Reclaiming Rest: The Sacred Act of Choosing Ease Over Exhaustion
- K. N. Jackson
- Jul 24
- 2 min read
There was a time when I believed rest had to be earned. That I had to prove my worth through productivity. That slowing down meant I was falling behind. I didn’t realize I was caught in a loop—a cycle passed down through generations of Black women who carried the weight of everyone but themselves.
But I’ve come to understand this truth: rest is not a reward; it is a right.
Choosing rest—real, sacred, soul-deep rest—is an act of rebellion and remembrance. It’s how I return to myself. In stillness, I reconnect with my breath. In silence, I hear Spirit speak. And in softness, I remember I am not just a vessel for others, I am a divine being worthy of peace.
I see now that exhaustion is not proof of love or loyalty. I no longer glorify burnout as a badge of strength. Instead, I honor my body’s need for ease. I create boundaries. I let go of the hustle. I allow joy.
This is the sacred act: reclaiming rest as my birthright.
And I am not alone. Black women everywhere are releasing survival mode and leaning into rest as healing. We are rewriting the narrative.
If this speaks to your spirit, I invite you to explore these books that continue to anchor me in this practice:
Rest Is Resistance by Tricia Hersey – A radical call to disrupt grind culture and reclaim rest as liberation.
Sisters of the Yam by Bell Hooks – A gentle, powerful guide to self-care and healing for Black women.
The Nap Ministry’s Rest Deck by Tricia Hersey – Daily rest practices and affirmations that remind us to pause.
Affirmation: I am whole in my stillness.
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With harmony and light,
K. N. Jackson| Team Hermonious
Let's Reflect
Comment below:
How might your life shift if you gave yourself full permission to rest today?
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