“Destroy the idea that you have to be constantly working or grinding in order to be successful. Embrace the concept that rest, recovery, reflection are essential parts of the progress towards a successful and happy life.” -Zach Galifinakis
I remember reading a meme that made its way around Instagram early that read, “if you don’t come out of this quarantine with a new skill, your side hustle started, or more knowledge, you never lacked time, you lacked discipline.” that aggressively floated around IG about two to three weeks into the quarantine. I remember how I felt the first time I saw it, it made me freeze and immediately meditate, like selah. And so, I literally pondered its validity – like is this true or nah? My wheels started turning as I began to think of all kinds of valid reasons why one may not come out of this pandemic with any of the above and it’s not because they lacked discipline.
Perhaps it’s because they’re busy providing, surviving, taking care of loved ones, or trying to salvage any sense of sanity in the midst of a global pandemic that is disproportionately impacting Black people, dealing with economic hardship, or fighting racial injustice. I mean, call me crazy, but I wouldn’t feel like discovering a new skill, if my kids are hungry and I’m worried about how the rent is going to be paid. I can hardly push through my anxiety to log in to work each morning, and I’m working from home! It’s funny how social media works – it can be extremely polarizing. Some folks immediately grab ahold of everything that goes around that sounds good, while others are like “no fam, I’m not jumping on this bandwagon”. Just so we’re all on the same page, I’m in the “no fam, I’m not jumping on this bandwagon.”
It didn’t take long before I began to see it more frequently and then I started seeing people talking about online classes or trainings in which they had registered, and even posting screenshots of receipts – lest we all wonder if they are lying about the steps they’re taking to maximize their quarantine vacation. They weren’t going to be coupled with undisciplined slackers who clearly suck at life because we are not intent on coming out of this pandemic with anything other than our very lives. There’s another thing that I need to say about this, some people are actually working full-time hours or more during this time. MOST PEOPLE ARE NOT ON “VACATION!” It is a privilege to view this as extra time or to be at home and unbothered about how you’ll sustain yourself because you work for yourself AND/OR you simply have enough money. For many, it’s an EXTRAORDINARILY difficult time.
I found a quote that’s been super helpful as I try to navigate our current state of affairs and the immense pressure to “do something” that is circulating on social media. “Destroy the idea that you have to be constantly working or grinding in order to be successful. Embrace the concept that rest, recovery, reflection are essential parts of the progress towards a successful and happy life.” -Zach Galifinakis Periodt! And, this is how I am intentionally surviving this pandemic. Yes, I work. And yes, I have other responsibilities to take care of. However, none of that can happen if I do not take time and make space for me to rest, recover, and reflect. I plan to repeat this cycle, not merely during this crucial time, but indefinitely. We really need to take it easy on one another. We’re all out here trying to survive in these rona-streets as best we can and that is a feat in and of itself.
One of my new favorite IG pages is @thenapministry. Tricia Hersey is the Nap Bishop and her ministry is rooted in such a simple yet deeply conflicting concept – rest. If you have no idea what I’m talking about and you’re reading this like, what?!? Rest? Yes sis, rest. And, I’m not just talking about sleep. Sleep is a type of rest, but when we rest, it means we stop laboring, so that we can stop our weariness. Are you weary? Are you tired? Just stop what you’re doing and sit or lay down and do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! She believes in rest as our divine right and rest as a form of resistance and reparations. LAWD Geezus!! I AM HERE FOR IT, but it’s incredibly difficult to embody this as a lifestyle in our grind culture. I come from a blue collar family where my mom and step-dad worked every shift imaginable and regularly worked mandatory overtime. And, I’ve been working since I was 14!! The concept of rest quite honestly is foreign to me and I’ve often felt guilty for doing so. Regardless, I’m learning and I’ve decided I’ll no longer be shamed into not resting. I will no longer equate rest with laziness. Because, that really is a thing. I will rest. I will rest because I need to. I will rest because I deserve to. I will rest because my literal survival is rooted and grounded in rest.
