of worth, rest feels like a luxury we can’t afford.
We’re Wired to Keep Going
We’ve been raised in cultures that praise grit, hard work, and resilience. And while there’s beauty in that, there’s also pain in how it has robbed us of rest. In Nigeria, you hear things like “na person wey get money dey rest” (Rest is for the rich) or “if you sleep, hunger go wake you” (If you sleep, hunger will wake you up). In Caribbean communities, they say “sleep is the cousin of death.” In African-American circles, the history of slavery and systemic racism carved a culture where rest had consequences.
We’ve become so used to hustle culture that we’ve started making excuses for not resting like it’s a badge of honour. Rest feels like laziness. Taking breaks feels like you’re falling behind. We wear exhaustion like a trophy and dismiss rest like it’s a luxury we can’t afford.
Rest Is a Struggle for the Struggling
Rest is even harder for those who struggle financially. The mindset many grow up with is that rest is for the rich. So instead of giving their bodies and minds the break they deserve, they push through burnout in hopes of earning that rest “someday.” Sadly, “someday” often never comes.
And then there’s the hustle gospel we hear online: “People are making money while you’re sleeping.” These popular finance messages guilt people into thinking rest is weakness. You scroll through your feed and see posts that shame 8-hour sleepers. It starts to feel like if you’re not suffering, you’re not doing it right.
But here’s the truth: there will always be more than 101 things calling for your attention; deadlines, pressure, ambitions. If you keep waiting for the perfect time to rest, it may never come. And to keep depriving yourself of rest is to remain married to work till death do you part.
We Carry History in Our Bones
Our aversion to rest is historical. Our ancestors were never allowed to rest. Whether enslaved, colonized, or oppressed by systems that viewed them as tools rather than people, rest wasn’t just a pause, it was a threat. And that fear has been passed down in our DNA.
We inherited the belief that value is tied to output. That to be respected, we must be grinding. That sleep is for the privileged, not the resilient. But we need to undo that belief.
Rest Is Not Laziness, It’s Healing
The truth is rest is productive. It gives your body time to recharge, your mind space to breathe, and your soul a moment of peace. If you’re constantly running on empty, burnout is no longer a matter of “if”, it becomes a matter of “when.”
Rest doesn’t have to mean doing absolutely nothing. It can be:
– Saying no to unnecessary weekend obligations.
– Sleeping in without apology.
– Spending time with your favorite people doing something light.
– Journaling, taking a walk, or just watching a feel-good movie.
– Intentionally choosing joy, peace, and ease.
Let’s Redefine the Weekend for Ourselves
Your weekends shouldn’t just be about catching up on everything you didn’t do during the week. They can also be your reset. Your chance to slow down, recover, and care for yourself.
You are not lazy for needing rest. You are not weak for feeling tired. You are human and you carry a lot. Rest is not a luxury for a specific set of people. It’s a right. And you don’t need to hustle your way into earning it.
This weekend, we challenge you to do just one thing that helps you rest. Not because you earned it. Not because you finished your to-do list. But simply because you deserve to.
Are you up for this challenge? Let us know in the comments!
