Realities of Rest
Everyone is posting about rest: why isn’t anyone rested?
You’ve probably heard of Frequency Bias, or more formally the Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon. It’s where you frequently identify something you’ve recently learned, or begun paying attention, to everywhere you go*.
It appears that the topic of rest is trending. It appears rest is now… trendy? It might even be a buzzword…!
Initially, I self-diagnosed Frequency Bias (because my work is about resting after all) but as the weeks lead up to year end, I’ve been seeing more and more content with the 4 letter word overlaid on top of a contemporary color palette framed by abstract shapes, or thrown in a caption underneath a perfectly touched up product feature. My immediate reaction is a simultaneous “Yeah!” and also hesitant, “Um…”
The enthusiasm feels like hopeful expansion in seeing the opportunity for community care and liberation through a growing, conscious consideration for rest in various corners of the internet. And the apprehensive distaste is an uncomfortable, visceral sense of resistance acknowledging there are many passengers riding by on the loud Performative Content Train, smoothly chugging along the railways of social media. It’s an insidious vehicle that travels far and wide. Internalized capitalism, patriarchy and white supremacy breed through only knowing to extract and always marketed in only the most attractive ways: rest is a noun. Namely, “Get more rest” or “add rest to the self-care list!”. Rest as another thing to do or get. Choo, choo.
It’s a hard reality that resting is multifaceted because it demands capacity for paradoxes and dualities, and that’s a real struggle for a lot of people. So many want (plan to) rest, yet it’s not happening effectively— for some it’s not happening at all— especially if you are Black, Indigenous or a person of color. The understatement of the year is to say that 2020 has been both brilliant and overwhelmingly challenging on many levels, measurable and immeasurable. However, no one can deny that it has show us how resiliently human and delusional we can be.
Approaching the end of the calendar year, I’ve been clearing out and getting clear through reflection, research and reimagination; there are no realms of my life that are exempt. In the new year, you’ll witness and experience changes, some small and some a lot bigger. You may have already noticed one: I cancelled our community event on December 10th to honor the paramount need to be resting offline instead. Despite the offering being a nourishing opportunity to gather, explore and grow together apart, it wasn’t the right time or place.
My dedication to my work for real resting grows stronger roots day by day and it took me half a year to recognize that restfulness is also decolonial. All bodies have the birthright to be rested without the denial of realities no matter how raw and no matter how long “it’s always been that way”. I am especially acknowledging that to be rested individually is a partial aspect to full community care; we can all be rested when we dismantle systems of oppression through reformation, justice, equity and evolution. It must start within each of us and not end there. For each whole humxn: there are no shortcuts because this is not about instant satisfaction or fleeting reminders. Haven’t done that yet, won’t be starting ever. Real resting and restedness are intersectional.
You may have noticed the The Rested Revolution isn’t called The Rest Revolution. You’re someone who pays attention, you’re here right now.
The Rested Revolution wasn’t birthed because people needed to know that rest is important. We all already know it like we know we are humxn beings. (Yes, that is a cheeky remark.)
The Rested Revolution was birthed for us to remember we are able to choose being and becoming rested as a way of moving through the world and how we treat people- starting with ourselves. That being rested requires more than thinking, talking and knowing; it requires understanding, within and without. It is felt, touched and embodied to begin to honor our vitality as living organisms; as sovereign humxns; as intentional leaders who understand all our choices have impact; as a rejection of systems of oppression that seek to tell you you need something/someone else more outside of you to be worthy and well in your modern existence. Restedness is a way to reduce harm and resistance within ourselves, and our community, through care.
And revolutions? They require revolting. You ready to rally?
Being rested holds unique signatures (mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually) for everyone, in addition to our lived experiences and needs. A lot of us can liken restedness to feeling ready to respond; energized to take action; calm; grounded; content; and peaceful. What does being rested feel like in you?
Join us in our next community events to experience multi-modality restedness (via the button in the top right corner) or get in touch below to become rested with me through personalized coaching and treatments. As your Personal Rest Guide, I’m here to support effective, meaningful and sustainable integrations in your unique life aligned with your needs, values and priorities. You don’t have to buy the growth or live the life of success you want through exhaustion and burnout. May we remember that truly thriving does not cost our wellbeing.
You’re needed wholly you and rested. Now more than ever.
