Hey Mama, Rest is Revolutionary
Photo Credit: @acreativegangster
Hey Mamas,
Like many of you, I’ve been thinking a lot lately about our world. It hurts me to my core to know that Black people continue to be seen as threats in our society. It hurts me to know that there never has been and may never be the appropriate amount of accountability and action taken for all the precious lives that have been lost. It hurts even more to realize that the lost lives of Black women do not receive enough acknowledgment or attention. I hate feeling this way, but more importantly- I hate to see my community hurt in this way.
In moments like this, I never want us to lose sight of the things that still matter. The world would lead us to believe that our lives don’t matter, but they still do. We absolutely must continue to pursue our goals, dreams, and passions. We must take really really good care of ourselves. We must continue to love and support each other the best we can. These things matter and they are forms of activism because it fights back against a system that would rather see us dead.
My son turned 1-year-old in May of this year and I've been reflecting so much on what it means to be a Black mother during times of extreme stress, injustice, and unrest. What I constantly come back to is that my son needs me to be healthy, thriving, and alive. Being a mother is one of the most challenging yet rewarding roles I've been blessed to hold. Connecting with other mothers has been one of the greatest joys of my life. I know that we need more support and it is my mission to ensure that we get the help we need to stay healthy, happy, and present for our children.
Mama, what I want to tell you is that rest is revolutionary. You need rest more than ever before. As Black mothers, we are tasked with so many precious responsibilities to our children, families, work, and our communities. The weight of this role and these responsibilities can get heavy, especially when racism, trauma, social injustice, and unrest are among us. The most valuable lesson I’ve learned in my journey of motherhood is that self-care is essential. Rest is necessary.
Journaling Prompts
How much are you able to give to others when you are absolutely depleted?
How can you possibly make a change in the world if you are not energized and nurtured?
What impact will you have on your children if you are not well?
When was the last time you made time for rest?
Black mothers are powerful. We are powerful when we are working together to uplift and empower one another. However, we are most powerful when we are rested and well. Rest is vital for our community, our children, and most importantly, for ourselves. Rest is revolutionary and you need it more than ever before, mama.
Let’s work together to keep wellness and our self-care at the forefront because our ability to show up for others relies heavily on how we first show up for ourselves.
Do you need help with rest, your wellness or showing up for yourself? If yes, consider joining #𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝𝗪𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐌𝐚𝐦𝐚 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝗪𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬, a 6-week group wellness program for working mothers. Feel empowered to improve your wellness while also empowering other mamas to do the same. Check out balancedworkingmama.com to learn more!
