“You do not have to earn your right to rest.”

Somewhere along the way, a lot of us learned to feel guilty for sitting down.

If we are not working, fixing, cleaning, planning, helping, answering, cooking, checking on somebody, or handling one more thing, we start feeling like we should be doing something.

And baby, sometimes the something you need to be doing is absolutely nothing.

Rest is not laziness.

Rest is not failure.

Rest is not proof that you are falling behind.

Sometimes rest is the most responsible thing you can give yourself.

Your body needs a break.

Your mind needs quiet.

Your spirit needs room to breathe.

You cannot keep pouring from yourself every single day and expect there to always be something left.

And no, running on fumes is not a personality trait.

You are allowed to have a day where you move slowly.

You are allowed to turn the phone over.

You are allowed to leave a text unanswered for a little while.

You are allowed to take a nap without feeling like you need to explain it.

You are allowed to sit on the couch, drink something warm, stare out the window, and let the world keep spinning without your supervision.

Everything does not need your attention today.

That to-do list will still be there.

The laundry will survive.

The dishes are not going anywhere.

And believe me, somebody will still find something to ask you tomorrow.

Rest today anyway.

Sometimes we think productivity only counts when there is something visible to show for it.

But healing is productive.

Thinking is productive.

Sleeping is productive.

Getting your nervous system out of survival mode is productive.

Sitting quietly long enough to hear your own thoughts is productive.

Even doing nothing can serve a purpose when your soul has been carrying too much.

So on this Sunday, give yourself permission to slow down without guilt.

You do not always have to be preparing for the next thing.

You do not always have to prove how strong you are.

You can simply exist.

Breathe.

Be grateful for what you made it through this week.

Let your shoulders drop.

Let your mind settle.

And allow yourself to receive the same care you are so quick to give everybody else.

Rest is not something you earn after breaking yourself. It is part of how you keep yourself whole.

If this reminder found you at the right time today, share it with someone who needs permission to slow down.

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Rest your body. Quiet your mind. Feed your spirit. Tomorrow will come soon enough.

— Kashmere Koko