Girl, Take That Nap!
This past week week knocked the wind out of me. I had to take a pause be honest with me so that I could truly listen to my body. If that is one thing I know for sure it is that our childhood does play a huge role in how we show up, act and live in our adult lives. “Can’t let grass grow under my feet,” was a quote my father repeated over and over throughout my childhood. Although this mindset is helpful in some cases it most definitely will leave you TIED honey!
For the lack of balance in my life I relied heavily on the idea of never resting, running until my body shut me down. Leaving me feeling so much anxiety, tired, left feeling completely burnt out on so many occasions. Saying yes to every opportunity for the fear of missing that ONE big opportunity. Slowly but surely my body begin to let me know, “Honey chile we are running low!”
Over the years I have noticed the nuanced concepts between black women and our relationship with rest. Personally, I have equated my need for rest as a reward instead of rest being necessary.
It’s important to note that the act of taking a nap has not always been celebrated within the black community especially black women. In fact, there has been a long-standing stigma surrounding napping, with some black women being accused of being lazy or unproductive if they choose to take a nap during the day. Recently I took a step back to catch my breath and figure out how I could untangle myself from this rat race I have been in.
There have been times when I do a really great job of balancing the rest and work until somehow I fall back into the harmful pattern. I am in a continuous journey of embracing a new normal that keeps my rest as a high priority. A few years back I read a book, Laziness Does Not Exist by Devon Price. This book changed my perspective of what I once considered being lazy. Every page I read released me of the expectation of constantly “doing” instead of simply just being. Sometimes that being means not having a laundry list of things to do.
A conversation with my cousin changed my perspective on naps.I admired his commitment to himself he never misses his naps, it’s top priority for him. I admired his commitment to himself so I asked how he did it? He said, “I take naps when my body says it needs it.” Whoa what a revelation. I never thought that naps could change your life that much.
I must admit I am guilty of working to the point of exhaustion, willing myself to points of being drained, believing the mantra, Hustling over RESTING! We live in a society that rushes us, makes us feel small, makes us believe we are late to the expected end we desire for ourselves. We work so hard to “make it” all the while our bodies are not healthy, our minds are not fresh or rested. It is so necessary for our bodies to have what we need that includes taking a NAP! Even our phones teach of the lesson of rest. Sometimes when you believe your phone is broken, not working properly its a simple fix, power the phone off then turn it back on. Our bodies need the time to power down, rest, so that we might reach our full potential. Take it from me don’t get to the point of a near break down before you start listening to your body. Every dream you have, the visions you write out for yourself is possible. On the road to your dream, Girl, Take That Nap! Your body needs it. You deserve to enjoy a life full of beauty. Beauty is embracing each moment with love, attention and care. Please the world needs a healthy you. Don’t run yourself in the ground chasing something you won’t be able to enjoy because you are too tired to see it.
Girl, Take That Nap!