Rest Mode
Over the past week I’ve been getting an influx of texts asking how I’m doing. I don’t know if folx think I’m crying/handwringing or what, but if anything, I’m doubling down on the direction I was already headed in: forward. It was my 2024 word of the year. The projects I’ve shared before are still in progress. The only thing that changed for me was increased confidence of their importance. I remain steadfast.
But also:
I saw that photo on Threads today, and it resonated so deeply, echoing the vibe that I along with so many Black women are feeling right now. It also brought this post to mind:
Considering those I follow who are on the spectrum from “burn it all down” to “let’s hug it out,” I’ve been thinking about how the fact that the current system clearly isn’t working, from the racist electoral college to disenfranchisement efforts, and the unfortunately reality that data and facts aren’t enough to persuade over 76 million Americans not to believe lies, I believe part of the process of creating a new system will require the massive dismantling of the current one. It’s just rough grappling with the dread of impending chaos that comes before then.
To that end, listening to
‘s response to Rachel Maddow’s question, “How do we get our compass pointing back to north?” is worthwhile:
Also, here’s the link to the Substack post mentioned in the interview detailing 5 areas to prioritize. Specifically, this one speaks to me the most:
“We must hold onto the things that refresh our spirits – time with family, music, art, nature, hobbies, food. We must protect our core.”
And per the title of this post, Tricia Hersey of The Nap Ministry said it best:
Yesss! We can’t burn out…part of collective liberation is rest!